Locarno Is a Beacon for Independent Thought and Cinematic Experimentation

The Locarno Film Festival is a unique ecosystem in the current landscape of international film festivals. Recognized for its artistic credibility and rigor, it is known for embracing cinema that challenges and redefines the way we understand the art of storytelling and the world around us. In a time when film is undergoing profound transformations – in the technological and economic spheres – Locarno continues to stand as a beacon for independent thought and cinematic experimentation.

The immediacy of film as a medium, its ability to combine images, sound, time, and movement, allows it to transcend barriers of language, geography, and cultures. It allows audiences not only to feel deeply, but also to think critically. The Festival celebrates this power by championing films that do not simply conform to formulaic or commercial expectations, inviting viewers into a space of discovery where the emotional and intellectual potential of film is taken seriously, where questions are more important than answers, and where the audience is respected as a participant rather than a consumer.

In an age defined by instability, new languages and new narratives are essential. It is only by reimagining how stories are told that we can begin to make sense of a world in flux. Supporting emerging talent is therefore central to our mission. Locarno’s commitment to both emerging and established filmmakers is more than a gesture; it is a foundation of our Festival’s identity. Through initiatives like Locarno Pro, Open Doors, Base Camp, and competitive sections dedicated to young voices, the Festival provides not simply a platform but a genuine launching pad for the next generation of global storytellers. These are the artists and performers who will shape the emotional and intellectual landscape of tomorrow, who will find new ways to reflect and respond to the complexities of their time.

In a world of repetition and simulation, of saturation and distraction, Locarno plays a crucial role in protecting and promoting spaces of artistic risk and formal challenge. Creativity, after all, is not a luxury – it is a necessity. As such, Locarno remains not just relevant, but urgent – an essential space where cinema’s past comes up against its future, and where the pulse of change can be felt in every frame.

The 78th Locarno Film Festival promises to be an ambitious and exciting edition. In 2025, our forward-thinking program will continue to be the bridge that connects distinct worlds and perspectives, and the contemporary filmmaking and groundbreaking storytelling on display mark a festival that is in full creative bloom. In turn, the Piazza Grande will once again be transformed into a space of shared emotion, while numerous other initiatives and spaces of exchange continue to reflect our enduring commitment to the future of cinema.

More than a celebration, Locarno78 is a defense of cinema as a living, evolving form of art.

Maja Hoffmann
President of the Locarno Film Festival