Auteur-driven cinema and international premieres take center stage in Ticino every August. Locarno Film Festival - Festival International du Film de Locarno 2026 takes place from 5 to 15 August in Locarno and combines large outdoor screenings, competitive sections and a professional program. Below we outline the attendee profiles worth targeting and how to prepare an effective B2B agenda for the festival week.
What to expect at Locarno in 2026
The 2026 edition keeps the festival’s core structure. Key film sections include the Concorso Internazionale, Concorso Cineasti del Presente and Pardi di Domani for shorts and emerging filmmakers. Piazza Grande remains the festival’s flagship venue with thousands of seats and one of the largest outdoor screens in the festival circuit, hosting major premieres and late night screenings under the stars.
Alongside screenings, Locarno integrates industry-focused formats under Locarno Pro. Meetings, project markets and professional labs are part of the program. Initiatives such as Open Doors focus on regional cinemas while Academy and Factory modules provide training and development opportunities for creators and industry professionals.
Practical information and screening venues
Screenings take place across a network of venues that include Piazza Grande and several indoor cinemas. Notable locations listed in the festival program are Palexpo (FEVI), PalaCinema, GranRex, La Sala, L’altra Sala, Teatro Kursaal, PalaVideo, Cinema Rialto and Forum @ Spazio Cinema. Pass types and accreditation categories cover both public audiences and industry professionals.
Sectors and professional profiles on site
The festival brings together stakeholders from the audiovisual chain: programmers, distributors, sales agents, independent producers, funding bodies and festival delegates. Development initiatives and presentation platforms attract buyers and curators seeking new titles and co-production opportunities.
Tactical advice for B2B outreach at Locarno
Prioritize targets before arrival. Identify acquisition leads, programming contacts and sales representatives you want to meet. Use Locarno Pro sessions and MatchMe! to request meetings and surface projects in development. Labs and academies are efficient scouting grounds for early stage projects.
Pack concise presentation materials optimized for quick reads on mobile. A project one-pager with logline, technical details and screening links helps decision makers during tight schedules. Allocate time for high-profile screenings in Piazza Grande and for structured networking sessions published in the industry calendar. Short clips or key visuals ready for pitch meetings improve chances to secure follow-up interest.
Professional programs to watch
Open Doors and First Look target specific regional cinemas and put producers in front of international buyers. Industry Academy modules and curated conversations enable direct contact with programmers and fund representatives. Film Foundry and training modules support discovery of new talent and are useful touchpoints for scouts and acquisitions teams.
Closing recommendation
If your goal is to acquire distinctive auteur cinema or to expand boutique distribution channels, secure professional accreditation and map your meetings around Locarno Pro and Open Doors activities. Check schedules and accreditation options on the official website http://www.locarnofestival.ch/home.html and align your screening requests and pitches to the festival timetable.
Registration and tickets on the official website: locarnofestival.ch
