Every summer the Locarno Film Festival transforms the city into a major hub for international cinema. Directors, actors, producers, distributors, journalists, and enthusiasts flock to Ticino for an event that, since 1946, has been one of the most prestigious events dedicated to auteur cinema, emerging productions, and world premieres.
Alongside the screenings and official events, the festival also thrives through a network of venues that foster meetings, discussions, and collaborations. Among these, the Hotel Belvedere Locarno plays a key role, having been the event's Official Partner Hotel for years and hosting some of the most significant events for industry professionals.
The festival that brings the world of cinema to Ticino
The Locarno Film Festival is considered one of the most prestigious international film events. Its identity stems from its ability to combine a strong artistic vocation with an atmosphere that fosters direct dialogue between filmmakers, professionals, and the public.
The heart of the event remains Piazza Grande, which on festival evenings is transformed into one of the largest open-air cinemas in the world, welcoming thousands of spectators for screenings under the stars.
This year's edition also features a packed program of high-profile guests. Actress, director, and producer Isabella Rossellini will receive the Excellence Award in recognition of her contribution to international cinema, while director Darren Aronofsky will receive the Pardo d'Onore for Lifetime Achievement.
A historic partner of the event
The Hotel Belvedere Locarno supports the festival through a long-standing partnership. The hotel is located above the historic center and is directly connected to the city by the historic funicular, allowing quick access to Piazza Grande and the other event venues.
This location allows guests to easily participate in the festival's events without sacrificing a tranquil and comfortable atmosphere. For over a century, the hotel has been part of the city's history and continues to be a benchmark for Locarno hospitality.
Where international cinema collaborations are born
The relationship between the Hotel Belvedere and the Locarno Film Festival goes beyond simple hospitality.
The structure houses the Belvedere Congress Centre, one of the event's operational headquarters, which hosts Locarno Pro , the platform dedicated to the international film industry, during the festival.
Producers, directors, screenwriters, distributors, streaming platforms, investors, and professionals from numerous countries meet here. These events allow for the development of new projects, fostering international co-productions, and discussing future prospects for the audiovisual sector.
Many of the ideas that take shape during these meetings are later destined to reach the big screen, confirming the strategic role that Locarno continues to play in the development of contemporary cinema.
A point of reference even outside of official events
During the festival, the hotel's spaces become meeting places frequented by the international film community.
Among these is La Fontana Ristorante & Bar , where industry professionals and guests gather to exchange ideas in a more intimate setting than formal events. The terrace is a popular spot for continuing conversations begun during conferences, presentations, and screenings.
In this way, the festival experience continues even away from the cinemas, fostering the birth of new professional and cultural relationships.
A journey through the history of the Pardo
The connection between the structure and the festival also emerges from the hotel's spaces.
A collection of official posters spanning decades of the Locarno Film Festival's history is on display in the corridors, offering guests a journey through the event's graphic and cultural evolution.
This collection also includes historical photographs dedicated to numerous international film stars who have stayed at the hotel over the years, a testament to the relationship built with the festival and the film world.
Hospitality and well-being all year round
The Hotel Belvedere is not just a destination for the festival period.
The hotel features 90 rooms and suites overlooking the lake, the new OASI BELVEDERE Spa • Wellness • Beauty center , and the Grotto al Sasso , nestled in the greenery of the gardens. It is also the only four-star superior hotel open year-round in the city of Locarno.
The historic center is easily accessible on foot, while the entire Lake Maggiore region offers opportunities for excursions, sports activities, and outdoor trails in all seasons, thanks also to the particularly favorable climate.
Easy connections with Switzerland and Northern Italy
Accessibility is one of the elements that contribute to the international vocation of the structure.
Zurich and Milan Malpensa airports offer quick connections to the Locarno area, while the Gotthard Base Tunnel (AlpTransit) allows you to reach Locarno by train from Zurich, Lucerne and Zug in about two hours.
This network of connections makes the Hotel Belvedere a strategic base both for those attending the Locarno Film Festival and for those wishing to visit the Ticino region during the rest of the year.
A bond that continues beyond the festival
The collaboration between the Locarno Film Festival and the Hotel Belvedere represents one of the most consolidated examples of the synergy between an internationally renowned cultural event and a hospitality facility deeply rooted in the city's history.
Every August, as audiences flock to screenings and the audiovisual industry looks to Locarno as a hub for discussion and innovation, the hotel continues to host meetings, ideas, and professional connections that help ensure the festival's continuity even after screenings conclude.
