Page 17 - ZSG Bordmagazin 2020 - Zürichsee Schifffahrt

Insight
What international status does the festival have after 15 years? The “Hollywood Reporter”, the most influential trade magazine in the film industry, places us among the ten most important festivals. I myself prefer to describe
it as a boutique festival – we aim for quality, not just quantity. What has remained unchanged is the fervour, the passion and the professionalism of everyone in- volved. And we do everything possible to ensure that the producers, the stars and also the actors feel welcome.
What does that mean? Well, for years my work regularly required me to visit other countries, impersonal cities. So I know how hugely important it is to feel looked after when you’re in a strange place. That’s why the festival employs around 60 assistants to ensure the welfare of our guests throughout their stay.
How significant is the city for the festival’s success? With its wonderful scenery along the river Limmat and the historic centre by the lake, Zurich is a wonderful place for combining business and pleasure. Our guests often comment on the politeness and respect with which they are met. I’ve heard stars such as Hugh Grant say they would love to just stay here, in Zurich’s old town. That’s what I like too, this atmosphere of live and let live.
What role does the lake play in all of this? The best way to answer that is with an anecdote relating to Oliver Stone. He’s been here five times already – and that’s no coincidence of course. On a fine day during his first visit, we took him down the lake to the Au peninsula. There, we sat by the water with a picnic basket and drank wine from plastic cups. The view across the lake, the Alps – it was unforgettable. The Sechseläutenplatz, the main location and hub of the festival, is also by the lake ... I wanted to be in the heart of the city. The atmospheric lake, the hotels, the proximity to several cinemas – I couldn’t imagine a better place.
Is that also why the festival uses one of the boats of the Lake Zurich Navigation Company (ZSG) as a location for some of its events?
The ZSG boat is perfect for client events during the festival. We’ve always felt it’s important to use venues that are a bit different, a bit special and therefore more memorable. Moreover, the boat is stationed at the very heart of the festival. It’s a real eye-catcher and a popular location for our guests.
Now you’re moving on. What’s next? As an entrepreneur, I gave all my energy and attention to the festival. It took blood, sweat and tears to help make it into what it is today. There was no time to forge other plans. I can see myself in many different roles, but I’d like to take my time and see what develops. It’s fine to plan ahead, but life has taught me that things rarely turn out the way you expect them to. fb
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DIREKTORIN DES ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL SAGT GOODBYE
Nadja Schildknecht gründete vor
15 Jahren mit ihrem Geschäfts- partner Karl Spoerri das Zurich Film Festival – und etablierte Zürich damit als fixe Grösse in der inter- nationalen Festival-Landschaft. 2019 verabschiedete sie sich von ihrer Rolle als Direktorin. Im Interview wirft sie einen liebevollen Blick zurück:
auf «ihr» Festival und auf die Limmat- stadt, die dem Anlass auch in Zukunft eine würdige Kulisse bieten wird.
16. Zurich Film Festival:
24.09. – 4.10.2020
zff.com
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Bilder: Archiv ZSG, Zurich Film Festival