Michel Merkt

Producer

Copyright: Cécile Burban

Born in 1972 in Geneva, Switzerland. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has produced and financed more than 100 auteur films, including the 2017 Swiss Oscar entry MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI. He has repeatedly collaborated with numerous talents from the international film industry throughout his career, including Marco Bellocchio, Xavier Dolan, David Cronenberg, Jacques Audiard, Paul Verhoeven, Lucrecia Martel, Valeska Grisebach and Kleber Mendonça Fillho. In 2020 he stepped down as a producer to become a consultant for festivals and public and private bodies. He was awarded the Golden Eye career achievement at the 2023 edition of the Zurich Film Festival. He is also currently a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, as well as a member of the Producers Branch A2025 Subcommittee promoting diversity at the Oscars.

Filmography
(a selection)

Producer

2019
Les hirondelles de Kaboul by Zabou Breitman, Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec
2019
Inherit the Viper by Anthony Jerjen
2017
The Song of Scorpions by Anup Singh
2017
Les Gardiennes by Xavier Beauvois
2016
Miséricorde by Fulvio Bernasconi
2016
Ma vie de Courgette by Claude Barras
2016
Full House by Quentin Bocksberger
2015
As mil e uma noites by Miguel Gomes
2013
Samarkande by Christophe Arnould
2012
Opération Libertad by Nicolas Wadimoff
2011
Les mécréants by Mohcine Besri
2009
Persée by Thomas Queille

Awards

(a selection)

2023
Zurich, Zurich Film Festival, Career Achievement Award (Winner)
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