The Locarno Film Festival, one of the most renowned events in the cinematic world, opened today, November 12, the submission period for its 79th edition. The event, held each year in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, has stood out since its creation in 1946 for bringing together emerging talents and established filmmakers.
The organizers noted that there are three submission deadlines with different fees: early, regular, and late. For feature films, fees range from 100 to 200 Swiss francs, while for short films they range from 35 to 75 francs. The deadlines are February 19, April 9, and April 23, 2026, all at 2:00 p.m. (Central European Time).
Submitted films must have been completed within the last 12 months and maintain world or international premiere status, a key requirement for competitive sections. The selection will be carried out by an international team of programmers working alongside the artistic director, Giona A. Nazzaro. Results will be announced during the first week of July.
Selected films may compete for the Golden Leopard, the festival’s top award, as well as other prizes for Best Director, Best First Feature, gender-neutral acting awards, and outstanding short films. A second Golden Leopard is also awarded in the Filmmakers of the Present section, dedicated to emerging directors.
Throughout its history, Locarno has served as a launching platform for figures such as Spike Lee, Kathryn Bigelow, Lina Wertmüller, and Miloš Forman. The previous edition featured 224 films, many of which were presented for the first time to international audiences and the press.
