Locarno Film Festival

About Locarno Film Festival

A high-prestige festival founded in 1946 on Lake Maggiore, Locarno is selective but not impossible with a bold film. It offers generous lodging and transport help, hundreds of thousands in prizes, and screenings before 8,000 people on the Piazza Grande.

Awards this festival can qualify you for

• BAFTA Short · British Short Film

  Screening in official competition at Locarno qualifies a British short film for BAFTA nomination. No win required.

• BIFA Best Film · Best British Independent Film

  In-person official selection at Locarno qualifies a British independent film for BIFA entry. No win required.

• CSA Animated · Canadian Screen Award — Best Animated Short

  Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

• CSA Doc Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Documentary Short Film

  Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

• CSA Feature Doc · Canadian Screen Award — Best Feature Length Documentary

  Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

• CSA Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Live Action Short Drama

  Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

• EFA Short · Best European Short Film

  Film must win the EFA-candidate prize at this festival to be nominated for the EFA Short Film Award. Must be a European production (majority EU/EEA financing).

Locarno Film Festival submission FAQ

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