Locarno Film Festival 2026 Features Films by Hong Sang-soo and Albert Serra

The Locarno International Film Festival announced its 79th edition lineup on Thursday, featuring notable films from acclaimed directors such as Hong Sang-soo and Albert Serra. Taking place from August 5-15, 2026, the festival will showcase a diverse selection of films, including 103 world premieres from various countries.

Highlights of the 2026 Locarno Film Festival Lineup

This year’s lineup includes contributions from international filmmakers, featuring works like ‘Nowhere to Lay My Eyes’ by Hong Sang-soo and ‘Afternoons of Solitude’ by Albert Serra. Notable entries in the competition program also include ‘Dreaming & Dying’ by Nelson Yeo and new films from Vincent Grashaw and Erin Vassilopoulos.

World Premieres and Special Screenings

The festival is set to screen a total of 223 films, with 103 world premieres, highlighting a broad range of cinematic voices. The main section, Piazza Grande, will host premieres including ‘Ni Vue, Ni Connue’ featuring Isabelle Huppert and ‘I Is Another’ starring Claes Bang. Locarno's artistic director, Giona A. Nazzaro, described the program as “an adventurous selection, full of surprises.”

Record Submissions and Gender Representation

This year, the festival noted a record of 7,759 submissions, a nearly 22 percent increase from 2025, with 25 percent of features directed by women. This includes five out of seventeen films in the international competition, showcasing a commitment to diversity in cinema.

• Key Films:
• ‘Nowhere to Lay My Eyes’ by Hong Sang-soo
• ‘Afternoons of Solitude’ by Albert Serra
• ‘Dreaming & Dying’ by Nelson Yeo
• ‘Keep Quiet’ by Vincent Grashaw

As the festival approaches, anticipation builds around the unique stories and voices that will be presented, reflecting the changing landscape of global cinema.