Zurich Film Festival Embarks on New Era With Director-Led Buyout
Jungen is joined in the buyout by festival vice director Reta Guetg, Swiss entrepreneur and TV host Max Loong, long-time ZFF President Felix E. Müller, and finance expert Marek Skreta. The new owners plan to take the Zurich festival to the next level, elevating the event to the top tier of European film festivals.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
The Summer of Sarah Niles: 'F1' Star on the "Theater" of Racing and Tom Cruise's Reaction: He Was "on the Edge of His Seat"
'Squid Game' Star Yim Si-Wan on Learning to "Love the Hate" Fans Feel for His Character
Bob Vylan Dropped From Europe Music Festivals in Wake of "Death to the IDF" Controversy
'I am excited to lead the ZFF into a new era together with our current team and new owners who love cinema and know the festival inside out,' said Jungen in a statement. 'We are a Zurich-based solution that has the trust of our partners and the filmmaking community. We are thinking big and we are thinking internationally. Our goal is to position the ZFF as one of Europe's premier film events, where audiences can see the films and stars that will go on to win Oscars later in the season. We want to bring joy and a celebratory atmosphere to the city and host a festival that Zurich can be proud of. To achieve this, we will secure new private partners and expand support from foundations, donors, and public institutions.'
NZZ, which acquired the Zurich film festival ten years ago, will remain a key partner for the next three years, the new owners said. NZZ CEO Felix Graf described the move as a step toward further professionalization while preserving the festival's existing framework.
The new leadership team combines deep festival experience with international business acumen. Jungen has overseen the ZFF's artistic direction since 2019, after spending a decade as a journalist at NZZ. Guetg, who has led industry and programming at ZFF for ten years, brings strong ties to the international film community. Müller, also editor-in-chief of NZZ am Sonntag, authored a book on the ZFF's history and is a central figure in Swiss cultural life. Loong and Skreta add expertise in sponsorship, hospitality, and global festival strategy, with Skreta having ties to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
The ZFF, which drew 140,000 visitors last year, will stage its 21st edition Sept. 25-Oct. 5.
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience
Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best
13 of Tom Cruise's Most Jaw-Dropping Stunts
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Explore $57M Pebble Beach home with ocean-to-fairway views, may hit sales record
One of the most valuable street-to-sea parcels along the California coast — with unobstructed views from the ocean to Pebble Beach Golf Links' legendary 18th fairway and beyond — may set a sales record at the listing price of $57.5 million, according to Sotheby's International Realty. The highest residential sale ever recorded in Pebble Beach, along the Central Coast, stands at $45 million, according to a representative of Sotheby's. 'Gem Cove' is located on two lots on a 2.24-acre, oceanfront parcel adjacent to The Lodge at Pebble Beach. The property also takes in views of Stillwater Cove, Carmel Beach and Point Lobos. 'Truly a once-in-a-lifetime opening to secure your position in one of the most sought-after areas in the world,' the property listing states. 'This unforgettable European-esque estate is guaranteed to astound, impress and amaze the most astute buyer.' The residence, built in 2003, with six bedrooms and a total of 10 bathrooms, sprawls across 11,223 square feet of living space. The property hit the market Monday. 'From the substantial living room to the chef's kitchen/great room, the expansive primary bedroom suite to the expertly curated grounds, all with big ocean views — you will love living here, entertaining family and hosting guests at this prestigious estate,' according to the listing. Canning Properties Group of Sotheby's International Realty – Carmel Brokerage holds the listing. The primary owners of the home are Carl H. Lindner III and Martha Lindner, according to public property records. Lindner is part of a U.S. billionaire family, CEO of American Financial Group, and a majority owner and CEO of the MLS soccer team FC Cincinnati.
