German manufacturing takes the lead as top preference
The 78th Locarno Film Festival, which opened on August 6, 2025, is showcasing a diverse range of films from around the globe. This year's competition features 18 films vying for the festival's most prestigious award, the Golden Leopard.
Among the top contenders are notable works such as Yakushima’s Illusion by Japanese director Naomi Kawase, starring Luxembourgian actress Vicky Krieps. Another standout is Le Lac by Swiss director Fabrice Aragno. The Lugano-based Cinédokké co-produced Le Bambine, directed by Italian sisters Valentina and Nicole Bertani.
Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due, the third film in Abdellatif Kechiche's Mektoub, My Love series, is also a contender. Radu Jude's Dracula, a comedy drama exploring the legend of the Transylvania vampire, is another film to watch. Mare's Nest by UK filmmaker Ben Rivers tells the story of a child traveling through an adult-free world.
The politically resonant documentary With Hasan In Gaza by Palestinian filmmaker Kamal Aljafari is also in the running. This film, which shows scenes of life in Gaza in 2001, challenges the audience to relate the snapshots to the present.
The US-German co-production The Dead of Winter has particularly stood out in the competition. Emma Thompson, a double British Oscar winner, received a festival honor for her role in this film. Thompson's performance demonstrates that women can move mountains with sharp minds and full physical effort even beyond the age of 60.
Swissinfo highlights the inclusion of two Swiss co-productions among the main contenders, reflecting local contributions to the festival’s international roster. The festival’s jury is presided over by Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner.
Each contender brings a distinct narrative and artistic vision, reflecting contemporary global cinema’s breadth. From personal, introspective stories like Kawase's Yakushima’s Illusion, to politically resonant works such as Aljafari’s With Hasan In Gaza, and innovative formats like Rivers' Mare’s Nest, this selection demonstrates Locarno’s commitment to showcasing bold and original filmmaking from around the world.
The 78th Locarno Film Festival is centred around German cinema, with four international co-productions with German involvement competing: Dry Leaf, Donkey Days, White Snail, and With Hasan in Gaza. The film Longing in Sangerhausen, a multifaceted portrait of society, received great applause at the festival, alongside Berlin, Cannes, and Venice. This film, directed by Julian Radlmaier, opened the international competition.
The gala for the awards will be held on the evening of August 16th on the Piazza Grande in Locarno. Some festival-goers question if With Hasan in Gaza requires too much knowledge from the audience, but many believe the intensity of the images deserves an award. White Snail, centered around Belarusian Masha's dreams of a modeling career, is a top favorite for the Golden Leopard.
Even if no award goes to Germany, the 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival is already a success for German cinema due to its strong numerical presence. Emma Thompson, who received a festival honor for her role in The Dead of Winter, was celebrated by thousands of film fans on the Piazza Grande during the premiere of this film.
[1] Swissinfo article
[2] Locarno Film Festival official website
[3] Jessica Hausner's IMDb page
- The diverse selection of movies-and-tv at the 78th Locarno Film Festival includes international co-productions like Swissinfo's mention of Le Lac and The Dead of Winter.
- Other notable works in the festival's competition, such as Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due and With Hasan In Gaza, offer a range of narratives and artistic visions that showcase contemporary global entertainment.
