STORY LAB MEETS ZFF ACADEMY 2022

The Migros Culture Percentage Story Lab collaborated with the ZFF Academy for the second time. As part of the 18th Zurich Film Festival, producer and director Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow) was invited to give an exclusive masterclass in world-building to the Story Lab members and ZFF Academy talents. In a small group setting, Emmerich explained how he brings fictional universes to the big screen, and took the time to answer participants’ questions. The filmmakers were then able to pitch their own ideas and projects to experts Marta Balaga and David Luisi during a 30-second elevator ride from the top floor to the ground floor. Great emphasis was also given to providing the filmmakers with networking opportunities: during the subsequent drinks reception, they eagerly swapped new ideas and discussed new collaborations.

Impressions

The Zurich Film Festival has been hosting the ZFF Academy (formerly the ZFF Master Class) since 2006 in an effort to bring together as many talented filmmakers as possible. Every year, gifted producers, directors and/or scriptwriters from around the world are selected from hundreds of applicants to take part in the five-day talent-promotion programme.