Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland Considers Moving to July Starting in 2027

6 January 2025 | Source
The Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland is considering moving its dates from August to July starting in 2027, aligning its 80th anniversary with a new schedule. The festival aims to adapt to industry changes and attract more international talent and premieres. Consultation with Swiss authorities, stakeholders, and global festival regulators is underway.

The prestigious Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland is evaluating a significant change to its traditional schedule, with plans to shift its dates from August to the second half of July starting in 2027. The move, currently under consideration for the festival's 80th anniversary, reflects the organization’s response to evolving industry dynamics and audience expectations.

In an official statement, the Locarno Film Festival announced that it has informed the City of Locarno about this "process of consideration." Swiss public bodies, stakeholders, and the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF) are being consulted to assess the potential impact of the proposed change. FIAPF is responsible for coordinating the dates of major film festivals globally, ensuring minimal conflict and maximum industry participation.

If the proposed shift is approved, the new July dates could place Locarno closer to other major festivals like FilmFest Munich, Karlovy Vary, and FID Marseille. However, it could also overlap with events such as Poland’s New Horizons, the Fantasia Film Festival in Canada, and the Jerusalem International Film Festival.

Historically, Locarno’s August schedule coincides with the European summer holidays, making it challenging for the festival to attract international guests and high-profile film premieres. This difficulty has been a key driver behind the proposed adjustment. A festival statement highlighted the need for change, noting, "This adjustment would ensure its ability to meet the expectations of its audience and continue to attract international professionals, major talents, and significant film productions."

The next editions of the Locarno Film Festival will maintain their August dates, running from August 6 to 16, 2025, and August 5 to 15, 2026, as the organization continues its discussions about the 2027 anniversary edition.

As one of the most prominent A-list film festivals, Locarno's potential date shift reflects broader trends and challenges in the film festival circuit, aiming to reinforce its position as a vital platform for international cinema.

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