Locarno's Industry platform serves as an incubator for emerging professionals and talents and as launchpad for the selected alumni who have been able to achieve great career paths.
Discover here a selection of completed projects that have achieved important accomplishments.
A co-development program for film projects from Austria, Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland. Our aim is to support emerging filmmakers bring their projects to life and help foster long-term creative and business ties between the countries.
The completed projects have collected several success stories, among which:
Our work in progress section, showcasing films in any post-production stage from a different territory, every year. Now in it’s 13th edition, it has been a critical launchpad for new productions from Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Israel, Poland, Baltic Countries, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland, Germany and the UK.
Several films selected at First Look have become international successes, such as:
Freshly restored classic films, market ready again. Through our Heritage Online program, we are playing an active role in restoring older films to their former glory so that they can benefit from a second commercial life.
Not only do we engage directly in the restoration of films but also provide a platform for the discovery of heritage titles to become a commercial facilitator between rights holders, film distributors and streaming platforms:
An intensive workshop dedicated to young professionals working in international sales, marketing, traditional and online distribution, exhibition and film programming.
I remain in close contact with many of the participants. A fun fact: one of the speakers at the Locarno Industry Academy 2015 – Jon Barrenechea, who at the time was working for UK independent cinema chain Picturehouse Cinemas – is now my colleague at MUBI and I work closely with him on a daily basis
There was literally a before and an after. Everything changed in my perception of the job after the Locarno Academy, in terms of my capabilities, goals and possibilities. Sometimes I mention it in professional conversations, when I think it might be useful, and it always works. I’m now recognized by the whole industry: it’s that little plus that makes me a bit more special – it's priceless
“Having had the opportunity to participate in the Locarno Academy was an unforgettable experience: it reconnected the professional sphere with the personal desire to work in this field of cinema. I got to know ways of working in the film exhibition and distribution circuit from all over the Americas, different contexts and particular ways of facing a world in crisis.”
A networking platform that has helped more than 200 upcoming producers expanding their international network. Through a taylor-made programme of one-to-one meetings, professional lunches and workshops, the selected producers deep dive into the full potential of international (co)production.
Some of the previous Match Me! selected producers, to name just a few:
An invitation only forum allowing key industry players to engage in working sessions to discuss the state of the film industry and exchange their point of view. It’s a space for sharing ideas, getting inspired by one another and, fundamentally, looking to the future.
No other festival has succeeded so well in creating a unique discussion forum as Locarno with StepIn.”
Key guests who have hosted sessions include:
And also film producers such as Gale Anne Hurd, Michel Merkt, Rodrigo Teixeira, Christine Vachon, Ted Hope, Diana Elbaum, Rita Dagher, Jonas Dornbach and Jean des Forêts and talent agents such as Maren Olson (former CAA Media Finance Department), Mikey Schwartz-Wright (UTA), Sarah Schweitzman and Allison Hironaka (CAA Finance & Sales Group) and a large number of international distributors, exhibitors and sales agents (besides the above mentioned Focus, Netflix, MUBI, NEON and A24 just to name a few more: TrustNordisk, Charades, Protagonist, Memento, Dogwoof, Studiocanal, I Wonder, BAC Films, Teodora, SF Studios, Vision Distribution, Weltkino, Picturehouse, and many others...
