Locarno Film Festival 2025: Full Lineup and Highlights
The 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival, scheduled for August 5–15, will feature 103 world premieres, cementing its reputation as a hub for both radical artistic exploration and global cinema. Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro describes the program as an “adventurous selection” designed to engage with contemporary challenges while maintaining a strong commitment to the art of storytelling.
International Competition Highlights
The main competition features a diverse slate of 17 films, showcasing established auteurs alongside emerging voices. Notable entries include:
* “Nowhere to Lay My Eyes”: Directed by festival regular Hong Sang-soo, this South Korean production stars Kim Minhee.
* “The House on the Moon”: Director Nelson Yeo returns to Locarno with a sci-fi inspired project that reimagines ancient legends.
* “Ketticè”: Produced by Luca Guadagnino and starring Monica Bellucci, this drama from director Giovanni Tortorici examines the cultural stagnation of Palermo during the 2012 Berlusconi era.
* “Rehmat”: Directed by Gurvinder Singh and starring Naseeruddin Shah, this Punjabi-language film explores the navigation of life within a religiously diverse society facing political division.
* “Brave New Love”: Maria Bäck’s latest project features Anders Danielsen Lie and explores the complexities of modern relationships.
The section also includes “Donkey Princess” by stop-motion animators Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña, Sarah Leonor’s “D’ici Là,” and Denis Côté’s 17th feature, “Nobody’s Violence.”
Piazza Grande Star Power
The festival’s iconic outdoor screenings at the Piazza Grande will host a variety of high-profile actors and filmmakers. The lineup includes Peter Brunner’s world premiere “Down the Arm of God,” starring Caleb Landry Jones and Mena Suvari. Other notable Piazza Grande selections feature Isabelle Huppert and Diane Kruger in “All About Corinne,” and Chiara Mastroianni in “Love Lessons.”
The festival will also honor Asia Argento with a Life Achievement Award; she is set to present Dario Albertini’s “Armony.” Beyond new premieres, the Piazza Grande will screen classic cinema, including “Wild at Heart,” “Dances with Wolves,” and “Taxi Driver,” alongside Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite,” featuring Seth Rogen, Wilde, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton.
Festival Vision and Industry Impact
CEO Raphaël Brunschwig emphasized that the festival functions as a “public good” by fostering encounters between audiences, filmmakers, and ideas. According to Brunschwig, the festival’s strength lies in its ability to balance the complexity of the film industry with a deep connection to its local surroundings.
Nazzaro noted that the selection of films is deliberately curated to reflect the transformations currently reshaping the global audiovisual sector. By prioritizing uncompromising and innovative works, the festival aims to accompany films that are “about to become” visible to a wider public.
Quick Reference: Competition Films
| Film Title | Director | Country |
| :— | :— | :— |
| “Brave New Love” | Maria Bäck | Denmark, Sweden, Greece |
| “D’ici Là” | Sarah Leonor | France |
| “Donkey Princess” | Cristóbal León, Joaquín Cociña | Chile, France, Uruguay, Netherlands, Germany |
| “Far From the Trees” | Meritxell Colell Aparicio | Spain, Peru, Italy |
| “Hearing” | Lê Bảo | Vietnam, Singapore, Norway, France, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Thailand, Taiwan |
| “The House on the Moon” | Nelson Yeo | Singapore, Taiwan, Germany, Indonesia |
| “I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming” | Isabelle Stever | Germany, Ukraine |
| “Ketticè” | Giovanni Tortorici | Italy |
| “Manhunt” | Wayne Wapeemukwa | Canada |
| “Nobody’s Violence” | Denis Côté | Canada |
| “Nowhere to Lay My Eyes” | Hong Sang-soo | South Korea |
| “Objet A” | Ann Oren | Germany, Luxembourg, Greece |
| “O Jacaré” | Basil Da Cunha | Switzerland, Portugal |
| “Rehmat” | Gurvinder Singh | India, France |
| “The Riverbank” | Matheus Farias, Enock Carvalho | Brazil, Germany |
| “Wandering Trees” | Salvatore Mereu | Italy |
| “You Don’t Belong Here” | Florin Șerban | Romania |
The festival continues to focus on its role as a bridge between independent artistic voices and the international film market, providing a platform for films that challenge conventional storytelling.