Thousands of film fans and industry professionals meet at the Locarno Film Festival every summer to share their thirst for new discoveries and a passion for cinema in all its diversity.
In Locarno they find a quality program, rich, eclectic, surprising, and where emerging talent rubs shoulders with prestigious guests.
Locarno Film Festival started in 1946 and takes place in Locarno, Switzerland
The Asian-American independent drama film Rosemead directed by Eric Lin – produced by and starring Lucy Liu, recipient of Locarno78’s Career Achievement Award – has won the Prix du Public UBS, marking 25 years of the audience award at Locarno Film Festival.
Two Seasons, Two Strangers (Tabi to Hibi) by Sho Miyake has won the top prize – the Pardo d’Oro Golden Leopard in the International Competition at the 78th Locarno Film Festival.
Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof has been honored with the First Locarno City of Peace Award, established by the City of Locarno in collaboration with the Locarno Film Festival.
Writer-director Alexander Payne will receive the prestigious honorary leopard award, the Pardo d’Onore at the upcoming 78th Locarno Film Festival taking place from August 6-16, 2025. Payne will also present his films The Descendants and Nebraska and participate in a public discussion with the festival audience.
Actress Lucy Liu will be honored with the prestigious Career Achievement Award at the Locarno Film Festival and present the international premiere of Rosemead directed by Eric Lin, alongside the film’s cast and crew on the Piazza Grande. She will also engage in a public discussion with the festival audience at the Forum @Spazio Cinema.
Emma Thompson will be honored with the Leopard Club Award at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, where she will also world premiere her latest film, the action-thriller The Dead of Winter directed by Brian Kirk. The festival will take place from August 6 – 16, 2025.
Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh, known for his films that focus on the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, will serve as jury president of the international competition (Concorso Internazionale), that will decide the winner of the Pardo d’Oro – the Golden Leopard – at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, taking place from August 6-16, 2025.
Jackie Chan will honored with the prestigious career achievement award, Pardo alla Carriera at the upcoming 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival, taking place from August 6-16 2025.
The Lithuanian drama Toxic (Akiplėša) by Saulė Bliuvaitė is the winner of the Grand Prize, Golden Leopard, Pardo d’Oro of the International Competition (Concorso Internazionale) at the 77th Locarno Film Festival. The coming-of-age film follows two 13-year-olds who form a unique bond at a local modeling school, where the promise of a better life pushes girls to violate their bodies in increasingly extreme ways.
Five-time Academy Award-winning Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, given to film personalities with extraordinary careers, at this year’s 77th Locarno Film Festival.
Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro unveiled the official selections for the 77th Locarno Film Festival described as “bold, innovative, and vibrant as ever” competition titles alongside non-competitive sections. In addition, the Excellence Award Davide Campari, given to film personalities with extraordinary careers, will this year go to French actor-directors Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet.