The 21st Zurich Film Festival will honor U.S. director and screenwriter Noah Baumbach with its A Tribute To … Award for his body of work. The award will be presented to him on Sept. 26 during the gala premiere of his new film “Jay Kelly” at Zurich’s Kongresshaus. In addition, Baumbach will hold a public masterclass.
“With Noah Baumbach, we are honoring an auteur who has shaped U.S. cinema for decades with his subtle insight into human relationships and his precise powers of observation,” said Christian Jungen, Zurich’s festival director. “’Jay Kelly’ is, in my opinion, one of the outstanding films of the year and one of those works that, looking back, will be regarded as a masterpiece.”
Baumbach has been nominated for an Academy Award four times. In 2006, he was nominated for original screenplay for “The Squid and the Whale.” In 2020, “Marriage Story” received six nominations, including best picture for Baumbach and David Heyman, and original screenplay for Baumbach, with Laura Dern winning the Oscar for supporting actress. In 2024, Baumbach was nominated for adapted screenplay for “Barbie,” shared with Greta Gerwig.
“Time and again, Baumbach succeeds in blending intimate everyday stories with existential questions—brought to life by outstanding actors such as Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Nicole Kidman, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Dustin Hoffman and Greta Gerwig,” the festival said.
His new film remains true to the “comédie humaine,” the event said. “Jay Kelly” is a satire on the Hollywood star circus. George Clooney plays a famous movie actor, Jay Kelly, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery confronting both his past and present, accompanied by his devoted manager Ron (Adam Sandler). The film is considered one of the major Oscar contenders of the season. “Poignant and humor-filled, epic and intimate, ‘Jay Kelly’ is pitched at the intersection of life’s regrets and notable glories,” the fest said.
Baumbach’s films also include “Frances Ha,” “White Noise,” “The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected),” “While We’re Young,” “Mistress America,” “Greenberg,” “Margot at the Wedding,” “Kicking and Screaming” and the documentary “De Palma.” He co-wrote “Fantastic Mr. Fox” and “The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou” with Wes Anderson.
Previous recipients of the A Tribute To … Award include Edward Berger, Paolo Sorrentino, Wim Wenders, Olivier Assayas, Claire Denis, Michael Haneke, Oliver Stone, Maïwenn and Luca Guadagnino.
