Locarno Film Festival has unveiled its jury line-up for the 79th edition, a diverse group of filmmakers, producers, and artists who will decide the winners of the prestigious Pardo d'Oro (Golden Leopard) and other awards. The festival, known for its commitment to supporting emerging talent and showcasing unique cinematic voices, has assembled a jury that reflects this spirit. Among the notable names are Belgian filmmaker Fabrice Du Welz, Italian producer Marco Alessi, French actress Lolita Chammah, Chilean actress Paulina García, and Olivier Père, the former artistic director of the festival. The jury for the Concorso Cineasti del Presente (Filmmakers of the Present) program, dedicated to emerging directors, includes Tunisian actress and director Afef Ben Mahmoud, Czech producer Radovan Síbrt, and Italian filmmaker Margherita Spampinato. The Pardi di Domani (Future Filmmakers) section will be evaluated by Lebanese director, writer, and actress Mounia Akl, South African producer Steven Markovitz, and Italian director Antonio Piazza. The First Feature jury, honoring the best debut in the festival's lineup, is comprised of Matthieu Darras, Sung Moon, and Swiss-Peruvian filmmaker Klaudia Reynicke. The Pardo for Change jury, which reflects the festival's commitment to addressing pressing social and environmental issues, includes war reporter Gianluca Grossi, Somali-Austrian filmmaker Mo Harawe, and Seta Thakur, head of communications and social innovation at the Wyss Academy for Nature. The festival's artistic director, Giona A. Nazzaro, expressed his excitement about the diverse perspectives and talents that will be brought to the table, emphasizing the importance of being open to the unexpected. The 79th Locarno Film Festival will take place from August 5 to 15, offering a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with the international film community.
