The value of cinema through the words of Raphaël Brunschwig, Managing Director of the Locarno Film Festival

In the heart of summer, Locarno becomes a vibrant crossroads of cultures and creativity, thanks to the Locarno Film Festival, scheduled this year from 7 to 17 August. Founded in 1946, the Festival has always been a benchmark for independent and auteur cinema, acting as a stage for emerging voices and as an arena for cultural interaction.

In this interview, Raphaël Brunschwig, Managing Director of the Locarno Film Festival, guides us through the rich history of the Festival, its role in contemporary digital society and the precious collaboration with IBSA, which contributes to driving its innovative and inclusive spirit.

Can you tell us the history of the Locarno Film Festival and what its main objectives have been since its foundation?

The Locarno Film Festival was born immediately after the end of the Second World War. From the beginning, in the fervour of a post-war restart, the objective was to promote cinema as an art form and a tool for cultural dialogue. In this sense, it has always stood out for its attention to independent and auteur cinema, giving voice to emerging directors and offering a platform for works that often do not find a place within the commercial mainstream. The first screening, O sole mio by Giacomo Gentilomo, was certainly symbolic, an open-air screening in the historic Grand Hotel, which will reopen in the coming years.

During the Cold War, the Festival played a significant role in promoting the intercultural dialogue, giving equal space to Western, Soviet and Chinese cinema. An approach that allowed the Festival to become a meeting point between different cinematographic cultures, promoting mutual understanding in a period of strong international tension. An example was the screening of Kompozitor Glinka (“Man of Music”) by Grigorij Aleksandrov, historical collaborator of Maestro Sergej Ėjzenštejn.

Over the years, the Locarno Film Festival has evolved, becoming a launching pad for many directors who have gone on to become internationally famous. For example, directors such as Spike Lee and Jim Jarmusch presented their first works in Locarno.

Cultural aggregation in the digital age. What is the value of these festivals in contemporary society?

Furthermore, the Festival has developed a strong bond with the local community, becoming a cultural reference point for the City of Locarno and for the whole of Ticino. Piazza Grande, with its outdoor screen, has become a symbol of the Festival, offering thousands of spectators the opportunity to enjoy cinema under the stars, in a unique atmosphere.

Meetings, debates and workshops, in addition to screenings: What is the role of these events in the overall Festival experience, and how do they contribute to promoting cinema and encouraging cultural exchange?

Side events are essential to enrich the overall experience of the Festival. They are moments of discussion that allow participants to refine their knowledge and come into direct contact with movie professionals. Furthermore, they contribute to one of the Festival’s missions: promoting cinema as a means of cultural exchange.

Film festivals often represent a springboard for young filmmakers or those coming from less commercially visible countries. How does the Locarno Film Festival support and promote these emerging talents?

The Locarno Film Festival has always had a particular focus on young directors and emerging talents. Through dedicated activities – such as the section Concorso Cineasti del Presente (“Filmmakers of the Present” competition) – the Festival offers a platform to new authors from all over the world. Furthermore, thanks to initiatives such as the Locarno Academy, young professionals have the opportunity to participate in workshops, masterclasses and meetings with industry experts, receiving support and training to develop their skills.

Through the IBSA Foundation, IBSA supports culture as a critical component for the overall well-being of the person. What is the added value of your partnership with IBSA?

The collaboration with IBSA and other private sector partners is of great importance for the Locarno Film Festival. These partnerships offer the opportunity to innovate and experiment with new forms of film promotion and distribution. Thanks to this support, the Festival can organise special events and masterclasses with internationally renowned directors, and develop educational projects involving schools and universities. In addition to financial support, these partnerships bring added value in terms of visibility and human and technological resources; just think of what we do with IBSA in terms of reinforcing inclusiveness and social and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, it is truly stimulating and rewarding to see that there are companies like IBSA that share our vision of culture, intended as an essential element for the individual and collective well-being. Cinema has a great healing – as well as aggregative – power. And these days we surely need it.