Locarno Festival Director Talks About His Affection for Celluloid and Creating a Community Centered on “the Pleasure of Cinema”

Dubbed the “world capital of auteur cinema,” the Locarno International Film Festival may not boast the same star-studded appeal or industry clout as Cannes, Venice, or Toronto, but it stands out for its celebration of pure cinema.

For its 77th edition, running from August 7-17, artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro has curated a diverse program featuring both established arthouse directors and fresh talent. The lineup includes new works from remarkable filmmakers such as Hong Sang-soo, Christoph Hochhäusler, and Radu Jude, as well as feature debuts and experimental shorts.

Also included are audience favorites from Cannes, like Laetitia Dosch’s Dog on Trial, Mohammad Rasoulof’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig, and Claude Barras’ animated Savages. What truly sets Locarno apart, however, is its presentation. The centerpiece of the festival is the Piazza Grande, which transforms into an 8,000-seat open-air cinema.

This unique venue will showcase world premieres, including Gianluca Jodice’s Le Déluge (the opening night film), the 4K restored director’s cut of Tarsem Singh’s The Fall, and the Italian-dubbed version of E.T.—a nod to the festival’s tribute to sound designer Ben Burtt.

As the festival approaches, Nazzaro discussed with The Hollywood Reporter his efforts to blur the lines between arthouse and genre cinema, the “no-brainer” tributes to Burtt and indie producer Stacey Sher, and his enduring passion for analog cinema.