About the Film Festival
The 79th Locarno Film Festival will take place in Locarno from August 5-15, 2026.
The Locarno Film Festival is recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF) as belonging to the category of “Competitive Festivals”. The following Rules and Regulations are subject to the “Regulations for International Film Festivals” published by the FIAPF. The Locarno Film Festival (hereinafter also referred to as the “Festival”) is organized by the Festival Internazionale del film di Locarno Association. Its principal subsidies are provided by the Swiss Federal Government, the Canton Ticino, Ascona-Locarno Turismo and Municipal Authorities of the region. Additional financing is provided by other associations, organizations, institutions and private partners. The Locarno Film Festival aims to promote arthouse cinema of artistic merit; to provide a showcase for major new films of the year from around the world; to make room, in its competitive sections, to new perspectives and forms of filmmaking expression, focusing specially on new directors and new ways of filmmaking that attracts international attention.
Subject ：Unlimited
Video Format ：MPEG4 DCP
a) The selected films must have been completed within the 12 (twelve) months preceding their Festival screening, therefore, the festival will only consider films completed after August 31, 2025.
b) Films selected must not have been previously released outside their production countries prior to the official presentation at the Locarno Film Festival. World premieres (first public screening) are favored. Films available on Internet, broadcasted on television or commercially released on VOD, DVD, Blu-Ray or any other format are not eligible.
c) All Swiss productions and co-productions must be world premieres.
d) Works that are solely promotional, educational or scientific in character are not eligible.
e) Films submitted for previous editions of the Festival may not be resubmitted, not even in a new version.
A selection committee (with an advisory brief) made up of film experts will assist the artistic director in the scouting and selection of works for the Festival.
Categories and fees
Feature/Medium Length(fiction, documentary, or animated film)
Video length ：41 - 300
All films must be submitted in the original language with English subtitles. For pre-selection, English-language films do not require subtitles.
Short Film(fiction, documentary, or animated film)
Video length ：0 - 40
All films must be submitted in the original language with English subtitles. For pre-selection, English-language films do not require subtitles.
Live Event
