The Locarno Film Festival and SRG have maintained a close and successful collaboration since 1997. As a public service company with strong cooperation across language regions, SRG helps to make Switzerland's cultural diversity and artistic creation visible— and carry it beyond national borders into the world.
As part of the partnership, SRG supports the 'Pardi di Domani' competition with the 'Pardino d'Oro SRG SSR for the Best Swiss Short Film' and the 'Pardino d'argento SRG SSR for the National Competition'.
SRG Co-productions and Premieres in Locarno
With 'Der Engelmacher' by Marina Klauser, an SRG documentary series is featured in the Fuori Concorso program for the first time. The series highlights a historical criminal case and represents the growing importance of documentary series formats in Swiss filmmaking. Also in this program section, the RTS co-production 'Ah que le bonheur est proche', a tribute to the Swiss actor Jean-Luc Bideau, will be presented as a pre-premiere. 'Frank and Louis' by Petra Volpe will have its European premiere on the Piazza Grande following a standing ovation at the Sundance Film Festival. This touching drama is one of the most noted Swiss productions of the year. In the Concorso internazionale, 'O Jacaré' by Basil da Cunha, an intense portrait of urban life, is screened as another testament to the diversity of Swiss auteur cinema.
SRG Events and Encounters at the Festival
This year, SRG invites guests to various events intended to encourage interaction with the film industry and festival audience.
SRG is again the Creative Partner of BaseCamp, which offers young filmmakers a space for exchange and experimentation. The partnership strengthens dialogue with a youthful, film-affine target audience.
On Friday, August 7th, from 16:00 to 18:00, the Aperitivo della SRG SSR takes place in the Castello Visconteo—a meeting point for filmmakers, partners, and industry representatives. Directly following, from 18:30 onwards, also in the Castello Visconteo, is Play Friday: Una serata tra partner creativi, an evening dedicated to exchange, networking, and creative collaboration.
On Saturday, August 8th, RTS invites guests to the Petit déjeuner RTS, a morning exchange format with guests from the Swiss film and media landscape. Also on Saturday, beginning at 22:30, is the Notte Svizzera—an event of the festival in collaboration with regional film funds and SRG. The event in the Magistrale - Piazza S. Francesco celebrates Swiss filmmaking and brings together the audience, filmmakers, and partner organizations.
Additionally, from August 5th to 9th, SRG will be present at the 'Rotonda by la Mobiliare' with an RSI stand where various activities are offered for the audience.
Play Suisse Collection for the Locarno Film Festival
In connection with the Locarno Film Festival, Play Suisse will provide a curated special selection of 16 films from various festival editions starting August 30th. The collection invites viewers to rediscover influential works from the recent Swiss film scene.
Highlights include:
- 'Mary Anning' by Marcel Barelli (Kids Award 2025)
- 'O Rio de Janeiro continua lindo' by Felipe Casanova (Pardino d'Oro SRG SSR for the Best Swiss Short Film 2025)
- 'The Deal' by Jean-Stéphane Bron (Premiere Fuori Concorso Locarno 2025)
The collection is available for free on the SRG streaming platform and is aimed at all those who wish to experience the festival flair beyond the Piazza.
Press Contact:
Media Contact SRG SSR
Nik Leuenberger
media@srgssr.ch / Tel. 058 136 21 21