Throughout its 62 year history, the Locarno International Film Festival has occupied a unique position in the landscape of the major film festivals. Every August around 180,000 cinema-goers, 1,100 journalists and 3,400 industry professionals converge on the small Swiss-Italian town of Locarno, right in the heart of Europe, which becomes the world capital of auteur cinema for eleven days.

Geographically located at the crossroads of three major regions of Switzerland, with an audience that reflects these three major European cultures (Italian, German and French), the Locarno Festival has made an asset of its special situation. Its long-standing tradition of openness and dialogue have made it an ideal platform for the promotion of national cinema from Europe and the world over, from South America to Asia.

Locarno knows no borders, geographic, thematic or stylistic, and in a dozen different sections it welcomes all kinds of films, and all kinds of formats. Then, at nightfall, before an audience of 8,000 people, the famous open-air screenings in the extraordinary setting of the Piazza Grande are celebratory and magical occasions for all movie fans.

An essential diary date for cinéphiles, Locarno is also recognized by professionals the world over as an invaluable meeting place and arena for discovery, with a wide range of quality films – screened as world or international premieres – where tomorrow’s talent can be found, with assistance from a dynamic and specialist Industry Office. Locarno provides a convivial and informal ambiance, a good-time festival, where, together, the public, professionals and creative talents alike come to get a taste of the youth and vitality of contemporary cinema.

Last but not least, Locarno – also known as the "Lady of the Camellias" – lures visitors with its southern charm, Mediterranean climate and sub-tropical vegetation. This beautiful setting is the ideal starting point for numerous excursions, whether a boat trip on Lake Maggiore or a trip into the remote valleys of Locarno's hinterland.

Highlights 2009

The 62nd edition of the Locarno Festival will include: the “Manga Impact” Retrospective, dedicated to the world of Japanese animation (www.mangaimpact.com), a focus on Greater China within the Open Doors co-production lab (China, Hong Kong and Taiwan), and many other events to be announced.

The 2009 program will also feature the traditional main sections of the Festival: the open-air night screenings in Piazza Grande with an audience of 8,000, the prestigious International Competition, the more radical Filmmakers of the Present Competition, the Leopards of Tomorrow international short films competition, the Critics’ Week (documentaries) and Appellations Suisse (Swiss features) programs.

For more information, please see:    
*   Festival internazionale del film Locarno
* www.pardo.ch

Information from http://www.myswitzerland.com/