The Locarno Film Festival has created a new industry advisory board that includes veteran producer Ted Hope, EFM founder Beki Probst and Mubi SVP of content Bobby Allen.
Locarno said the advisory board would help it navigate shifts in the independent cinema landscape.
The advisory board is headed by Nadia Dresti, the former marketing director of 20th Century Fox Switzerland. Her relationship with the festival goes back to the founding of its industry initiative Locarno Pro in 2000. Since 2022, Dresti has served as a member of the festival’s board of directors.
Working with her will be seven board members whose...
Locarno said the advisory board would help it navigate shifts in the independent cinema landscape.
The advisory board is headed by Nadia Dresti, the former marketing director of 20th Century Fox Switzerland. Her relationship with the festival goes back to the founding of its industry initiative Locarno Pro in 2000. Since 2022, Dresti has served as a member of the festival’s board of directors.
Working with her will be seven board members whose...
- 2/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
The Locarno Film Festival has formed an advisory board for its industry side and recruited a roster of top indie industry figures including former Amazon Studios film executive Ted Hope, Bobby Allen, who is senior VP of content at Mubi, and former European Film Market chief Beki Probst as members.
Locarno’s industry advisory board will be headed by Nadia Dresti, the former head of the prominent Swiss indie cinema event’s market side who has been with Locarno intermittently for roughly 30 years with an interlude for a few years as head of marketing for Fox Switzerland.
“I am delighted that in this ever-changing audiovisual landscape, the Locarno Film Festival has decided to initiate an ongoing conversation with industry professionals who will advise the board of directors on issues concerning the festival’s future,” Dresti said in a statement. “Together we will tackle relevant issues with the aim of providing invaluable industry insights.
Locarno’s industry advisory board will be headed by Nadia Dresti, the former head of the prominent Swiss indie cinema event’s market side who has been with Locarno intermittently for roughly 30 years with an interlude for a few years as head of marketing for Fox Switzerland.
“I am delighted that in this ever-changing audiovisual landscape, the Locarno Film Festival has decided to initiate an ongoing conversation with industry professionals who will advise the board of directors on issues concerning the festival’s future,” Dresti said in a statement. “Together we will tackle relevant issues with the aim of providing invaluable industry insights.
- 2/19/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Veteran producer Ted Hope and former European Film Market head Beki Probst have been named as members of the Locarno Film Festival’s new industry advisor board.
They will be joined by Mubi Senior Vice President Bobby Allen, Locarno Industry Academy International Project Manager Marion Klotz; Emmanuel Cuénod, the former director of the Geneva International Film Festival (Giff) and the current head of the Swiss Digital Creation Hub, top Swiss exhibitor Edna Epelbaum, and Gerardo Michelin, the founder of the trade website LatAm cinema.
The new board’s mission will be advise the festival on how to keep in step with developments in the audiovisual sector and remain relevant to the film industry at large.
The new initiative was first announced last September when Maja Hoffmann was unveiled as the festival’s new president, replacing outgoing Marco Solari who held the role for 23 years.
As previously announced, long-time Locarno collaborator...
They will be joined by Mubi Senior Vice President Bobby Allen, Locarno Industry Academy International Project Manager Marion Klotz; Emmanuel Cuénod, the former director of the Geneva International Film Festival (Giff) and the current head of the Swiss Digital Creation Hub, top Swiss exhibitor Edna Epelbaum, and Gerardo Michelin, the founder of the trade website LatAm cinema.
The new board’s mission will be advise the festival on how to keep in step with developments in the audiovisual sector and remain relevant to the film industry at large.
The new initiative was first announced last September when Maja Hoffmann was unveiled as the festival’s new president, replacing outgoing Marco Solari who held the role for 23 years.
As previously announced, long-time Locarno collaborator...
- 2/19/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Luma Foundation founder replaces long-serving president Marco Solari.
Maja Hoffmann has been officially confirmed as president of the Locarno Film Festival, following a vote of the festival’s general assembly and its board of directors.
Hoffmann, the founder of the Luma Foundation, becomes the first female president of the Locarno Film Festival. Her name was put forward in July at the head of a shortlist of candidates to replace long-serving president Marco Solari, who steps down after 23 years in the role.
Hoffmann said: “I look forward to working with the entire team, led by Giona A. Nazzaro, artistic director, and Raphaël Brunschwig,...
Maja Hoffmann has been officially confirmed as president of the Locarno Film Festival, following a vote of the festival’s general assembly and its board of directors.
