Zurich Film Festival

Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, the two founders of Sony Pictures Classics will be honoured with the Game Changer Award at the 18th Zurich Film Festival!

The Zurich Film Festival annually recognises outstanding personalities and pays tribute to industry leaders that not only cherish change but also embody the DNA of film and cinema. 

Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, the two founders and co-presidents of Sony Pictures Classics, aim to distribute thought-provoking, high-quality feature films and documentaries and promote the signature style of talented filmmakers. To date, they have received over 183 Academy Award Nominations, winning 41, for titles including Call Me By Your Name, Whiplash or Midnight in Paris. Further, the two studio bosses have popularised auteur filmmakers such as Asghar Farhadi, Wim Wenders and Pedro Almodóvar and introduced them to an American audience.

On Sunday, September 25, the Zurich Film Festival recognises their achievements when the pair will accept the Game Changer Award during the Zurich Summit Dinner.

“In addition to helping the successful launch of many important movies the Zurich Film Festival has always been a great place to meet, engage, and exchange ideas with filmmakers, distributors, and exhibitors. This award puts the focus on 30 years of Sony Pictures Classics movies and the talented filmmakers who made them. In our opinion, they are the real game changers and we share this award with them. Thank you Zurich Film Festival for the honor.” said Michael Barker and Tom Bernard of Sony Pictures Classics.

While attending the conference, the duo will hold a Game Changer Conversation during the Zurich Summit Conference on Saturday, 24. September 2022. Meet them and pick their brains by applying for an INDUSTRY Business Accreditation.