The Locarno Investment Community is designed to bring independent film financiers – individuals, companies, and foundations – into direct engagement with the European film industry and Locarno Pro community. The initiative builds on Locarno Pro’s established network of filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals, expanding its reach to include independent film financiers.
The Locarno Film Festival is a platform where independent cinema and auteurs thrive and is therefore the perfect setting to establish a community of investors eager to support independent filmmaking and contribute to a thriving European production economy. Developed in collaboration with Oxbelly, a European nonprofit based in Greece that promotes collaboration between the US and EU through its newly launched Ambassadors initiative, this program offers a curated experience within the framework of the Festival, providing a dynamic space for funders to connect with filmmakers and industry leaders.
The inaugural edition, held from 7 to 10 August in Locarno, will introduce a dedicated professional track inside Locarno Pro for funders, seamlessly integrating them into existing industry programs, at networking lunches, and granting them access to the program as a whole. This offers a path for seasoned funders to expand and deepen their ties to the European system, while also serving as an entry point for entities interested in supporting the world of independent cinema for the first time.
With its informal, non-hierarchical approach to industry encounters taking place in a scenic Swiss setting, the Locarno Film Festival provides a space where both new and experienced funders can engage meaningfully with industry professionals, explore emerging financing models, and help shape the future of independent film – all in a scenic, relaxed setting where business feels like pleasure.
The Locarno Investment Community is designed to expand Locarno’s existing industry network, integrating new funding pathways into the Festival’s well-established programs. The goal in 2025 is to attract a cohort of new and experienced film funders, primarily from the US, as well as from Europe and Switzerland.
By embedding this community within Locarno Pro’s existing structure, the festival ensures long-term retention and growth, creating opportunities for filmmakers and investors to collaborate beyond a single edition. As the global distribution landscape shifts, Locarno continues to innovate, positioning itself as a key space for independent film financing.
In 2024, Locarno saw two more remarkable success stories bearing significant fruit: the animated film Flow – written and produced by Match Me! alumnus Matiss Kaza – won a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Animated Film, and the widely acclaimed All We Imagine As Light – produced by alumnus Thomas Hakim – took home the Cannes Grand Jury Prize. Both films underscore the power of independent cinema and the importance of sustained investment in bold, original storytelling, and prove that Locarno is the first place to discover the great talents of tomorrow.
Discover new talents and become part of the Locarno Investment Community.
Oxbelly, founded by producer Christos V. Konstantakopoulos, is a Greece-based nonprofit that holds a year-round initiative for vetted leading US film investors and philanthropists interested in learning about and engaging in financing in the European co-production market. As cultural landscapes evolve and independent voices face increasing challenges, American film financiers and philanthropists recognize the importance for a diversity of independent voices to be heard. Oxbelly provides a trusted bridge, fostering meaningful engagement between US investors and the European film industry.
