Noah Baumbach Honored at Zurich Film Festival 2025 with “A Tribute to…” Award
The Zurich Film Festival 2025 will celebrate acclaimed American self-reliant filmmaker Noah Baumbach, presenting him with the prestigious “A Tribute to…” Award. This recognition is bestowed annually upon figures who have considerably impacted contemporary cinema.
Baumbach will attend the festival to showcase his latest film, “Jay kelly”, which received acclaim at the Venice Film festival. A gala screening is scheduled for September 26th at the Kongresshaus, followed by a highly anticipated conversation with the director.
The “A Tribute to…” Award acknowledges Baumbach’s unique ability to portray the subtleties of family life, relationship dynamics, and the complexities of the creative class. His filmography, spanning from “The Squid and the Whale” to “Frances Ha”, “Marriage Story”, and “While We’re Young”, is characterized by rapid-fire dialog, vulnerable characters, and a blend of affection and disillusionment.
Festival Artistic Director Christian Jungen described Baumbach as “one of the most sharp observers of our time, capable of transforming the thinner tensions of everyday life into great cinematographic stories.” The award ceremony will be followed by a public discussion where Baumbach will discuss his career,the making of “Jay Kelly”,and the power of cinema to explore the human condition with sensitivity and precision.
“Jay Kelly” stars jason Schwartzman,Scarlett Johansson,laura Dern,Riley Keough,Greta Gerwig,Billy Crudup,Alba Rohrwacher,and Tilda Swinton. The film is described as a mature work exploring the condition of the actor, the interplay between public persona and private truth, and the weight of masks and the potential impossibility of self-escape.
Born in New York in 1969, Baumbach has established himself as a leading voice in contemporary American independent cinema. His work is known for its intimate and realistic portrayal of human relationships and family dynamics. While his films have previously been shown in Europe, his presence at the Zurich Film Festival signifies a broader international recognition of his artistic vision - a style that is both intellectual and accessible, elegant yet deeply emotional.
Baumbach’s participation represents a cinema that is reflective, questioning, and ultimately, hopeful, inviting audiences to engage with their own lives through tenderness, irony, and a touch of nostalgia.
