While many European festivals are grappling with their identity, the Locarno Film Festival, whose 68th edition will run Aug. 5-15, has remained true to its mission of promoting new talent and art house cinema. It all started in the late 1940s with an emphasis on Italian neorealist directors such as Roberto Rossellini and evolved into a showcase for offbeat filmmakers from around the world. This year’s guest list is typically diverse, ranging from reclusive helmer Michael Cimino to cult actor Udo Kier and frank Hollywood “It” girl Amy Schumer. Here are four reasons to travel (a three-hour train ride or 1½-hour drive from Milan airport) to this year’s event.
A Boost in (Euro) Indie Cred
Locarno artistic director Carlo Chatrian unabashedly shares the same goals for promoting film as Sundance chief John Cooper. Locarno programmers make the trip to Park City each January, and Cooper came to Switzerland last year to compare notes with Chatrian. “Neither Sundance nor Locarno invite films just to get talent,” says producer Martin Marquet, who has a short film in this year’s lineup. “Films want to have that brand on their posters.” Adds Chatrian: “Whenever it’s possible, we do what we can to help independent cinema.”

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