‘Nowhere to Lay My Eyes’
Courtesy of Jeonwonsa Film Co.
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Canada’s Gov’t Urged To Stay Strong On Global Streamer Contributions
Canada‘s biggest screen organizations want assurance – and quickly.
The country’s writers and directors unions, top screen bodies and several film festivals have united to form a coalition of 50 organizations urging Mark Carney‘s Liberal Party government to stand firm on streaming contributions.
An open letter released today addressed to Prime Minister Carney and Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller called for assurance that the principles Online Streaming Act would be retained after a policy change appeared to change course.
Among those adding signatures to the letter were leaders from the Calgary International Film Festival, Canadian Film Institute, Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), Directors Guild of Canada, Hot Docs, Screen Composers Guild of Canada, Vancouver International Film Festival, Whistler Film Festival and the Writers Guild of Canada. Notably, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) did not sign. We’ve reached out to TIFF for comment.
This comes after plans for policy amendments announced in June suggested the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) should a “new direction” with the divisive Online Streaming Act, which has been in place since 2023.
These appear to command a sharp reduction or even completely removal of obligations on the likes of Netflix and Prime Video to spend a portion of their local revenues on local content. A pledge of an annual C$600M ($430M) for content was made at the same time.
The Canadian government has denied the changes are related to trade talks with President Donald Trump’s administration, and are instead are about reducing burdens on families. Clearly, the entertainment industry disagrees with the position, CMPA chair Kyle Irving issuing a statement in June saying, “We are concerned that the federal government has sold out Canadian culture in favour of big U.S. tech interests.”
Canada’s screen orgs today demanded government should “preserve the principle that foreign streaming services must make meaningful, predictable and enforceable contributions to Canadian programming.”
The letter said the government’s move ahead “introduced significant uncertainty into the production sector” and disputed whether the C$600M pledge was “a substitute for durable, legally enforceable contribution obligations.”
The government’s unexpected move came after the CRTC has decided to up the streamer contributions from 5% to 15% the previous months. With Trump continuing to apply his trade tariffs policies around the world, commentators and industry sources see the repealing of that as a concession to Canada’s southern neighbor.
“These contributions are not a tax or a levy,” continued the open letter. “They are investments in the acquisition and production of globally exploitable assets for foreign streaming services, showcasing Canadian stories and talent while strengthening the domestic production ecosystem.”
The cost of changing course would risk the ecosystem of Canadian content, the letter warned. “If Canada does not require that a meaningful share of these contributions be directed to the production and promotion of original Canadian programming in both official languages, in culturally significant genres, we risk weakening Canada’s position as a cultural exporter and diminishing both the domestic and global reach of Canadian stories,” it read.
“Instead of building and sharing our own stories with the world, we would be left watching from the sidelines as foreign content increasingly defines what Canadians see on their screens.”
For their part, global streamers insist they already spending significant amounts in Canada and do not need the burden of obligations. They have made similar arguments in Europe and Australia, but their position is disputed by most domestic production and film communities, who warn against the creep of homogenized global content.
Carney’s government is yet to respond to the open letter.
Here’s the letter in full.
Dear Prime Minister Carney and Minister Miller,
We are writing as a united group of Canadian screen sector organizations in response to the Department of Canadian Heritage announcement on June 3, 2026, regarding new policy directions to the CRTC and measures to support Canadian culture and recent correspondence between the Attorney General of Canada and the Federal Court of Appeal signaling the government’s intention to replace base contribution requirements with direct government investments.
While we recognize the government’s stated commitment to Canadian storytelling, the June 3 announcement has introduced significant uncertainty into the production sector. The government’s $600 million per year pledge, though appreciated and welcome, is not a substitute for durable, legally enforceable contribution obligations. Discretionary funding is subject to budget and external political pressures; a regulated contribution framework is not. Against that backdrop, the government’s indication that online streamers will still be required to reinvest a portion of their revenues in Canadian and Indigenous content is welcome, but it underscores the need to maintain clear and meaningful contribution requirements.
The purpose of this letter is to urge the government to ensure that new policy directions preserve the principle that foreign streaming services must make meaningful, predictable and enforceable contributions to Canadian programming.
The fifteen per cent (15%) Canadian programming expenditure requirement established by the CRTC in its May 21, 2026 Phase 2 policy decision remains an appropriate benchmark for the resulting regulatory framework and should not be diminished through the replacement of the base contribution mechanism. Maintaining this threshold is fair and proportionate. Alongside sustained government funding, it is essential that a meaningful contribution requirement continue in order to support the long-term stability of the Canadian production sector – from coast to coast to coast.
