Roberto Cicutto, Former Venice Biennale President, Joins Locarno Film Festival Board in Switzerland

13 October 2024 | Source
The Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland has appointed Roberto Cicutto, former President of Venice Biennale, and Gilles Marchand, Director General of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, to its Board of Directors. This move, part of a governance overhaul, comes alongside the introduction of a new executive management team. The 78th Locarno Film Festival will be held from August 6-16, 2025.

The Locarno Film Festival has announced the appointment of two key figures to its Board of Directors: Roberto Cicutto, former President of the Venice Biennale (2020-2024), and Gilles Marchand, the outgoing Director General of SRG SSR, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. This development, confirmed at an Extraordinary General Assembly on October 4, 2024, marks the culmination of a governance restructuring process initiated in 2023. These appointments fill the remaining positions on the board, now complete with seven members.

Joining President Maja Hoffmann and Vice President Luigi Pedrazzini, Cicutto and Marchand will collaborate with other board members, including Nadia Dresti, Jean-Philippe Rochat, and Nicola Pini, Mayor of Locarno. This group will steer the Festival's strategic direction and oversee its operations as one of the world’s leading film festivals.

Maja Hoffmann highlighted the significance of these appointments, stating, “Together with Roberto Cicutto and Gilles Marchand, we are enriching our board with invaluable expertise.” Hoffmann emphasized the board's collective vision to deepen the festival’s impact on global cinema and enhance its organizational structure.

Cicutto, a veteran producer and distributor, expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Locarno Film Festival board. He acknowledged the Festival’s role in merging cinematic masters with emerging talent, noting, "It is with great emotion and gratitude that I accept an assignment that takes me back to the beginnings of my fortunate professional life."

Marchand, who has led SRG SSR since 2017, voiced his excitement to contribute to the Locarno Film Festival, an event he called "essential to the Swiss and international cultural agenda." He underlined the importance of films in reflecting societal changes, adding that the festival plays a key role in welcoming and debating these works.

In addition to these board appointments, the Locarno Film Festival has introduced a new executive management team, set to take effect in December 2024. Led by CEO Raphaël Brunschwig, who has served as Managing Director since 2017, the executive team will consist of six members, each overseeing one of the festival's newly established departments. The team includes Giona A. Nazzaro as Artistic Director, Markus Duffner as Director of Locarno Pro, and Stefano Knuchel as Director of Locarno Factory, alongside Mattia De-Sassi, Chief Operations Officer, Liliana Sampietro, Chief Financial Officer, and Oliver Osborne, Chief Communications Officer.

The restructuring of the governance and management model reflects the festival’s evolving needs and the complexity of its operations as it maintains its position as a key event on the international cinema calendar. This change ensures the Locarno Film Festival's decision-making process remains agile and responsive while safeguarding the artistic independence of Nazzaro, the Artistic Director.

The 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival will take place from August 6-16, 2025, continuing its tradition of showcasing innovative and groundbreaking films from around the world.

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