The 2026 Zurich Film Festival has opened with the European premiere of *Tenzing*, an Apple drama about Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary’s historic 1953 ascent of Mount Everest. Tom Hiddleston, who plays Hillary, received the festival’s Golden Eye Award in recognition of his work across film, television, theatre and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Directed and written by Jennifer Peedom, the film places Norgay at the centre of the story, portraying his spiritual relationship with Everest alongside the expedition’s dangerous achievement. Willem Dafoe plays expedition leader Colonel John Hunt, while Hiddleston also discussed his early Marvel experiences and offered only a brief response about *Avengers: Doomsday*: “It is coming.” The festival runs from 24 September to 4 October and will also honour John Turturro and Julianne Moore.