A fifteen per cent contribution requirement ensures that foreign online streaming services are included within a modernized framework for the Canadian broadcasting system. The Commission’s decision also provided new contribution requirements for large Canadian broadcasting groups. The respective contribution levels are representative of the distinct roles of Canadian broadcasters and foreign online streaming services within a single system and ensure that both will contribute in an appropriate manner to the creation and presentation of Canadian programming.
These contributions are not a tax or a levy. They are investments in the acquisition and production of globally exploitable assets for foreign streaming services, showcasing Canadian stories and talent while strengthening the domestic production ecosystem. Foreign streaming services are well positioned to monetize these assets and have every incentive to do so. In fact, this is the preferred distribution model for global streamers in other countries that have successfully introduced domestic programming contribution requirements.
If Canada does not require that a meaningful share of these contributions be directed to the production and promotion of original Canadian programming in both official languages, in culturally significant genres, we risk weakening Canada’s position as a cultural exporter and diminishing both the domestic and global reach of Canadian stories. Instead of building and sharing our own stories with the world, we would be left watching from the sidelines as foreign content increasingly defines what Canadians see on their screens. At a time when Canada is reaffirming its economic and cultural sovereignty, ensuring that those who benefit from the Canadian market also contribute to Canadian storytelling is not only reasonable but necessary.
Canada’s screen sector is aligned in its view that a predictable, balanced regulatory framework is vital to supporting hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs, attracting private investment, and sustaining industries that generate billions of dollars in economic activity across every region of Canada.
Like you, the undersigned wish to ensure that new public investments and industry contributions are aligned to maximize benefits for Canadian creators and performers, audiences, and the broader economy. Doing so will provide the certainty needed to continue building a vibrant Canadian screen sector for generations to come.
Sincerely, the undersigned.
| Alberta Media Production Industries Association (AMPIA) Kelly Fox, Executive Director Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada (APFC) Carol Ann Pilon, Directrice générale Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) Marie Kelly, National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Anchor Motion Picture Alliance Jenna MacMillan, Executive Director Association des réalisateurs et réalisatrices du Québec (ARRQ) Mylène Cyr, Directrice générale Association of Canadian Film Craftspeople, Local 2020 Unifor Daryl Litke, Business Manager Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM) Helene Messier, Présidente-directrice Atlantic International Film Festival Martha Cooley, Executive Director BIPOC TV & Film Nathalie YounglaiFounder Black Screen Office (BSO) Joan Jenkinson, Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder Black Screen Office Fund (BSOF) Joan Jenkinson, Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder Broadcasting Accessibility Fund (BAF) Richard Cavanagh, CEO/Funding Officer Calgary International Film Festival Katherine Penhale, Executive Director Canadian Film Fest Bern EulerFounder, Executive Director The Canadian Film Institute Tom McSorley, Executive Director Canadian Independent Screen Fund Lalita Krishna, Board Chairperson Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) Reynolds Mastin, President and CEO Coalition MÉDIA Marina Mathieu, Directrice générale Community Radio Fund of Canada Alex Freedman, Executive Director Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) Alistair Hepburn, National Executive Director Disability Screen Office (DSO) Winnie Luk, Executive Director Documentary Organization of Canada (DOC) Julian Carrington, Executive Director Fascinasian Film Festival Alan Wong, President Festival du nouveau cinéma Zoé Protat, Co-Executive Director and Artistic DirectorAriane Bélanger, Co-Executive Director and Administrative Director Friends of Canadian Media Raj Shoan, Executive Director |
Future of Film Showcase Eric Bizzarri, Co-Founder and CEO Gimli Film Festival Teya Zuzek, Executive Director Hot Docs Diana Sanchez, Executive Director IMPACT Samantha Kaine, CEO L’Union des artistes (UDA) Alexandre Curzi, Directeur général Media NB Steve Foster, President Meridian Artists Glenn Cockburn, President NABET Unifor 700M Jayson Mosek, Business Agent Network of Independent Canadian Exhibitors (NICE) Sonya Yokota William, Founder and Director On Screen Manitoba Lindsay Somers, Executive Director Quebec English Language Production Council (QEPC) Kirwan Cox, Executive Director & Head of Policy Racial Equity Media Collective (REMC) Tamara Mariam Dawit, Board MemberGavin Seal, Board Member Racial Equity Screen Office Barbara Lee, Founder & Board Chair Reel Asian International Film Festival Deanna Wong, Executive Director Reel Canada Jack Blum, Executive Director Screen Composers Guild of Canada (SCGC) John Rowley, President Screen Nova Scotia Laura Mackenzie, Executive Director ScreenSask Robert Hardy, Executive Director Société des auteur.e.trice.s de radio, télévision et cinéma (SARTEC) Laurent Dubois, Directeur général St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival Jenn Brown, Executive Director UNIFOR Lana Payne, President Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) Kyle Fostner, Executive Director Whistler Film Festival Josh Epstein, Executive Director Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) Victoria Shen, Executive Director Youth Media Alliance France A. Martin, Executive Director |
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Frankie Valli has a message for anyone predicting his imminent retirement: Not so fast.
