LOCARNO – The Locarno Film Festival, a cornerstone of the international cinematic calendar, has officially revealed the initial details of its eagerly awaited 2025 edition. Scheduled to unfold from August 6 to 16, 2025, the festival has announced a compelling line-up featuring several significant world premieres poised to compete for the prestigious Golden Leopard awards.
The International Competition Unveiled
The heart of the festival, the International Competition (Concorso Internazionale), will showcase a curated selection of 17 films from around the globe. These features will vie for the festival’s top honors, recognized for their artistic vision and innovative storytelling. The announcement of the competing titles sets the stage for eleven days of intense cinematic discovery and critical discourse on the shores of Lake Maggiore.
Spotlight on Anticipated World Premieres
Among the most notable films making their global debut within the competitive section are works by critically acclaimed filmmakers, promising to bring diverse perspectives and challenging narratives to the forefront.
One highly anticipated world premiere is “Dracula” from distinguished Romanian filmmaker Radu Jude. Jude, an artist celebrated for his provocative and often satirical approach to history and contemporary life, is notably a Berlinale Golden Bear winner, underscoring the significance of his inclusion in Locarno’s top competition. His latest feature is described as a comedy drama, a genre perhaps unexpectedly applied to one of literature’s most iconic figures.
The film is a multi-national undertaking, produced as a Romania-Austria-Luxembourg co-production, highlighting the collaborative spirit often found in independent European cinema. Intriguingly, “Dracula” was shot and set in Transylvania, the region intrinsically linked to the lore of its titular character. The narrative is poised to explore the complex and enduring legend of Dracula, likely through Jude’s signature blend of humor and socio-political commentary. International sales for the film are being handled by Luxbox.
Also premiering in the International Competition is Kamal Aljafari’s latest work, titled “With Hasan In Gaza“. While specific details about Aljafari’s film were not extensively detailed in the initial announcement, its selection as a world premiere in Locarno’s main competition signifies its importance and the festival’s commitment to showcasing a wide range of global voices and narratives.
Significance of the Locarno Selection
The Locarno Film Festival holds a unique position among major international festivals, renowned for its bold programming and its role in championing auteur cinema and discovering new talent. Premiering a film in the International Competition at Locarno provides filmmakers with a significant platform, attracting international critics, distributors, and audiences.
The inclusion of established figures like Radu Jude, alongside other prominent names, reinforces Locarno’s reputation as a festival dedicated to artistic innovation and cinematic excellence. The diverse geographical origins and thematic approaches of the selected films promise a rich and engaging program for the 2025 edition.
Looking Ahead to August 2025
As the Locarno Film Festival continues to unveil its full program in the coming months, anticipation will build for the August 6 to 16, 2025 dates. The announcement of key world premieres like Radu Jude’s “Dracula” and Kamal Aljafari’s “With Hasan In Gaza” provides an exciting glimpse into the cinematic landscape that the 78th edition of the festival will present, promising thought-provoking and memorable experiences for festival-goers and the global film community.
More Stories
Forbes Features Sentinel’s Enhanced Master Chief RE:Edit Figure Release
Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 Arrives January 29, 2026, Focusing on Benedict’s Cinderella Romance
London’s 2026 Theatre Scene Explodes: New Musicals, Star-Studded Plays, and Premiere Dates Announced