Panels, Roundtables, Workshops and Keynotes

11:15am CEST

StepIn – Out of the Box Intro

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Making Movies that Save Lives 

Locarno Pro Center @Hotel Belvedere, Sala Granda
Open to industry and press badge holders, recorded.

11:45am CEST

StepIn - Opening Panel

Moderated by THE CATALYSTS’ founder AC Coppens, the opening panel will introduce some of the topics of StepIn 2025 through the points of view and experiences of three remarkable panelists. 

Locarno Pro Center @Hotel Belvedere, Sala Granda 
Open to industry and press badge holders, recorded.

5:00pm CEST

StepIn - Wrap Up Session

Locarno Pro Center @Hotel Belvedere, Sala Granda

Open to industry and press badge holders, recorded.

6:15PM CEST

Locarno Residency Final Pitch

Final pitch of the three projects developed during the third edition of the Locarno Residency.

Locarno pro Center @Hotel Belvedere, Sala Granda
Open to industry and press badge holders.

1:00PM CEST

SWISS FILMS TALK: Innovative marketing strategies for Swiss films 

How can Swiss films reach a wider audience? Get inspired by three innovative marketing campaigns for upcoming releases. The SWISS FILMS showcase is followed by a Q&A.  

Davide Campari Lounge @Magnolia, open to the public.
In German and French with simultaneous interpreting into English, followed by an aperitif. 

9:00am CEST

Swiss financing opportunities for independent films

A panoramic of the main Film financing option in Switzerland for Swiss international co-productions.

Locarno Pro Center @Hotel Belvedere Locarno, Sala Granda 
Open to Industry badge holders only, recorded.

10:30am CEST

Alliance 4 Development Pitching Session

Discover the 11 projects selected at Alliance 4 Development, the co-development platform for film projects from Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

Locarno Pro Center @Hotel Belvedere Locarno, Sala Granda
Open to the public.

3:00pm CEST

Story Lab Pitching Session

Discover fresh ideas: Story Lab participants will present their projects to the industry in a pitching session. 

Organized by Migros-Kulturprozent

Locarno Pro Center @Hotel Belvedere Locarno, Sala Granda
Open to the public.   

4:30pm CEST

Co-financing and co-production opportunities in Canada

Discover the landscape of public film funding in Canada.

Locarno Pro Center @Hotel Belvedere Locarno, Sala Granda
Open to the public, recorded.   

11:00am CEST

Building sustainable film ecosystems in Africa: financing the future

Bringing together film practitioners from the continent and beyond, the panel explores innovative funding models, co-production strategies, and market development initiatives transforming African cinema.

Locarno Pro Center @Hotel Belvedere Locarno, Sala Granda
Open to industry badge holders only, recorded.  

12.00pm CEST

The Producer – Director Relationship

A conversation between Ed Guiney (Element Pictures) and Radu Jude.
Moderated by Allison Gardner (Glasgow Films) 

Locarno Pro Center @Hotel Belvedere Locarno, Sala Granda 
Open to Industry badge holders only, recorded. 

2:00pm CEST

Film financing incentives in Switzerland: what’s new?

A report of the 1st year of the new Investment obligation in Switzerland and the new regional funding landscape. 

FORUM @Spazio Cinema 
Open to the public, live streaming, recorded.  

3:00pm CEST

Public Meets Private: Rethinking Financing Strategies for Independent Film in Europe

A discussion on the current landscape of independent film production in Europe that explores how combining public and private funding could enhance its competitiveness.

Locarno Pro Center @Hotel Belvedere Locarno, Sala Granda 
Open to Industry badge holders only, recorded. 

5.00pm CEST

Locarno Pro Awards Ceremony

During the Locarno Pro Awards Ceremony, the winner of the Heritage Restoration Contest, Alliance 4 Development, First Look on Canada Awards are announced, gathering all participants onsite.

Locarno Pro Center @Hotel Belvedere Locarno, Sala Granda

Open to Industry badge holders only.

10.00am CEST

Heritage Monday Roundtable – Promotional strategies for Classic Films today

How to reach the audience for Classic Films in the current promotional landscape, with Streamers and Social Tools acting as new search engines.  

@Residenza al Parco
Open to Industry badge holders only, recorded. 

9:45am CEST

Open Doors Award Ceremony

On the last day in Locarno, a professional jury and partner initiatives grant financial or in-kind awards to a few winning projects.

Forum @Spazio Cinema

Open to the public