After Bobby Valli, the Four Season singer’s brother, recently posted a Facebook message announcing the ailing Frankie’s retirement, the 92-year-old pop icon slapped back. Yesterday, Frankie posted a short and sweet Instagram message: “In spite of what you might have heard, I am not retired. – Frankie.”
The confusion follows Frankie Valli’s decision in May to cancel a 2026 farewell tour due to his ongoing health challenges. He announced at the time, “I’m so sorry to disappoint the folks who have purchased tickets to my shows but I have decided to take the rest of the year off from touring to focus on my health. I’m looking forward to getting healthy and seeing you all again soon. Thank you for all your good wishes.”
Photos of the frail looking singer have since done viral on social media.
Earlier this week, Bobby Valli posted a Facebook message, alongside a 2025 photo of the two brothers, stating, “He has millions of fans who love him dearly. He is now 92 years old. In his illustrious career, he has sold over 100 million records, R&R Hall of Fame. He will now retire. We will always have special memories of Frankie Valli. He has reached a place in his life where his family is there to love, cherish and to be there for him.”
A short time later, Bobby had amended the message, changing “He will now retire” to “In my humble opinion there is the possibility he will stop touring.” The line now reads, “We are all hoping for a speedy recovery and that he can continue to tour and perform his music around the world.”
Yesterday, Bobby posted a message on his now-private Instagram page saying, “I apologize. I was misinformed. I was under the impression my brother Frankie was retiring. Hoping for him to have a speedy recovery to continue his illustrious career!”
All three versions of Bobby’s Facebook messages end with, “He has reached a place in his life where his family is there to love, cherish and to be there for him. We appreciate your love and concern.”
The exact nature of Valli’s health challenges has not been disclosed.
Frankie Valli has been performing for 75 years, reaching his most sustained and widespread success in the 1960s as the lead singer for the hit-making The Four Seasons (“Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” among many others songs). The group’s rags to riches story and music was depicted and celebrated in the hit Broadway stage musical Jersey Boys and its subsequent 2014 film adaptation directed by Clint Eastwood.
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The Pardo d’Oro at the 79th Locarno Film Festival has gone to Florin Șerban’s drama You Don’t Belong Here (Nu E Locul Tau Aici). Scroll down for full list of winners.
The film marks the acclaimed Romanian director’s return to feature filmmaking after eight years. A father-and-son drama, the film was awarded the Pardo d’Oro by the Official Concorso Internazionale Jury “for the strength of its writing, the singularity of its vision, and its exceptional command of cinematic language.”
The movie follows a physician who is crushed when police suspect his teenage son of murdering an old Romani man. He then discovers his son has a secret life vandalizing cars with masked vigilantes.
Meanwhile The Riverbank (A Margem do Rio) by Matheus Farias and Enock Carvalho won the Special Jury Prize, while the Pardo for Best Direction went to Hong Sangsoo for Nowhere to Lay My Eyes (Nun Dul Dega Eomne).
The two Best Performance Awards were given respectively to Kim Minhee for Nowhere to Lay My Eyes and to Monica Bellucci for Ketticè by Giovanni Tortorici. The Pardo d’Oro in the Concorso Cineasti del Presente and the Swatch First Feature Award were both awarded to The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer (La Iusión de un Verano Sin Fin) by Alessandra Sanguinetti.
Giona A. Nazzaro, Artistic Director of the festival, said: “A vital and contemporary slate of awards, in close dialogue with the transformations in the industry and in our world today. Whether in highlighting the Romania of You Don’t Belong Here, or the Brazil of The Riverbank, or the South Korea of Nowhere to Lay My Eyes, the jury upheld the primacy of form and of language, while remaining, in its choices, completely accessible, as the packed and engaged screenings of all competitions demonstrated throughout the festival.”
