Benedict Cumberbatch to Receive Golden Eye Award at Zurich Film Festival
Acclaimed British actor Benedict Cumberbatch is set to be honored with the prestigious Golden Eye award at this year’s Zurich Film Festival. The two-time Oscar nominee will attend the festival in Zurich on September 29, where he will present his latest film, The Thing With Feathers, which he produced through his company, SunnyMarch, in collaboration with Lobo Films.
In addition to receiving the award, Cumberbatch will participate in the festival’s masterclass program, ZFF Masters. Festival director Christian Jungen praised Cumberbatch, stating, “Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the most versatile character actors of his generation. He comes from a theater background, excels in every role, and imbues his characters with emotional depth—whether as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game or as the superhero Doctor Strange in the Marvel universe.” Jungen expressed excitement about welcoming Cumberbatch to Zurich for the first time, both as an actor and as the producer of The Thing With Feathers.
This year marks a significant milestone for Cumberbatch, as seven of his films, dating from 2007’s Atonement to 2021’s The Power of the Dog, have previously been showcased at the Zurich Film Festival. "I am honored to be invited to the Zurich Film Festival to receive the Golden Eye Award," Cumberbatch said in a statement. "This festival plays a vital role in recognizing, encouraging, and supporting filmmakers from around the globe, with a focus on inspiring new talent—something I hold dear. I am thrilled to accept this special award."
Benedict Cumberbatch is a rare talent who has thrived across stage, television, and film, successfully navigating both mainstream and artistic projects. He is well-known for his roles as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC hit Sherlock and Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He also voiced the dragon Smaug in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy and portrayed Khan in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). Cumberbatch has received critical acclaim, including Best Actor Oscar nominations for his performances in Morten Tyldum’s The Imitation Game (2014) and Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog (2021). His versatility extends to supporting roles in films like Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave (2013) and Joe Wright’s Atonement (2007), and he recently showcased his comedic talent in Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme.
In The Thing With Feathers, which premiered at Sundance, Cumberbatch takes on both the starring and producing roles through SunnyMarch. Looking ahead, he will appear alongside Olivia Colman in the upcoming film The Roses, a modern British reboot of the 1989 black comedy classic The War of the Roses, directed by Jay Roach.
Stay tuned for more updates on Benedict Cumberbatch’s journey at the Zurich Film Festival and his upcoming projects!