UPI
2 hours ago
- UPI
'What's Happening!!' star Danielle Spencer dies at 60
Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Former actor Danielle Spencer died Monday at age 60, CBS 6 in Richmond, Va., and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed. Spencer became a veterinarian in Los Angeles after graduating Tuskegee University in 1993. She practiced in Richmond since 2014 and played a veterinarian in the 1997 film As Good As It Gets. As a child actor, she played Dee on What's Happening!! From 1976 to 1979. She reprised the role in the '80s revival What's Happening Now! Her What's Happening!! co-star Haywood Nelson announced her death on Instagram and confirmed it to The Hollywood Reporter. "We celebrate Danielle Spencer and her contributions as we regret to inform her departure and transition from a long battle with cancer," Nelson wrote. "We have lost a daughter, sister, family member, 'What's Happening' cast member, veterinarian animal rights proponent and healer, and cancer heroine." Dr. Spencer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. She died at a Richmond hospital of cancer. Notable deaths of 2025 Astronaut Jim Lovell, commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission to the moon, died August 8, 2025, in Illinois, his family announced. He was 97. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Business Wire
2 hours ago
- Business Wire
Funko Appoints Josh Simon Chief Executive Officer
EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Funko, Inc. (Nasdaq: FNKO), a leading pop culture lifestyle brand, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Josh Simon as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2025. He succeeds Interim CEO, Mike Lunsford. Simon has also been appointed to the Funko Board of Directors, effective on the same date. 'Josh is an exceptional leader and his extensive experience in entertainment and consumer products is exactly what Funko needs in its next CEO,' said Charles Denson, Chairman of the Board of Funko. 'Moreover, he brings expertise in operations, licensing and strategy, gained while serving in senior leadership roles at such esteemed companies as Netflix, Nike, and The Walt Disney Company. We are delighted to have him as our CEO as we work to maximize the significant growth opportunities ahead.' On his appointment, Simon said, 'I am honored to join the team at Funko, an iconic company with a huge fan base that I admire and respect. Pop culture - and people's desire to connect with the lifestyle brands they love - is stronger today than ever. There are so many ways we can build on Funko's fandom and expand our business for the benefit of both customers and shareholders.' Simon joins Funko following more than five years at Netflix, where he served as Vice President, Consumer Products, overseeing its global merchandise business, live experiences, and the Roald Dahl Story Company. Simon built and scaled the division, creating a broad range of products for Netflix's biggest titles, such as Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Squid Game and dozens of other titles. He also launched its first e-commerce platform for consumer products and managed relationships with the world's largest retailers, including Walmart, Target, Primark and more. Additionally, Simon oversaw the growth of Netflix's Experiences business, launching more than 40 unique experiences across 300 cities around the world. Prior to Netflix, Simon held several senior management roles of increasing responsibility at Nike, most recently as the Vice President and Head of Global Strategy for product, design, merchandising and categories. Earlier, he held roles overseeing feature film production and development at The Walt Disney Company's Motion Picture Group and the DreamWorks-based Color Force Productions and in Disney's corporate strategy and development group. Simon holds a B.A. in economics from Harvard University. About Funko: Funko is a leading global pop culture lifestyle brand, with a diverse collection of brands, including Funko, Loungefly, and Mondo, and an industry-leading portfolio of licenses. Funko delivers industry-defining products that span vinyl figures, micro-collectibles, fashion accessories, apparel, action toys, high-end art, music collectibles, among others, many of which are at the forefront of the growing Kidult economy. Through these products, which include the iconic original Pop! line, Bitty Pop!, and Pop! Yourself, Funko inspires fans across the globe to express their passions, build community, and have fun. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Washington state, Funko has offices, retail locations, operations, and licensed partnerships in major consumer geographies across the globe. Learn more at and follow us on TikTok, X, and Instagram. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's growth opportunities, future financial results and strategy. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: our ability to execute our business strategy; our ability to manage our inventories and growth; risks relating to our indebtedness, including our ability to comply with financial and negative covenants under our Credit Agreement, as amended, and our ability to continue as a going concern; our ability to maintain and realize the full value of our license agreements; impacts from economic downturns; changes in the retail industry and markets for our consumer products; our ability to maintain our relationships with retail customers and distributors; our ability to compete effectively; fluctuations in our gross margin and seasonal impacts; our dependence on content development and creation by third parties; the ongoing level of popularity of our products with consumers; our ability to develop and introduce products in a timely and cost-effective manner; our ability to obtain, maintain and protect our intellectual property rights or those of our licensors; potential violations of the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with counterfeit versions of our products; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and maintain our corporate culture; our use of third-party manufacturing; risks associated with climate change; increased attention to sustainability and environmental, social and governance initiatives; geographic concentration of our operations; risks associated with our international operations, including risks related to tariffs and trade restrictions; changes in effective tax rates or tax law; our dependence on vendors and outsourcers; risks relating to government regulation; risks relating to litigation, including products liability claims and securities class action litigation; any failure to successfully integrate or realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or investments; future development and acceptance of blockchain networks; risks associated with receiving payments in digital assets; risk resulting from our e-commerce business and social media presence; our ability to successfully operate our information systems and implement new technology; our ability to secure additional financing on favorable terms or at all; the potential for our or our third-party providers' electronic data or the electronic data of our customers to be compromised; the influence of our significant stockholder, TCG, and the possibility that TCG's interests may conflict with the interests of our other stockholders; risks relating to our organizational structure; including the Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA") which confers certain benefits upon the parties to the TRA ("TRA Parties") that will not benefit Class A common stockholders to the same extent as it will benefit the TRA Parties; volatility in the price of our Class A common stock; and risks associated with our internal control over financial reporting. These and other important factors discussed under the caption 'Risk Factors' in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
