Everything you need to know about the 2018 Locarno Festival
The Locarno Festival is the regarded annual film festival held every August in the stunning, mountainous setting of Locarno, Switzerland. Founded in 1946, it is one of the longest-running feature-length and short film festivals and has earned itself a reputation over the years for being a prestigious platform for art house flicks. With the 2018 event just around the corner, we’re turning our spotlight to the upcoming edition of the Locarno Festival, which will be artistic director Carlo Chatrian’s last year before he takes over the Berlinale. Once again, the slate is packed full of a wide variety of unique and spectacular movies from established filmmakers and up-and-coming directors. The 71st Locarno Festival will take place from August 1 to 11, with a diverse program filled with shorts and features from international talent.
Overall festival introduction and dates
Founded in 1946, the Locarno Festival is held annually in August in Locarno, Switzerland. The 79th edition is scheduled for August 5-15, 2026, continuing the festival’s long tradition of showcasing international cinema in its signature mountain setting.
2018 program details and statistics
The 71st edition took place August 1-11, 2018. A Land Imagined won the Golden Leopard, marking a notable achievement for the Singaporean director Yeo Siew Hua and the festival’s main competition.
Artistic director and transition
Carlo Chatrian served as artistic director from 2013 to 2018 before becoming Berlinale director from 2020 to 2024, completing the transition referenced in coverage of that period.
Guest appearances and awards
Ethan Hawke and Meg Ryan appeared at the 2018 festival, adding star presence to the program alongside tributes to established figures in cinema.
Legacy of the 2018 Edition
A Land Imagined won the Golden Leopard at the 71st edition. The film marked the first Southeast Asian winner in the main competition, giving the previewed year a lasting place in the festival’s record.
Artistic Direction and Leadership Evolution
Giona A. Nazzaro is the current artistic director as of 2026. Chatrian led Locarno from 2013 to 2018 before heading the Berlinale until 2024, illustrating the steady rotation of leadership that has kept the event’s programming focused and international.
Recent Golden Leopard Winners
2025 Golden Leopard went to Two Seasons, Two Strangers by Sho Miyake. 2023 winner was Critical Zone by Ali Ahmadzadeh, showing the continued range of voices recognized by the jury in recent years.
Piazza Grande Today
The venue seats up to 8,000 and remains the festival’s flagship open-air cinema. 2025 Piazza Grande featured 14 films with multiple world premieres, preserving the communal scale that has defined the festival since its early decades.
With dozens of movies set to premiere at the singular Swiss festival and a lineup featuring top picks from Sundance, Tribeca, and Cannes, as well as new titles from returning favorites and up-and-coming talent, Locarno looks set to play host to yet another buzzworthy edition of its annual film festival.
