Sunday is family day. So, it just made sense for the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival to book Paper Tiger, written and directed by James Gray and starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller, for Sunday evening. After all, the loosely autobiographical movie tells the story of a suburban family that becomes entangled with the Russian mob.

Just before the Paper Tiger screening, Gray received the Career Leopard honor from the Swiss festival in a moment that seemed worthy of a big cat pun.

Looking out at the city’s big central square, the Piazza Grande, which seats 8,000 people, the U.S. auteur shared the mix of excitement and nervousness that he was feeling.

“I didn’t expect this crowd. I sort of feel like I’m in the Beatles or something,” he told the big crowd. “This is very strange. I’m very nervous because usually I’m behind the camera and I’m yelling at other people to do things and telling them what to do. And now I’ve got to do some talking. It’s vaguely terrifying.”

Gray also called the experience “very moving,” before resorting to some deadpan humor. “When I told my wife, I said, ‘Hey, they want to give me this prize in Locarno,’” the filmmaker shared. “My wife said, ‘That’s very nice. Now, can you take out the garbage?’”

Continued the U.S. honoree: “So this … gives you a kind of perspective in life. But my wife’s feelings aside, it’s very moving to me.”

Continuing with the family theme, Gray told the Locarno outdoor audience about Paper Tiger: “You’re going to see pretty much where I grew up. A lot of it is autobiographical. You’ll see my neighborhood, and you’ll say, ‘Oh my God.’ Because I got here with this [award], and I came from that.”

Gray also concluded that just because he received this year’s Career Leopard, film fans shouldn’t write him off yet. “I’m not old,” he said. “I have many good films, hopefully, left, and maybe better. So don’t age me out yet.”

Independents posted impressive numbers this weekend, another good one for moviegoing but competitive with blockbuster commercial films in the marketplace. Tony and Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma are notable newcomers with CatVideoFest 2026 landing in the top 10 and a sweet debut for doc Cookie Queens.

A24’s Tony cooked with the highest per screen average and the best limited opening of the year, grossing $349k on just 6 screens in New York and LA for a $58k PSA with sold out shows in both markets all weekend.

Director Matt Johnson‘s take on the beloved late chef, author and TV host imagines the transformative summer when a 19-year-old Bourdain discovered his passion for food while working in a Provincetown seaside kitchen. The film is Certified Fresh at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Dominic Sessa receiving raves for his star turn as the young Bourdain. The ensemble includes Emilia Jones, Stavros Halkias, Leo Woodall and Antonio Banderas as Bourdain’s mentor. With exits showing excellent word-of-mouth, Tony expands into top markets next week ahead of a nationwide break Aug. 21.

A24’s The Invite, meanwhile, is eyeing a $717k weekend on 342 screens and the no. 9 spot at the domestic box office in week 7 with a cume of $24.2 million. The film by Olivia Wilde opened to a $54k PSA.

Mubi’s release of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, the anticipated third film from indie favorite Jane Schoenbrun (I Saw The TV Glow, We’re All Going To The World’s Fair), opened on five screens in New York and LA to an estimated $251.5k. That’s a PSA of $50.3k, one of the year’s best. Stars Hannah Einbinder as a young director seeking to resurrect the Camp Miasma slasher franchise and Gillian Anderson as the star of the original films, a now-reclusive actress shrouded in mystery.

Magnolia Pictures’ Late Fame starring Willem Dafoe as a forgotten, then rediscovered, New York poet debuted on two screens in NYC for an estimated $38k. The distributor’s I Want Your Sex by Gregg Araki grossed $167k in week 2 on 260 screens (down from about 700) for a $1.27 million cume.

CatVideoFest gathers more steam each year with Oscilloscope’s feature-length compilation of cuteness by Will Braden debuting to $586k on 255 screens.

Documentary Cookie Queens from Roadside Attractions, Alysa Nahmias’s deep dive into Girl Scout Cookie season, had a nice $328k debut on 446 screens. The film performed well in specialty venues that traditionally play documentaries, Roadside noted, as well as some mainstream multiplexes, where strong support from Girl Scouts and alumnae helped drive attendance, including troops buying out screenings for girls to experience the film together. “We’re encouraged by the response and believe the film has a long life ahead as it continues to reach its many audiences.”

TIFF-premiering Olmo from Greenwich Entertainment, by Mexican filmmaker Fernando Eimbcke, debuted to $30k at 51 theaters.

Yoga horror satire Namalay by South Asian filmmakers Rish and Kanish Junghare grossed $11.3k on two screens in NY and LA.Forston Consulting handled theatrical booking. Self distributed.

Holdovers: In its second weekend, Janus Films’ release of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s The Samurai And The Prisoner began a national expansion on 44 screensgrossing an estimated$174.1k for a cume of $274.5k.

Wild Inside, Penny Lane’s documentary of the adventures of Flaco the Owl, is estimated to gross $37.4k in in week 2 on 33 screens. The Sandbox Films Release, with a cume of $107k, is playing a mix of standard and alternative engagements.