The 79th Locarno Film Festival gets into full swing with the presentation of the official selection, presented during a press conference in Zurich. From August 5 to 15, 2026 , the event will bring to the big screen a lineup that combines established auteurs with promising newcomers in international cinema, maintaining its position as a premier observatory on the evolution of cinematic language.

This year's edition draws on significant numbers. 7.759 works were submitted, which resulted in a program of 233 films , including 103 world premieres and eight international premieres. This selection further demonstrates the Ticino festival's ability to attract productions from around the world and showcase independent cinema alongside the most recognized names on the international scene.

An international selection with works from 69 countries

The 2026 edition features productions and co-productions from 69 countries , offering a particularly broad overview of contemporary cinema. The three main competitions will be joined by numerous non-competitive sections, designed to explore different languages, new narrative forms, and artistic experimentation.

The selection brings together popular cinema, auteur research, and new modes of expression, offering audiences a journey through diverse cultures, sensibilities, and perspectives. It is precisely this ability to bring together diverse cinematic experiences that is one of the festival's distinctive features.

Awards dedicated to new talents and socially relevant issues

Among the confirmed initiatives is the Swatch First Feature Award , a recognition reserved for first films. This year, 11 films will be competing for the award, dedicated to directors making their feature film debut.

There's also space for the Leopard for Change , which will feature 19 films that share a focus on environmental, ethical, and cultural issues of particular social impact. The award thus continues to recognize films that address contemporary issues with a critical and innovative perspective.

The festival between discovery and confirmation

According to artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro , the selection of the 79th edition offers a journey full of surprises, in which the pleasure of storytelling is intertwined with a reflection on the transformations affecting cinema and the audiovisual sector.

The goal remains to promote works that interpret the present without sacrificing experimentation, exploring different genres and languages, and offering space to both young authors and established figures in the field.

A program that confirms Locarno's international role

Over the years, the Locarno Film Festival has consolidated its reputation as a meeting place for professionals, directors, producers, and the public. The 2026 edition confirms this vocation, offering a program that focuses on discovering new talent and showcasing films often underrepresented in commercial circuits.

The presence of over one hundred world premieres is one of the most significant elements of the event, which continues to offer an international platform for the launch of new works destined for subsequent distribution at major festivals and cinemas.

The other sections already presented

Alongside the official selection, programmes dedicated to the Pardi di Domani , the Locarno Kids Screenings , the Retrospective and the Open Doors Screenings have already been announced , confirming a varied offering that engages different audiences and dedicates attention to both young viewers and new authors from emerging geographical areas.

Tickets and passes already available

Festival Passes , Day Passes and tickets for screenings in Piazza Grande are already available for purchase , while tickets for individual screenings will go on sale starting from mid-July.

Updated information, along with purchasing instructions, are available on the event's official website.

Public transport included and discounts for the public

The collaboration between the festival and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has been renewed for 2026. All holders of a valid ticket or pass will be able to use public transport within the Arcobaleno fare network , which includes Ticino and Moesano, free of charge for the entire duration of their admission ticket.

The discount will also be extended to the pre-festival screenings on August 2nd and 4th , upon reservation of the free ticket through the festival website.

Thanks to the collaboration with RailAway FFS , spectators from German- and French-speaking Switzerland who reach Locarno by public transport will be able to enjoy a 20% discount on the Day Pass . Furthermore, between August 5th and 15th , special night trains will be running on the Locarno–Chiasso route , designed to make it easier for audiences to get back home after the screenings.

Further details on rail discounts are available at:

https://www.ffs.ch/locarnofilmfestival

With a program bringing together over two hundred works from around the world, the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival is preparing to once again welcome filmmakers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts, offering eleven days dedicated to discovering the trends shaping the future of international cinema.