Hoffmann, the founder of the Luma Foundation, becomes the first female president of the Locarno Film Festival. Her name was put forward in July at the head of a shortlist of candidates to replace long-serving president Marco Solari, who steps down after 23 years in the role.
Hoffmann said: “I look forward to working with the entire team, led by Giona A. Nazzaro, artistic director, and Raphaël Brunschwig,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Maja Hoffmann has been officially confirmed as President of the Locarno Film Festival following a vote at an Extraordinary General Assembly on Wednesday.
She replaces long-time festival President Marco Solari who held the position for 23 years.
Hoffmann’s appointment was announced over the summer but was not made official until being put to the vote.
A descendant of legendary Swiss entrepreneur Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche, Hoffmann is known internationally as an art collector and philanthropist.
She is the founder of the Zurich-based Luma Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting contemporary artists, and is also involved in a raft of art institutions worldwide including the Swiss Institute New York, the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles, the Serpentine Galleries in London and the Kunsthalle Zürich.
Wednesday’s meeting also set in motion a revision of the festival’s governance structure and voted in first members of the board.
Key changes are the reduction in the size of the board,...
She replaces long-time festival President Marco Solari who held the position for 23 years.
Hoffmann’s appointment was announced over the summer but was not made official until being put to the vote.
A descendant of legendary Swiss entrepreneur Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche, Hoffmann is known internationally as an art collector and philanthropist.
She is the founder of the Zurich-based Luma Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting contemporary artists, and is also involved in a raft of art institutions worldwide including the Swiss Institute New York, the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles, the Serpentine Galleries in London and the Kunsthalle Zürich.
Wednesday’s meeting also set in motion a revision of the festival’s governance structure and voted in first members of the board.
Key changes are the reduction in the size of the board,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Resignations come shortly after 21st edition wrapped.
The programme director and three board members of Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (Fifdh) have all resigned from the festival.
The resignations of programme director Irène Challand and board members Nadia Dresti, Ursula Meier and Stina Werenfels follow a closed meeting of the festival board on March 23.
In a statement, Fifdh said the meeting was called “to discuss the tensions that have arisen in recent months within the Fifdh”.
The statement continued: “Considering that the mission entrusted last year by the Board to the Programme Director to develop the...
The programme director and three board members of Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (Fifdh) have all resigned from the festival.
The resignations of programme director Irène Challand and board members Nadia Dresti, Ursula Meier and Stina Werenfels follow a closed meeting of the festival board on March 23.
In a statement, Fifdh said the meeting was called “to discuss the tensions that have arisen in recent months within the Fifdh”.
The statement continued: “Considering that the mission entrusted last year by the Board to the Programme Director to develop the...
- 3/27/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
In its first full-on post-pandemic edition, Locarno roared back into action as an industry hub over Aug. 3-9, smashing attendance records with delegates at industry arm Locarno Pro soaring from 2019’s prior record of 1,040 to 1,300.
That reflects the year-round work of festival artistic director Giona Nazzaro and industry head Markus Duffner at Locarno Pro, building on foundations laid by Nadia Dresti over 2010-19. Sky rocketing attendance also says much about the state of the international film industry as it is is rocked by titanic sea change propelled by global, regional and local streaming platforms. Following, 10 takes on Locarno as its turns its final bend towards Aug. 13’s awards announcement.
Latest Deals
A score or more of new deals announced since Sunday in exclusivity to Variety:
*Germany’s Pluto Film has been in negotiations with several theatrical distributors on Locarno Piazza Grande title “Semret,” ahead of its world premiere on Aug.
That reflects the year-round work of festival artistic director Giona Nazzaro and industry head Markus Duffner at Locarno Pro, building on foundations laid by Nadia Dresti over 2010-19. Sky rocketing attendance also says much about the state of the international film industry as it is is rocked by titanic sea change propelled by global, regional and local streaming platforms. Following, 10 takes on Locarno as its turns its final bend towards Aug. 13’s awards announcement.
Latest Deals
A score or more of new deals announced since Sunday in exclusivity to Variety:
*Germany’s Pluto Film has been in negotiations with several theatrical distributors on Locarno Piazza Grande title “Semret,” ahead of its world premiere on Aug.
- 8/10/2022
- by John Hopewell, Marta Balaga and Pablo Sandoval
- Variety Film + TV
A round up of stories from Locarno Film Festival.
As the first week of the Locarno Film Festival (August 3-13) comes to an end, here is the latest from the industry side of the event in Switzerland.