The closing night in Piazza Grande, on Saturday August 15, will be rounded off with the ceremony for the Prix du Public UBS before the screening of the closing film Ni Vue, Ni Connue (All About Corinne) by Marc Fitoussi with Isabelle Huppert and Sandrine Kiberlain.
This year’s international competition jury was overseen by Belgian filmmaker Fabrice Du Welz.
The 80th Locarno Film Festival has been set to take place from 4 to 14 August 2027.
Full list of Locarno winners (as provided by the festival)
Official Awards
LOCARNO79 OFFICIAL SELECTION
Concorso Internazionale
Concorso Cineasti del Presente
Pardi di Domani
Locarno Kids Screenings
CROSS-SECTION AWARDS
Swatch First Feature Award
Pardo for Change
Independent Juries Awards
Ecumenical Jury Prize
FIPRESCI Prize
Europa Cinemas Label
Junior Jury Awards
Semaine de la Critique Awards
Concorso Internazionale
The official Concorso Internazionale Jury of the 79th Locarno Film Festival composed of:
Jury President
Fabrice Du Welz, Director (Belgium)
Jury Members
Marco Alessi, Producer (Italy)
Lolita Chammah, Actress (France, Italy)
Paulina García, Actress (Chile)
Olivier Père, Executive Director – ARTE France Cinéma and Head of the Cinema Unit – ARTE France (France)
awarded the following prizes:
Pardo d’Oro – Grand Prize of the Festival and City of Locarno
CHF 75,000 to be shared equally between the director and the producer, to:
NU E LOCUL TAU AICI (YOU DON’T BELONG HERE) by Florin Șerban, Romania
Special Jury Prize – Cities of Ascona and Losone
CHF 30,000 to be shared equally between the director and the producer, to:
A MARGEM DO RIO (THE RIVERBANK) by Matheus Farias, Enock Carvalho, Brazil/Germany
Pardo for Best Direction – City and Region of Locarno
CHF 20,000 to the director, to:
Hong Sangsoo for NUN DUL DEGA EOMNE (NOWHERE TO LAY MY EYES), South Korea
Pardo for Best Performance
to Kim Minhee for NUN DUL DEGA EOMNE (NOWHERE TO LAY MY EYES) by Hong Sangsoo, South Korea
Pardo for Best Performance
to Monica Bellucci for KETTICÈ by Giovanni Tortorici, Italy
Special Mention
to Xavier Bergeron for VIOLENCE DU CORPS DE L’AUTRE by Denis Côté, Canada
Special Mention
to Teodor Butănescu for NU E LOCUL TAU AICI (YOU DON’T BELONG HERE) by Florin Șerban, Romania
Concorso
Cineasti del Presente
The official Concorso Cineasti del Presente Jury of the 79th Locarno Film Festival
composed of:
Jury Members
Afef Ben Mahmoud, Actress, director, producer (Tunisia)
Radovan Síbrt, Producer and director (Czech Republic)
Margherita Spampinato, Director, screenwriter, editor (Italy)
awarded the following prizes:
Pardo d’Oro – Concorso Cineasti del Presente
CHF 35,000 to be shared equally between the director and the producer, to:
LA ILUSIÓN DE UN VERANO SIN FIN by Alessandra Sanguinetti, Argentina/USA
Best Emerging Director Award – City and Region of Locarno
CHF 20,000 to the director to:
Beatrice Gibson for AT NIGHT, United Kingdom/France
Special Jury Prize CINE+OCS
A promotional campaign to the value of CHF 25,000 on CINE+OCS channels at the time of its theatrical release in France, to:
REVOLUTIONARIES NEVER DIE by Mohanad Yaqubi, Palestine/Belgium/Qatar
Pardo for Best Performance
to Idrissu Tontie Jr. for EGO REACH WE ALL (OUR TIME WILL COME) by Amartei Armar, Ghana/France/Saudi Arabia
Pardo for Best Performance
to Manal Issa for L’ESTIVE by Naël Khleifi, Lisa Debauche, Belgium/France
Special Mention
to LOS DÍAS LIBRES by Lucila Mariani, Argentina/Brazil/Mexico/France
Special Mention
to HANABI by Ana Vaz, France/Brazil
Pardi di Domani
The official Pardi di Domani Jury of the 79th Locarno Film Festival
composed of:
Jury Members
Mounia Akl, Director (Lebanon)
Steven Markovitz, Producer (South Africa)
Antonio Piazza, Director (Italy)
awarded the following prizes:
Concorso Corti d’Autore
Pardino d’Oro WePresent by WeTransfer for the Best Auteur Short Film
CHF 15,000 to the director, to:
THE BOVINE COMEDY by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, France
Special Mention
to ET SI THUY N’EXISTAIT PAS by Carlo Francisco Manatad, Philippines/France/Indonesia
Concorso Internazionale
Pardino d’Oro Arts3 Foundation for the Best International Short Film
