The Zurich Film Festival is set to honor Swiss director Petra Volpe with the prestigious Golden Eye Award on January 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. This recognition comes as a celebration of her film Late Shift, which is currently shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. The award ceremony will coincide with a special For Your Consideration (FYC) screening of the film.
Late Shift has resonated strongly with audiences, becoming a domestic box office success in Switzerland, where it attracted over 200,000 admissions. Released by Music Box in the United States, the film stars Leonie Benesch as Floria, a dedicated nurse navigating the challenges of an understaffed hospital ward while facing a critical and urgent situation on her shift.
Impact and Recognition
Volpe’s film debuted at the Berlin International Film Festival and has since been showcased at various prestigious festivals, including Locarno, Zurich, Camerimage, and Palm Springs. Its reception has sparked discussions in Switzerland regarding the working conditions in the nursing profession, positioning it as a key player in both cinematic and social discourse.
“Petra Volpe has once again succeeded with Late Shift in creating a socially realist auteur film that is firmly rooted in the present,” said Christian Jungen, CEO of the Zurich Film Festival. “In Switzerland, Late Shift became the most successful domestic film of the year, sparking a national debate about improving working conditions in the care sector.”
Jungen further emphasized the film’s contribution to public dialogue and its artistic merit, underscoring the festival’s decision to honor Volpe with the Golden Eye Award.
Volpe’s Vision and Future Projects
Expressing her gratitude for the award, Volpe stated, “We are incredibly grateful for this award and for the special recognition it represents. Late Shift continues to travel internationally and shows that Swiss cinema can have global impact.” She noted her personal connection to the Zurich Film Festival, having premiered her first feature film there.
Looking ahead, Volpe’s 2017 film, The Divine Order, was also selected as Switzerland’s entry for the Oscars. Her latest project, Frank & Louis, is an international co-production and marks her first English-language feature. It is set to screen at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The Los Angeles screening of Late Shift for members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will take place at Soho House, further solidifying the film’s presence in the international film landscape.
As the Oscar season approaches, Volpe’s work continues to garner attention, showcasing the depth and talent within Swiss cinema on a global stage.
