The recent Locarno Film Festival culminated in a celebration of cinematic excellence, with Florin Șerban's poignant film, 'You Don't Belong Here,' earning the coveted Golden Leopard. This significant recognition highlights the film's powerful exploration of anti-Roma discrimination. The festival also lauded established and rising talents, as Hong Sangsoo was distinguished as Best Director and both Kim Minhee and Monica Bellucci were honored for their outstanding acting performances. Beyond the primary competition, Argentinian newcomer Alessandra Sanguinetti's 'The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer' made a notable impact, securing a major award and underscoring the festival's commitment to showcasing diverse voices in filmmaking.
The 2026 Locarno Film Festival, a prestigious event in the international cinema calendar, concluded with its much-anticipated awards ceremony. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Golden Leopard, the festival's highest honor, to Florin Șerban for his film 'You Don't Belong Here.' This Romanian production delves into the sensitive and critical issue of anti-Roma racism, resonating deeply with the jury and audience alike. A special mention was also given to Teodor Butănescu, the young star of Șerban's film, for his compelling performance.
Korean filmmaker Hong Sangsoo continued his successful streak at the Swiss festival, being recognized as Best Director for his latest work, 'Nowhere to Lay My Eyes,' a family drama characterized by its dry wit. Adding to the acclaim for 'Nowhere to Lay My Eyes,' Kim Minhee, Hong's frequent collaborator and muse, shared the gender-neutral Best Performance award. This marks her second win in this category at Locarno, having previously received the same honor for her role in Hong's 'By the Stream' just two years prior. Joining her in this esteemed recognition was Italian screen icon Monica Bellucci, celebrated for her supporting role in Giovanni Tortorici's coming-of-age narrative, 'Ketticè.'
In the Filmmakers of the Present Competition, 'The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer,' directed by Alessandra Sanguinetti, a debut from Argentina, was awarded the Golden Leopard for Best Film, signaling a promising new talent in the industry. Beatrice Gibson was named Best Emerging Director for 'At Night,' and the Special Jury Prize went to Mohanad Yaqubi for 'Revolutionaries Never Die.' Performances in this section were also recognized, with Idrissu Tontie Jr. for 'Our Time Will Come' and Manal Issa for 'Summer Meadow' receiving Best Performance awards. The festival's commitment to nurturing new voices was further evident in the First Feature Competition, where Alessandra Sanguinetti's 'The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer' once again triumphed with the First Feature Award.
The Leopard of Tomorrow Competition, focusing on short films, saw Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke's 'The Bovine Comedy' win Best Auteur Short Film, and Filip Anthonissen's 'Melk' awarded Best International Short Film, also securing the Locarno Short Film Candidate for the European Film Awards. The Locarno Kids Competition honored Marleen Valien's 'Paradeisa' with the Locarno Kids Award, while the Pardo for Change Award went to Amartei Armar's 'Our Time Will Come.' Independent juries, including the Ecumenical Jury and FIPRESCI, also bestowed honors, highlighting a broad spectrum of critical appreciation across the festival's diverse program. These accolades collectively painted a vibrant picture of contemporary global cinema, acknowledging both established masters and breakthrough artists.
The festival's awards broadly distributed recognition across its various competitive sections. The International Competition saw Florin Șerban's 'You Don't Belong Here' claim the Golden Leopard, with Teodor Butănescu receiving a special mention for his acting. Hong Sangsoo earned Best Direction for 'Nowhere to Lay My Eyes,' and both Kim Minhee (for 'Nowhere to Lay My Eyes') and Monica Bellucci (for 'Ketticè') were celebrated for their performances. The Filmmakers of the Present Competition recognized 'The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer' with its Golden Leopard, Beatrice Gibson as Best Emerging Director, and 'Revolutionaries Never Die' with the Special Jury Prize. Acting honors in this category went to Idrissu Tontie Jr. and Manal Issa. 'The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer' also secured the First Feature Award. Short film categories, 'Leopard of Tomorrow,' saw 'The Bovine Comedy' and 'Melk' take top honors in their respective sections. Further awards included the Locarno Kids Award for 'Paradeisa' and the Pardo for Change Award for 'Our Time Will Come.' Independent juries also contributed to the awards, with 'Nowhere to Lay My Eyes' receiving the Ecumenical Jury Award and 'Far From the Trees' earning the FIPRESCI Prize, underscoring the critical acclaim received by various works throughout the festival.