CHF 10,000 to the director, to:
MELK by Filip Anthonissen, Belgium
Pardino d’Argento Arts3 Foundation for the International Competition
CHF 5,000 to the director, to:
KHUFU by Mahmoud Assi, Egypt/France/Sweden/Canada
Pardino for the Best Direction WeShort for the International Competition
CHF 5,000 to the director, to:
MUTRION by Marco Cavazzin, Italy
Locarno Short Film Candidate for the European Film Awards
to MELK by Filip Anthonissen, Belgium
Special Mention
to LAS DAMAS by Camille Zéhenne, France
Concorso Nazionale
Pardino d’Oro SRG SSR for the Best Swiss Short Film
CHF 10,000 to the director, to:
TYPHOON MAMBO by Domenico Singha Pedroli, Switzerland/France/Thailand
Pardino d’Argento SRG SSR for the National Competition
CHF 5,000 to the director, to:
ALLES GUTE by Patricia Strübin, Switzerland
Best Swiss Newcomer Award
which provides equipment and services offered by Downtown Studio (CHF 10,000) and Taurus Studio (CHF 2,000), to:
RESPIRER UNE FOIS SUR TROIS by Charlyne Genoud, Switzerland
Locarno Kids Screenings
The official Locarno Kids Screenings Jury of the 79th Locarno Film Festival composed of:
13 young Jury Members aged between 11 and 15
Carolina Bubba
Maeva Caterino
Leone Cofrancesco
Teresa Faré
Massimo Keller
Elia Longhi
Serena Lydon
Valentina LydoGiacomo Perrone
Mikaela Riaboshtan
Jacopo Rigoni
Viola Rigoni
Anna Zitarelli
awarded the following prizes:
Locarno Kids Award la Mobiliare
CHF 15,000 to the director, to:
PARADEISA by Marleen Valien, Germany
First Feature
The official First Feature Jury of the 79th Locarno Film Festival
composed of:
Jury Members
Matthieu Darras, Film lab director (France)
Sung Moon, Programmer (Republic of Korea)
Klaudia Reynicke, Filmmaker (Switzerland/Peru)
awarded the following prizes:
Swatch First Feature Award
CHF 15,000 to the director, to:
LA ILUSIÓN DE UN VERANO SIN FIN by Alessandra Sanguinetti (Argentina/USA)
Pardo for Change
Founded together with WWF, supported by ARX and Wyss Academy For Nature
The official Pardo for Change Jury of the 79th Locarno Film Festival
composed of:
Jury Members
Gianluca Grossi, Reporter and writer (Switzerland)
Mo Harawe, Filmmaker and screenwriter (Somalia/Austria)
Seta Thakur, Head of Communications and Social Innovation,
Wyss Academy for Nature (Switzerland)
awarded the following prize:
Pardo for Change
CHF 20,000 to the director, to:
EGO REACH WE ALL (OUR TIME WILL COME) by Amartei Armar, Ghana/France/Saudi Arabia
Special Mentions (Feature Film)
to LOS NUEVOS by Rodrigo Plá, Mexico/Spain
Special Mentions (Short Film)
to PRIVATE PROPERTY by Deepak Rauniyar, USA/Nepal/France/Australia
Independent Juries and Awards
Ecumenical Jury Prize
Jury Members
Viera Pirker, Jury President (Germany)
Jean-Luc Gadreau (France)
Juha Rajamäki (Finland)
Sarah Stutte (Switzerland)
The Ecumenical Jury awarded its prize, offered by the Reformed Churches and the Catholic Church of Switzerland, to the value of CHF 10,000 to the director:
Hong Sangsoo for NUN DUL DEGA EOMNE (NOWHERE TO LAY MY EYES), South Korea
FIPRESCI Prize
(International Federation of Film Critics)
Jury Members
Sona Karapoghosyan, Jury President (Armenia)
Mihai Fulger (Romania)
Virat Nehru (Australia)
Georgios Papadimitriou (Greece)
Anne-Sophie Scholl (Switzerland)
The International Federation of Film Critics awarded the International Critics’ Prize (FIPRESCI Prize) to:
LEJOS DE LOS ÁRBOLES (FAR FROM THE TREES) by Meritxell Colell Aparicio, Spain/Peru/Italy
Europa Cinemas Label
Jury Members
Züleyha Azman (The Netherlands)
Erika Borsos (Austria)
Joyce Palmers (Belgium)
Tomasz Poborca (Poland)
The Jury has awarded the Europa Cinemas Label, intended to enhance the circulation of a European film chosen amongst those of the Concorso Internazionale and the Concorso Cineasti del Presente on the screens of the Europa Cinemas network, to:
NU E LOCUL TAU AICI (YOU DON’T BELONG HERE) by Florin Șerban, Romania
Junior Jury Awards
The jury members are selected from the participants in the Cinema & Gioventù initiative, organized by Bellinzona’s Castellinaria Festival del cinema giovane on behalf of the Dipartimento dell’educazione, della cultura e dello sport (DECS) of the Canton Ticino.
