The 22nd Zurich Film Festival has picked Jennifer Peedom’s Everest drama “Tenzing” as its opening night film. The movie, which stars Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe, will have its European premiere on September 24, 2026, at the Kongresshaus in Zurich. The festival runs from September 24 to October 4, 2026.
The film tells the true story of Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa mountaineer from Nepal, and Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand climber, who became the first people to reach the top of Mount Everest in 1953. Genden Phuntsok plays Tenzing Norgay, while Tom Hiddleston takes on the role of Edmund Hillary.
A Perfect Match for This Year’s Festival Theme
Zurich Film Festival CEO Christian Jungen said the movie fits perfectly with this year’s festival motto, “dream big.” He explained that the opening film shows how people can grow beyond themselves when they have a big dream.
“This year’s Zurich Film Festival motto is ‘dream big.’ Our breathtaking opening film ‘Tenzing’ fits perfectly, because it shows how you can grow beyond yourself when you have a big dream.”
Jungen also pointed out that the film carries an important message for today. The first successful climb of Everest only happened because the climbers respected the local Sherpa people and the laws of nature.
What ‘Tenzing’ Is About
The movie follows Tenzing Norgay, a gifted climber from the Himalayas, who wants to be seen as more than just a helper for Western climbers. With support from his wife Dawa, played by Thinley Lhamo, he finds an ally in expedition secretary Jill Henderson, played by Caitríona Balfe. Together, they convince expedition leader Colonel John Hunt, played by Willem Dafoe, to let Tenzing join the British climbing team as a full member rather than just a supporter.
The story looks at the different ways people view Mount Everest. Western climbers see it as a mountain to conquer, but Tenzing respects it as Chomolungma, a sacred mother goddess. The climb is shaped by tensions of class, culture, and competing goals, along with the extreme dangers of the mountain itself.
Director Jennifer Peedom shared her thoughts on the film’s meaning.
“At its heart, ‘Tenzing’ is about a man who dared to imagine a life beyond the limits the world had placed on him, and the courage, sacrifice and belief it took to reach the highest point on earth. The spirit of ‘dream big’ feels incredibly fitting.”
The Cast and Crew
The film brings together a strong cast. Tom Hiddleston, known worldwide for playing Loki in the Marvel movies, plays Edmund Hillary. Willem Dafoe, whose career spans over four decades with films like “Platoon,” “The Florida Project,” and “Spider-Man,” plays Colonel John Hunt.
Genden Phuntsok takes on the title role of Tenzing Norgay. Caitríona Balfe, known from “Outlander,” plays expedition secretary Jill Henderson. Thinley Lhamo plays Tenzing’s wife Dawa.
The film is directed by Jennifer Peedom, an Australian filmmaker who has spent over two decades working in the Himalayas and on Everest. Her previous work includes the documentaries “Sherpa,” “Mountain,” and “River”. “Sherpa” won the Grierson Award for best documentary at the BFI London Film Festival and was nominated for a BAFTA.
Luke Davies wrote the screenplay based on a story by him and Peedom. The film is produced by Liz Watts, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, Peedom, Davies, and Desray Armstrong. Norbu Tenzing, Simon Gillis, and David Michôd serve as executive producers.
Festival Run and Release Dates
“Tenzing” will have its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in early September. It will then make its Canadian premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 15, 2026. The Zurich screening marks the film’s European premiere.
Hiddleston, Dafoe, and Peedom will all walk the green carpet in Zurich for the opening night gala.
For regular audiences, “Tenzing” will release in select theaters in the United States on October 9, 2026. It will then become available to stream globally on Apple TV+ on October 16, 2026.
The film is an Apple Original Films production.
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Background on the Historic Climb
The real-life event that inspired the film took place on May 29, 1953. Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary were part of the 1953 British Mount Everest expedition led by Colonel John Hunt. Their successful climb made them international heroes and marked a major moment in exploration history.
The film explores the little-known story of how Tenzing, a Sherpa from a modest background, fought for recognition and respect. It shows the cultural and class differences that existed within the expedition team and how Tenzing and Hillary eventually built a bond based on mutual respect and trust.
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