Locarno Film Festival 2026: A Celebration of Cinema with Virginie Efira and Olivia Wilde

The 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival is set to take place from August 5 to 15, 2026, promising a vibrant showcase of cinema with a diverse array of films, high-profile guests, and competitive events.

Mirroring the grandeur of the Cannes Film Festival, Locarno is gearing up for an impressive lineup that includes 233 films, among which 103 will have their world premieres. This year’s opening film is "Les Yeux Verts" (The Green Eyes), directed by Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh, who previously brought us "Gagarine" in 2021, a film whose release was notably impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival will also feature James Gray presenting his latest film, "Paper Tiger," while Kevin Costner will showcase a new version of his iconic seven-Oscar-winning classic, "Dances with Wolves." The closing night will be marked by the comedy "Ni vue ni connue" (All About Corinne), directed by Marc Fitoussi, starring Isabelle Huppert and Sandrine Kiberlain.

In the competitive section, audiences can look forward to the new film from Hong Sang-soo, titled "Nowhere to Lay My Eyes," alongside Monica Bellucci's performance in "Ketticè," produced by acclaimed Italian director Luca Guadagnino.

Honoring Cinema Icons

The festival will honor several notable figures in the film industry, including Virginie Efira, Isabella Rossellini, Asia Argento, and director Darren Aronofsky. Olivia Wilde will also be in attendance to present her film "L'Invitation," while legendary makeup artist Rick Baker, known for his work on Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and "An American Werewolf in London," will receive recognition.

Piazza Grande Highlights

The Piazza Grande will host a variety of films, including:

• "Les Yeux Verts" (The Green Eyes) - Fanny Liatard & Jérémy Trouilh (France, Belgium, Sweden)
• "Armony" - Dario Albertini (Italy)
• "Wild at Heart" (special screening) - David Lynch (USA, 1990)
• "Ich ist ein Anderer" (I Is Another) - Felix Randau (Germany, Austria)
• "Dances with Wolves" (special screening) - Kevin Costner (USA, UK, 1990)
• "The Invite" - Olivia Wilde (USA)
• "Taxi Driver" (special screening) - Martin Scorsese (USA, 1976)
• "Paper Tiger" - James Gray (USA)
• "Frank & Louis" - Petra Volpe (Switzerland, UK)
• "Congo Boy" - Rafiki Fariala (Central African Republic, France, DR Congo, Italy)
• "Down the Arm of God" - Peter Brunner (France, USA)
• "Il Cileno" (The Chilean) - Sergio Castro-San Martín (Italy, Chile, Switzerland)
• "Demain je tombe amoureux" (Love Lessons) - Martin Provost (France, Belgium)
• "Ni vue, ni connue" (All About Corinne) - Marc Fitoussi (France, Belgium)

International Competition

The international competition will feature:

• "A Margem do Rio" (The Riverbank) - Matheus Farias & Enock Carvalho
• "Alberi Erranti" (Wandering Trees) - Salvatore Mereu
• "Brave New Love" - Maria Bäck
• "D'ici là" - Sarah Leonor
• "I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming" - Isabelle Stever
• "Ketticè" - Giovanni Tortorici
• "Lejos de los Árboles" (Far From the Trees) - Meritxell Colell Aparicio
• "Manhunt" - Wayne Wapeemukwa
• "Nu e Locul Tău Aici" (You Don't Belong Here) - Florin Șerban
• "Nun Dul Dega Eomne" (Nowhere to Lay My Eyes) - Hong Sangsoo
• "O Jacaré" - Basil Da Cunha
• "Objet A" - Ann Oren
• "Princesa Burro" (Donkey Princess) - Cristóbal León & Joaquín Cociña
• "Rehmat" - Gurvinder Singh
• "The House on the Moon" - Nelson Yeo
• "Thính Giác" (Hearing) - Lê Bảo
• "Violence du corps de l'autre" (Nobody's Violence) - Denis Côté

Emerging Filmmakers Competition

The competition for emerging filmmakers will showcase:

• "At Night" - Beatrice Gibson
• "Demony" (Demons) - Natalka Vorozhbyt
• "Destroy All Girls" - Erin Vassilopoulos
• "Ego Reach We All" (Our Time Will Come) - Amartei Armar
• "Hanabi" (Fire Flower) - Ana Vaz
• "La Ilusión de un Verano sin Fin" (The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer) - Alessandra Sanguinetti
• "L'Estive" (Summer Meadow) - Naël Khleifi
• "Los Días Libres" (The Days Off) - Lucila Mariani
• "Magic Atlas" - SUN Xun
• "Morgen vor langer Zeit" (Tomorrow a Long Time Ago) - Luise Donschen
• "Revolutionaries Never Die" - Mohanad Yaqubi
• "September Afternoon" - Nicolaas Schmidt
• "Small Talk" - Mateo Ybarra
• "Tear Gas" - Uta Beria
• "Todos Mis Viajes son Viajes de Regreso" (In All My Journeys I Am Returning) - Manuel Ponce de León

For a complete overview of the festival's selection, visit the official website.

The 79th edition of the Locarno International Film Festival will unfold from August 5 to 15, 2026.