The first Junior Jury, composed of Vittorio Di Angelo, Francesco Maria Ippoliti, Virginia Barbacini, Alessia Nunziante, Vittoria Soldaini, Julian Muller, Edoardo Ravina, awarded the following prizes to the three best directors in the Concorso Internazionale:
First Prize (CHF 6,000)
NU E LOCUL TAU AICI (YOU DON’T BELONG HERE) by Florin Șerban, Romania
Second Prize (CHF 4,000)
VIOLENCE DU CORPS DE L’AUTRE (NOBODY’S VIOLENCE) by Denis Côté, Canada
Third Prize (CHF 2,000)
MANHUNT by Wayne Wapeemukwa, Canada
“The Environment is Quality of Life” Prize (CHF 3,000)
offered by the Ticino Department of Internal Affairs:
I RARELY WAKE UP DREAMING by Isabelle Stever, Germany/Ukraine
Special Mention
to D’ICI LÀ by Sarah Leonor, France
The second Junior Jury, composed of Ginevra Gennari, Valentina Verre, Elia Privet, Linda Jam, Maïa Monnet, Clement De Castelberg, Letizia Marrone, assigned a prize of CHF 2,000 to the best film shown in the section Concorso Cineasti del Presente, to:
TEAR GAS by Uta Beria, Georgia/France/Germany
Special Mentions
LA ILUSIÓN DE UN VERANO SIN FIN (THE ILLUSION OF AN EVERLASTING SUMMER) by Alessandra Sanguinetti, Argentina/USA
The third Junior Jury, composed of Ilaria Bosco, Amy Negro, Tania Bignasca, Zoe Thunman, Veselina Tchimova, Beatrice Cereda, awarded the following two prizes, worth CHF 1,500, to the best short films in the Concorso Internazionale and in the Concorso Nazionale of the Pardi di Domani section, one prize to the best short film in the Concorso Corti d’Autore, and the “The environment is quality of life” Prize – worth CHF 2,000 and offered by the Ticino Department of Internal Affairs of the Cantone Ticino – to a short film in the section Open Doors Screenings to:
Pardi di Domani
Concorso Internazionale
HERSHEWE FAZANAWERD (FORGOTTEN SPACEMAN) by Elham Ehsas, United Kingdom/Afghanistan
Concorso Nazionale
RESPIRER UNE FOIS SUR TROIS by Charlyne Genoud, Switzerland
Concorso Corti d’Autore
ÃSHEGHETAM by Filmsaazs, France/Switzerland/Iran
Special Mention – Concorso Internazionale
PREMIER FEU by Blanca Camell Galí, France/Spain
Special Mention – Concorso Corti d’Autore
THE BOVINE COMEDY by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, France
Open Doors Screenings
“The Environment is Quality of Life” Prize
CONCRETE MOVES by Fagamou Fama Ndiaye, Senegal
Semaine de la Critique Awards
Jury Members
Olmo Cerri (Switzerland)
Barbara Miller (Switzerland)
Bettina Oberli (Switzerland)
The Jury has awarded the following prizes:
Grand Prix Semaine de la Critique – Prix SRG SSR
CHF 5,000 to the director and the producer, to:
A TERAZ WIOSNA (BLOSSOMING) by Kamila Serwicka, Poland
Marco Zucchi Award
CHF 2,000 to the formally and most aesthetically innovative documentary, to:
SEUL LE SERPENT SAIT (ONLY THE SERPENT KNOWS) by Olivier Séror, Martin Verdet, France
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The winners are in, as the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival revealed its 2026 awards and special mentions in the Swiss town on Saturday.
