Locarno International Film Festival

About Locarno International Film Festival

The Locarno International Film Festival, held each August in the beautiful Swiss city of Locarno, is one of the world's oldest and most artistically ambitious film festivals. Founded in 1946, Locarno has always positioned itself at the avant-garde of world cinema — consistently championing formal experimentation, debut features, and films from regions underrepresented at other major festivals.

The festival's most iconic image is the outdoor screening in the Piazza Grande, where up to 8,000 audience members watch films under the stars — a setting that gives Locarno an irreplaceable quality of cinematic communalism. The Golden Leopard (Pardo d'Oro) is awarded to the best film in Competition, and winners have included filmmakers as diverse as Pedro Costa, Hong Sangsoo, and Hou Hsiao-hsien.

Locarno is particularly well-regarded for its commitment to debut features, experimental cinema, and films from Asia, Latin America, and Africa. The Open Doors program specifically supports cinema from regions with limited production infrastructure, making Locarno one of the most globally inclusive of all major international festivals.

A Filmmaker's Guide to Locarno International Film Festival

Locarno accepts submissions through its official portal for its Concorso Internazionale (main competition) and all satellite sections. Submissions open in the spring for the August festival. Films must be world or international premieres not previously screened in competition at other major festivals.

The Cineasti del Presente (Filmmakers of the Present) section is dedicated to debut and sophomore features, and it is here that many of the most exciting new voices in world cinema are first discovered. The Pardi di Domani section programs short films and students' films in competition.

Locarno's Piazza Grande section programs bigger films under the stars — including genre films, classics, and major international productions — alongside the competition. The Fuori Concorso section provides out-of-competition screenings for significant works.

What Programmers Look For

Locarno prizes formal invention and directorial vision over narrative accessibility. The festival has a well-established taste for minimalist, elliptical filmmaking, long-take aesthetics, and films that challenge passive spectatorship. It is one of the few major festivals where a film can win the Golden Leopard without having conventional narrative structure.

Debut features are a particular priority — Locarno has launched more debut filmmakers than almost any other major festival. Films that demonstrate original vision in their first or second feature, regardless of budget or production context, are consistently favored.

The Selection Process

Locarno's Artistic Director and programming team make all selection decisions. The competition typically includes around 20 films, selected from thousands of submissions and festival scouting. The Jury is composed of five to seven international film professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is Locarno?

A: Locarno is held annually in August, running for eleven days. It typically takes place in the second week of August.

Q: What is special about Locarno's Piazza Grande?

A: The Piazza Grande is a 8,000-seat outdoor screening space in the heart of Locarno, where films are projected on a massive screen each night. It is one of the most iconic screening experiences in world cinema.

Q: Does Locarno support new filmmakers?

A: Locarno has an exceptional commitment to new talent. The Cineasti del Presente competition is exclusively for debut and second features. The Open Doors hub supports filmmakers from developing regions with dedicated screenings, mentorship, and co-production support.

Q: What does the Golden Leopard mean for a filmmaker?

A: Winning the Golden Leopard at Locarno is a major career credential that validates artistic risk-taking. While it may not generate the commercial machinery of a Palme d'Or or Grand Jury Prize, it establishes a filmmaker as a serious artistic voice recognized by one of cinema's most respected institutions.

Q: Are there industry events at Locarno?

A: Yes — Locarno Pro is the festival's dedicated industry program, offering market screenings, co-production forums, workshops, and networking events for film professionals.

Submit Your Film

Ready to submit to Locarno International Film Festival? You can submit your film directly at https://filmfreeway.com/LocarnoPardo. Review all submission guidelines carefully, ensure your materials are complete, and submit early to give your film the best chance of a thorough review. We look forward to seeing your work.