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Shamberg Produced Dramedy WISH I WAS HERE selected as Gala Premiere, Joining A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES

Zurich, Switzerland – August 27, 2014 – Two-time Oscar® nominated producer Michael Shamberg (“Erin Brochovich,” “Pulp Fiction,” “The Big Chill,” Contagion,” “A Fish Called Wanda,” “Django Unchained”) will be the recipient of The Zurich Film Festival’s coveted ‘Golden Eye’ award for lifetime achievements in cinema at this year’s Festival, celebrating its 10^th anniversary and taking place September 25^th – Oct 5^th.

The Career Achievement Award tribute will take place on Friday, September 26^th with Shamberg in attendance to accept the award. The Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher produced dramedy “Wish I Was Here” starring Zach Braff and Kate Hudson, which was also written  and directed by Braff, has been selected to screen in the Gala Premieres section of the Festival, joining another Shamberg and Sher produced film, “A Walk Among the Tombstones,” which will be presented at the Festival by the film’s star Liam Neeson.

“We are honored to welcome Michael Shamberg, one of the most innovative producers in contemporary Hollywood, to Zurich and are delighted that he will share two of his latest films with our audience,” said Zurich Film Festival co-directors Karl Spoerri and Nadja Schildknecht.

Michael Shamberg’s award-winning body of work spans more than four decades and crosses many different genres, with such lauded films such as “Django Unchained,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Pulp Fiction,” and “The Big Chill” – all of which received Oscar® nominations for Best Picture. Other films include the true stories “World Trade Center,” “Freedom Writers,” “Man on the Moon,” and his latest project “Freeheld,” starring Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Michael Shannon, and Steve Carrell, which he is producing with Stacey Sher.

Shamberg’s impressive catalogue of hit films also includes the sci-fi dramas “Contagion” and Oscar® winner “Gattaca;” Zeitgeist comedies “Reality Bites” and the critically acclaimed “Garden State;” comedy/thrillers “Get Shorty,” and “Out of Sight,” the comedy “Along Came Polly,” and the classic “A Fish Called Wanda,” which earned an Oscar®.

Shamberg and Sher most recently wrapped an untitled chef comedy starring Bradley Cooper, Uma Thurman and Jamie Dornan, which was directed by John Wells. 

Outside of film, Shamberg also works in television, having executive produced the TV series “Reno 911.” Under his production company Double Feature Films, Shamberg is currently in pre-production on a futuristic martial arts series for AMC called “Badlands.”

Shamberg serves as an advisor to BuzzFeed Motion Pictures in producing online video that combines digital and Hollywood storytelling skills. 

Before working in the film industry, Shamberg was a police reporter in Chicago. He later moved to New York and joined Time Magazine. Quickly after, he transitioned into producing innovative documentaries for television.

About “Wish I Was Here”

“Wish I Was Here” is a comedy/drama co-written by Adam J. Braff and Zach Braff, who also directs and stars in the film alongside Kate Hudson, Joey King, and Pierce Gagnon.

The film is produced by Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher, Worldview Entertainment, and Adam and Zach Braff.

The film follows Aidan Bloom, a struggling actor, father and husband, who at 35 is still trying to find his identity; a purpose for his life. He winds up trying to home school his two children when his father can no longer afford to pay for private education and the only available public school is on its last legs. Through teaching them about life his way, Aidan gradually discovers some of the parts of himself he couldn't find.

About the Zurich Film Festival

Celebrating its special milestone 10th anniversary, the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) has established itself as one of the world’s top Films Festivals, discovering and promoting independent voices and talent from around the world, showcasing a diverse array of international films and serving as the setting for many World and European premieres.

The aim of the Zurich Film Festival is to offer audiences an insight into the work of young, upcoming filmmakers from around the globe and to promote the exchange of ideas between established film workers, young talent and the public.

ZFF is organized by Spoundation Motion Picture GmbH, based in Zurich, in cooperation with local institutions and sponsors. The Zurich Film Festival cooperates with numerous distributors and producers from Switzerland and abroad. The idea to found a festival in Zurich came from Karl Spoerri and Nadja Schildknecht, who serve as Directors of the Festival.

The Zurich Film Festival is generously supported by its main sponsors: Credit Suisse, upc cablecom, Die Schweizerische Post and Audi.

For more information please visit www.zff.com