In the international competition, Romanian director Florin Șerban’s Nu E Locul Tau Aici (You Don’t Belong Here) was honored with the Pardo d’Oro, or Golden Leopard.
The father-son drama, set in a small town, revolves around a man raising his teenage son, Ioan, alone after the death of his wife. He doesn’t know that his son gets up at night to cycle through town and vandalize cars with a gang of masked vigilantes. His world is shaken when he learns that the police suspect his son of murder.
The film marks the Romanian director’s return to feature filmmaking after eight years. The jury lauded it “for the strength of its writing, the singularity of its vision, and its exceptional command of cinematic language.”
Meanwhile, the Pardo, or Leopard, for best director was awarded to Hong Sangsoo for Nun Dul Dega Eomne (Nowhere to Lay My Eyes). And among the performance honors, Monica Bellucci received one for her role in Giovanni Tortorici’s Ketticè.
In the Filmmakers of the Present Competition, La Ilusión De Un Verano Sin Fin (The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer) by Alessandra Sanguinetti was honored with the Golden Leopard.
Said Locarno artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro: “A vital and contemporary slate of awards, in close dialogue with the transformations in the industry and in our world today. Whether in highlighting the Romania of You Don’t Belong Here, or the Brazil of The Riverbank, or the South Korea of Nowhere to Lay My Eyes, the jury upheld the primacy of form and of language, while remaining, in its choices, completely accessible, as the packed and engaged screenings of all competitions demonstrated throughout the festival.”
Other Locarno 2026 awards were bestowed upon Beatrice Gibson for At Night and Revolutionaries Never Die by Mohanad Yaqubi, among others.
The fest’s closing night will take place in the picturesque Swiss town’s Piazza Grande on Saturday, with Marc Fitoussi’s Ni vue, ni connue (All About Corinne), starring Isabelle Huppert, Sandrine Kiberlain, Anne Marivin, Emmanuelle Bercot and Diane Kruger, as the closing film.
Check out the full list of Locarno 2026 winners below.
Concorso Internazionale (International Competition)
Pardo d’Oro – Grand Prize of the Festival and City of Locarno
CHF 75,000 to be shared equally between the director and the producer
Nu E Locul Tau Aici (You Don’t Belong Here) by Florin Șerban, Romania
Special Jury Prize – Cities of Ascona and Losone
CHF 30,000 to be shared equally between the director and the producer
A Margem do Rio (The Riverbank) by Matheus Farias, Enock Carvalho, Brazil/Germany
Pardo for Best Direction – City and Region of Locarno
CHF 20,000 to the director
Hong Sangsoo for Nun Dul Dega Eomne (Nowhere to Lay My Eyes), South Korea
Pardo for Best Performance
Kim Minhee for Nun Dul Dega Eomne (Nowhere to Lay My Eyes) by Hong Sangsoo, South Korea
Pardo for Best Performance
Monica Bellucci for Ketticè by Giovanni Tortorici, Italy
Special Performance Mentions
Xavier Bergeron for Violence du Corps de L’Autre by Denis Côté, Canada
and
Teodor Butănescu for Nu E Locul Tau Aici (You Don’t Belong Here) by Florin Șerban, Romania
Concorso Cineasti del Presente (Filmmakers of the Present Competition)
Pardo d’Oro – Concorso Cineasti del Presente
CHF 35,000 to be shared equally between the director and the producer
La Ilusión De Un Verano Sin Fin (The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer) by Alessandra Sanguinetti, Argentina/USA
Best Emerging Director Award – City and Region of Locarno
CHF 20,000 to the director
Beatrice Gibson for At Night, United Kingdom/France
Special Jury Prize CINE+OCS
A promotional campaign to the value of CHF 25,000 on CINE+OCS channels at the time of its theatrical release in France
Revolutionaries Never Die by Mohanad Yaqubi, Palestine/Belgium/Qatar
Pardo for Best Performance
Idrissu Tontie Jr. for Ego Reach We All (Our Time Will Come) by Amartei Armar, Ghana/France/Saudi Arabia
Pardo for Best Performance
Manal Issa for L’Estive (Summer Meadow) by Naël Khleifi, Lisa Debauche, Belgium/France
