Locarno Film Festival addresses indie cinema economics and AI

The 79th Locarno Film Festival highlighted the economic challenges and creative identity of independent cinema. Data presented by Stephen Follows revealed that only 3.4% of independent films are profitable, with only 33% of those reaching cinemas turning a profit, compared to 50% for studio productions.

Industry experts at the festival discussed the role of technology, emphasizing that generative AI should be used strictly as a logistical and marketing tool rather than a creative agent. Producer Jaume Ripoll and Lucky Red founder Andrea Occhipinti advocated for a “People First” approach, suggesting that independent cinema should focus on creating unpredictable, human-centered stories that algorithms cannot replicate.

In the festival's competitive programming, the Romanian film “You Don’t Belong Here” was awarded the Golden Leopard. Other notable entries included the Portuguese-Swiss co-production “O Jacaré” and the English-Swiss production “Frank & Louis,” which won the Audience Award.