Locarno 2026 Industry: THE SURUBÍ, SPRING STORY and YAZZ Lead Locarno Pro Awards

The Locarno Film Festival’s industry platform, Locarno Pro, recently celebrated a diverse slate of film projects during its 15th edition, emphasizing practical support to advance productions toward completion and distribution. This year’s awards targeted initiatives such as the First Look works-in-progress showcase, Alliance 4 Development, and the Heritage Restoration Contest.

A notable trend emerged as Uruguayan cinema gained prominent visibility in the First Look program, which presented six Uruguayan features in post-production to an international audience of sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers. Among these, the feature "Spring Story" (Historia de primavera), directed by Gabriela Guillermo and Irina Raffo, received comprehensive color grading assistance and advertising support valued at €5,600. The film explores a transcontinental relationship between two men, unfolding themes of desire and emotional freedom inspired partly by Spinoza's philosophy. Currently in post-production, "Spring Story" aims for an international premiere in mid-2027 while actively seeking European sales representation and distribution partners.

Dominating the First Look accolades, Lorenzo Tocco’s debut feature "El Surubí" secured multiple awards including complete sound post-production, music supervision services worth €45,000, and an international poster design package valued at €10,000. Set against the backdrop of a declining industrial town, the narrative delves into the transformation of the community through mystical tourism driven by purported miracles. The film is currently in the editing phase and is on the lookout for international sales agents and festival opportunities.

The Locarno Pro jury, comprising leading European festival programmers and artistic directors, commended these works for their authentic portrayals of human experiences and innovative storytelling.

Separately, the Alliance 4 Development platform, which fosters co-productions from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, awarded Florian Hoffmann’s "Yazz" twice. This drama traces the life of Yasmine, a teenager navigating the complex environment of a United Nations compound in the Central African Republic, with the story cycling between Africa and Switzerland over a decade. Backed by multiple European producers and cultural foundations, the project has secured core financing but continues to pursue additional funding and strategic guidance on international sales and distribution.

Other recipients from Alliance 4 Development showcased a blend of genre and socially conscious themes. Tamer Ruggli’s "Cuore Matto," a queer coming-of-age musical set in 1969 Switzerland, received post-production support alongside Wendy Pillonel’s "Magnetic Storms," a film examining adolescent vulnerability amid ecological and familial turmoil in a deindustrialized Italian village. Both projects are actively engaging co-producers and distributors across Europe.

Meanwhile, Jessica Puppo’s ecological body horror feature "Reign of Silures," situated beside a deteriorating Lake Geneva and involving monstrous catfish linked to a mysterious disease, gained location scouting support and potential production funding contingent on shooting in the Swiss region of Ticino. This debut feature is carving a niche with its intimate yet unsettling narrative.

Adding to the lineup, Bruce LaBruce's "Third Take," a Mediterranean-set drama involving iconic actresses amidst a chaotic film shoot, was honored with a market breakout consultancy award. Featuring Monica Bellucci and Béatrice Dalle, the project is slated for production in summer 2027 and is exploring broader European co-production collaborations.

The Italian project "Shooting Watermelons," directed by Antonio Donato, received a cash award to support its exploration of paternal relationships and masculinity during a tense summer vacation.

In the realm of heritage cinema, Locarno Pro spotlighted the restoration of Anne-Marie Miéville’s 1997 three-part work "We’re All Still Here," featuring Jean-Luc Godard in a rare acting role. The restoration, undertaken by Cinegrell Postproduction, is set for premiere at Locarno’s 80th edition in 2027, presenting an opportunity to revisit a significant piece of Swiss cinematic history.

Together, these awards and initiatives underscore Locarno Pro’s commitment to nurturing a wide spectrum of cinematic voices, from emerging Latin American filmmakers to established European auteurs, and spanning genres from intimate dramas to speculative ecological horror. By providing vital resources such as post-production services, marketing assistance, and development consultancy, Locarno Pro continues to facilitate the transition of innovative film projects from conception to global audiences.