Locarno Film Festival Unveils 233 Films for 79th Edition

The 79th Locarno Film Festival will take place in Locarno, Switzerland from 5 to 15 August 2026. Organisers announced a programme of 233 films, including 103 world premieres and eight international premieres, representing productions from 69 countries. Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro highlighted the festival’s emphasis on cultural diversity, noting that the selection “covers family, community and the body as sites of identity exploration.”

The International Competition will feature 17 films, and the Swatch First Feature Award will be contested by eleven debut works. The Pardo for Change will recognise a film that addresses ecological, ethical or cultural issues. Notable attendees include director Darren Aronofsky, who receives a Pardo d’Onore, and filmmakers Olivia Wilde and James Gray. A new Locarno Kids Screenings section will showcase documentaries, animation and narrative works for audiences aged 8‑16, with a youth jury selecting the Kids Award winner. Open Doors screenings will present 13 films from Africa and other under‑represented regions.

The festival’s expanded lineup underscores its role as a global platform for emerging and established talent, offering a broad mix of documentary, experimental and narrative cinema.