Open call: Locarno Residency

16 Maggio 2025

Open call: Locarno Residency

The Locarno Residency aims to offer support and guidance in what is an important rite of passage for many filmmakers, their first feature. The Locarno Film Festival has always stood out as a place of discovery for new talents, and in line with its mission intends to offer young filmmakers an opportunity to receive assistance in developing a full-length feature, in the shape of online sessions and in-person group discussions.

Phase One of the initiative, open to ten participants who will be selected by the artistic team of the Locarno Film Festival based on the film projects submitted and their career profiles to date, will take place during the 78th edition of the Festival, from August 6 to 9, 2025. Each participant will be able to discuss the concepts of their films with a jury of three industry professionals, who will then pick out three projects: two international and one Swiss.

For the three people selected for phase two, a one-year mentoring course is planned, which consists of online and in-person sessions. The first in-person session will take place in winter in Venice, at the prestigious Palazzo Trevisan degli Ulivi, in collaboration with the Consulate of Switzerland in Italy. The second phase will follow in spring in Arles, in collaboration with the LUMA Foundation, with participants hosted in the evocative Parc des Ateliers. The Locarno Residency will cover accommodation and travel expenses and a contribution towards meals.

Deadline to submit your application: June 3, 2025, 2PM CEST. PFor info and submission: locarnofestival.ch