LATE SHIFT enters the Oscar® race
Petra Volpe’s feature film is the official Swiss entry for the Academy Awards®
12.08.2025
The Swiss Federal Office of Culture (FOC) is submitting LATE SHIFT (HELDIN) as Switzerland’s official entry for a nomination in the International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards®. Since its world premiere at the Berlinale, Petra Volpe’s film has gone on to become a box office success.
The selection committee appointed by the FOC voted in favour of LATE SHIFT in its second round of deliberations. Following THE DIVINE ORDER, this is the second film by Petra Volpe and Zodiac Pictures to enter the Oscar race®.
As gripping as a thriller
LATE SHIFT celebrated its world premiere at the Berlinale in February 2025 as a Special Gala. Leonie Benesch stars in the lead role of Floria, a compassionate nurse whose hectic late shift turns into a race against time due to staff shortages. LATE SHIFT sheds light on the shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare sector and is a stirring tribute to a profession that is essential to society, yet little appreciated. The film ranked among the top 10 on the box-office in Switzerland for weeks and became a major success in German-speaking countries with more than 650,000 ticket sales. LATE SHIFT was listed among Letterboxd’s top 10 highest-rated narrative features for the first half of 2025.
Danish world sales company TrustNordisk has currently sold the film to more than 50 countries. Moreover, LATE SHIFT has been screened in cinemas in the UK and Ireland since the beginning of August and will be released in Italy on August 20. Further theatrical releases in France and Spain are scheduled for autumn.
Leonie Benesch shines in the lead role
German actress Leonie Benesch is internationally known for her roles in the Oscar-nominated films THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE and SEPTEMBER 5. Film critics were especially impressed by her authentic and empathetic portrayal of Floria. Cinematographer Judith Kaufmann, who has worked with Petra Volpe on multiple occasions, was honoured with the German Camera Award for LATE SHIFT.
Petra Volpe has been successful as a director and screenwriter in the USA and Europe for many years. Her feature film THE DIVINE ORDER was submitted by Switzerland for the Oscars in 2017. In mid-2025, she completed shooting her English-language debut FRANK & LOUIS. Both films were also produced by Zodiac Pictures.
LATE SHIFT is a Swiss-German coproduction by Zodiac Pictures in Zurich (Reto Schaerli, Lukas Hobi), MMC Zodiac GmbH in Cologne, SRF Swiss Radio and Television, and SRG SSR.
SWISS FILMS supports Oscar campaign
On behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Culture (FOC), the promotion agency SWISS FILMS coordinates the selection process for the official Swiss entry in the International Feature Film category of the Academy Awards and provides financial and communications support for the promotion campaign for Switzerland’s selection.
The shortlist, comprised of 15 films from the various countries that have been submitted for the International Feature Film category, will be announced by AMPAS on December 16, 2025, followed by the announcement of the five nominees on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards® (Oscars®) will take place in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026.
Download film stills und portrait of the director
Contact SWISS FILMS:
Andreas Bühlmann, Head of Festivals & Markets: abuehlmann@swissfilms.ch
Contact Zodiac Pictures:
Reto Schaerli, Producer: reto@zodiacpictures.com
Lukas Hobi, Producer: lukas@zodiacpictures.com
Contact World Sales TrustNordisk:
Susan Wendt, Managing Director: susan@trustnordisk.com
PRESS REVIEWS
“LATE SHIFT moves like a thriller.” – Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline
“Leonie Benesch is simply marvelous as a nurse on the edge” – Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline
“A pacy, empathetic workplace drama” – Guy Lodge, Variety
“Shocking hit film about overworked nurses that’s causing alarm across Europe.” – Deborah Cole, The Guardian
“Not just a normal hospital drama but a global cry for help.” – Fionnula Halligan, Screen International
“DP Judith Kaufmann turns the camera into Floria’s sympathetic companion, the fluent choreography of performers and camerawork is an exceptional feat.” – Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter
“A taut, empathetic drama that captures the stressful realities nurses face.” – Callum McLennan, Variety
Selection committee:
The members of this year’s selection committee included: jury president Joël Jent (Zurich – screenwriter); Carmen Jaquier (Geneva – director): Nicola Ruffo (Zurich – film promotion); Michel Merkt (Geneva – producer); Klaudia Reynicke (Lugano – director); Jean de Meuron (Basel/Zurich – director); Marie Leuenberger (Berlin – actress).
Statement by selection committee:
“A thoroughly gripping drama set in an understaffed surgical ward of a Swiss hospital. Petra Volpe centers her film around tireless yet overworked nurse Flora (masterfully interpreted by Leonie Benesch) who tries to keep everything afloat during one hectic late shift. A modest and devoted protagonist rises to become the heroine of her tense surroundings, making the point about the incredible challenges healthcare workers around the world are facing every day (and night).”