Locarno Film Festival Unveils New Kids' Competition and Youth Jury
Celebrating Young Voices: A New Era for Locarno Kids
Introducing the Locarno Kids Award la Mobiliare
For its 2026 iteration, the esteemed Locarno Film Festival is proud to unveil a groundbreaking competitive category specifically designed for films targeting young viewers. This fresh segment will feature a selection of feature films from across the globe, all making their world or international debuts, showcasing the rich variety of family-oriented cinematic storytelling.
The Vision Behind the Youth-Focused Competition
These selected films will vie for the prestigious Locarno Kids Award la Mobiliare. What makes this award unique is that the winners will be determined by a jury composed entirely of young people, aged between 11 and 15, offering a truly youth-centric perspective on the cinematic art form.
Diverse Cinematic Explorations for Young Audiences
The inaugural competition will showcase seven films, each an international or world premiere, representing a broad spectrum of genres and storytelling traditions. These cinematic works promise to be both captivating and thought-provoking for their young audiences.
A Curatorial Approach to Engaging Youth
Daniela Persico, the programmer for Locarno Kids Screenings, articulated the ambition behind this new competitive section. She emphasized the goal of curating a program that fully embraces cinematic possibilities, offering a journey that is both surprising and accessible to even the youngest viewers. The selection doesn't shy away from contemporary complexities, addressing significant topics such as education, environmental concerns, and societal issues.
Themes of Independence and Identity in Featured Films
The films in this category will feature young protagonists, often accompanied by animal companions or loyal friends, as they navigate the challenging journey toward independence. These narratives aim to highlight the importance of asserting one's identity and how individual uniqueness can contribute positively to a community.
Spotlight on Notable Selections
Among the chosen films are the Swiss nature documentary Derborence the Age of Animals, animated features like France's Children of Liberty and Colombia's MU-KI-RA, and the Mexican adventure film The Newcomers. Additionally, coming-of-age stories such as Italy's The Summer That Ended Twice and Germany's Paradeisa, along with the Danish social documentary If Luck Will Come, exploring a circus for disadvantaged children in Afghanistan, are included.
Out-of-Competition Highlights
Two additional films will be presented outside the main competition: the Italian-Swiss collaboration Angel Seekers, which follows a teenager's foray into social activism, and the French animated feature Viva Carmen, a Cannes premiere that reinterprets the classic opera through the eyes of street children.
Festival Dates and Complete Program Overview
The 79th Locarno Film Festival is scheduled to run from August 5th to 15th. The festival encourages attendees to explore the comprehensive list of films included in the Locarno Kids Screenings for a full appreciation of this exciting new program.