Special Mentions
Los Días Libres (The Days Off) by Lucila Mariani, Argentina/Brazil/Mexico/France
and
Hanabi (Fire Flower) by Ana Vaz, France/Brazil
Pardi di Domani (Leopards of Tomorrow)
Concorso Corti d’Autore Pardino d’Oro WePresent by WeTransfer for the Best Auteur Short Film
CHF 15,000 to the director
The Bovine Comedy by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, France
Special Mention
Et si Thuy n’existait pas (And if Thuy Didn’t Exist) by Carlo Francisco Manatad, Philippines/France/Indonesia
Concorso Internazionale Pardino d’Oro Arts3 Foundation for the Best International Short Film
CHF 10,000 to the director
Melk by Filip Anthonissen, Belgium
Pardino d’Argento Arts3 Foundation for the International Competition
CHF 5,000 to the director
Khufu by Mahmoud Assi, Egypt/France/Sweden/Canada
Pardino for the Best Direction WeShort for the International Competition
CHF 5,000 to the director
Mutrion by Marco Cavazzin, Italy
Locarno Short Film Candidate for the European Film Awards
Melk by Filip Anthonissen, Belgium
Special Mention
Las Damas by Camille Zéhenne, France
Concorso Nazionale Pardino d’Oro SRG SSR for the Best Swiss Short Film
CHF 10,000 to the director
Typhoon Mambo by Domenico Singha Pedroli, Switzerland/France/Thailand
Pardino d’Argento SRG SSR for the National Competition
CHF 5,000 to the director
Alles Gute (Take Care) by Patricia Strübin, Switzerland
Best Swiss Newcomer Award
Equipment and services offered by Downtown Studio (CHF 10,000) and Taurus Studio (CHF 2,000)
Respirer Une Fois Sur Trois by Charlyne Genoud, Switzerland
OTHER AWARDS
Swatch First Feature Award
CHF 15,000 to the director
La Ilusión De Un Verano Sin Fin (The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer) by Alessandra Sanguinetti
Pardo for Change
CHF 20,000 to the director
Ego Reach We All (Our Time Will Come) by Amartei Armar
Special Mentions
Los Nuevos (The Newcomers) by Rodrigo Plá, Mexico/Spain
and
Private Property by Deepak Rauniyar, USA/Nepal/France/Australia
Locarno Kids Award la Mobiliare
CHF 15,000 to the director
Paradeisa by Marleen Valien, Germany
Independent Juries and Awards
Ecumenical Jury Prize
CHF 10,000 to the director
Hong Sangsoo for Nun Dul Dega Eomne (Nowhere to Lay My Eyes), South Korea
FIPRESCI Prize (International Federation of Film Critics)
Lejos de Los Árboles (Far from the Trees) by Meritxell Colell Aparicio, Spain/Peru/Italy
Europa Cinemas Label
Nu E Locul Tau Aici (You Don’t Belong Here) by Florin Șerban, Romania
Semaine de la Critique Awards (Critics’ Week)
Grand Prix Semaine de la Critique – Prix SRG SSR
CHF 5,000 to the director and the producer
A Teraz Wiosna (Blossoming) by Kamila Serwicka, Poland
Marco Zucchi Award
CHF 2,000 to the formally and most aesthetically innovative documentary
Seul Le Serpent Sait (Only the Serpent Knows) by Olivier Séror, Martin Verdet, France
Junior Jury Awards
International Competition
First Prize (CHF 6,000)
Nu E Locul Tau Aici (You Don’t Belong Here) by Florin Șerban, Romania
Second Prize (CHF 4,000)
Violence du Corps de L’Autre by Denis Côté, Canada
Third Prize (CHF 2,000)
Manhunt by Wayne Wapeemukwa, Canada
“The Environment Is Quality of Life” Prize
CHF 3,000 offered by the Ticino Department of Internal Affairs
I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming by Isabelle Stever, Germany/Ukraine
Special Mention
D’Ici Là by Sarah Leonor, France
Pardi di Domani
International Competition
Hershewe Fazanawerd (Forgotten Spaceman) by Elham Ehsas, United Kingdom/Afghanistan
National Competition
Respirer Une Fois Sur Trois by Charlyne Genoud, Switzerland
Auteur Short Films
Ãsheghetam by Filmsaaz, France/Switzerland/Iran
Special Mention – International Competition
Premier Feu (First Fire) by Blanca Camell Galí, France/Spain
Special Mention – Auteur Short Films
The Bovine Comedy by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, France
Open Doors Screenings – “The Environment Is Quality of Life” Prize
Concrete Moves by Fagamou Fama Ndiaye, Senegal
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