Six projects at Locarno Pitching Day
Feature films from Italy, Austria and Switzerland were among the projects pitched at the Ticino Film Commission’s Locarno Pitching Day held yesterday (August 8).
Staged in collaboration with Locarno Pro, the event was aimed at film industry professionals seeking co-production partners, distribution and financing for projects that are in development and could be further developed in the Swiss region.
As the first week of the Locarno Film Festival (August 3-13) comes to an end, here is the latest from the industry side of the event in Switzerland.
Six projects at Locarno Pitching Day
Feature films from Italy, Austria and Switzerland were among the projects pitched at the Ticino Film Commission’s Locarno Pitching Day held yesterday (August 8).
Staged in collaboration with Locarno Pro, the event was aimed at film industry professionals seeking co-production partners, distribution and financing for projects that are in development and could be further developed in the Swiss region.
- 8/9/2022
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
10 Swiss film festivals with international standing are joining forces on a symbolically significant screening series to be held in Locarno’s PalaCinema multipurpose venue which is also known as the Swiss lakeside town’s house of cinema.
The innovative initiative – which is being launched with a press conference on Saturday at the Locarno Film Festival – is the brainchild of Nadia Dresti, the Locarno fest’s grand dame, who recently joined the PalaCinema board.
The PalaCinema (pictured) houses the Locarno film festival offices, its film academy, the Cisa film school, the Ticino Film Commission, Swiss pubcaster Rsi, as well as several commercial cinemas and other screening venues.
“On the 75th anniversary of the Locarno festival we want to pay homage to all Swiss international film festivals, inviting their artistic directors to each talk about their vision for their respective festivals, and also to chose a film that represents this vision,” Dresti told Variety.
The innovative initiative – which is being launched with a press conference on Saturday at the Locarno Film Festival – is the brainchild of Nadia Dresti, the Locarno fest’s grand dame, who recently joined the PalaCinema board.
The PalaCinema (pictured) houses the Locarno film festival offices, its film academy, the Cisa film school, the Ticino Film Commission, Swiss pubcaster Rsi, as well as several commercial cinemas and other screening venues.
“On the 75th anniversary of the Locarno festival we want to pay homage to all Swiss international film festivals, inviting their artistic directors to each talk about their vision for their respective festivals, and also to chose a film that represents this vision,” Dresti told Variety.
- 8/6/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Locarno Film Festival, long known as a safe haven for indie cinema, is taking a turn into genre territory while remaining true to
its origins.
“People know what the mission is for Locarno,” says the fest’s new artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro, referring to the prestige of the event — the 74th edition runs Aug. 4-14 — that is known worldwide as a festival of discovery.
But Nazzaro, an Italian film critic and former chief of the Venice Critics’ Week, now intends “to broaden the moral imagination of this mission,” as he puts it, by digging deeper into genre cinema, and “also into the [festival’s] relationship with the U.S. studios and what people would consider as [pure] entertainment.”
Significantly, this year’s Locarno opener is Netflix Original “Beckett,” a thriller toplining John David Washington as an American tourist who becomes the target of a political assassination while vacationing in Greece, and...
its origins.
“People know what the mission is for Locarno,” says the fest’s new artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro, referring to the prestige of the event — the 74th edition runs Aug. 4-14 — that is known worldwide as a festival of discovery.
But Nazzaro, an Italian film critic and former chief of the Venice Critics’ Week, now intends “to broaden the moral imagination of this mission,” as he puts it, by digging deeper into genre cinema, and “also into the [festival’s] relationship with the U.S. studios and what people would consider as [pure] entertainment.”
Significantly, this year’s Locarno opener is Netflix Original “Beckett,” a thriller toplining John David Washington as an American tourist who becomes the target of a political assassination while vacationing in Greece, and...
- 8/3/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Since being appointed head of the Locarno Film Festival’s Locarno Pro industry program last December, Markus Duffner has been working to pull off what will be a mostly in-person edition of the Swiss fest’s formidable space for international indie industry operators, just as the fest is increasingly embracing streamers. Netflix Original film “Beckett,” by Italian director Ferdinando Cito Filomarino, is the Aug. 4-14 event’s opener this year. Duffner, who had been with Locarno Pro since 2014, prior to taking the reins, last year launched Locarno Pro’s Heritage Online, a first-of-its-kind platform that serves as a database and business facilitator with streaming platforms of films that premiered prior to 2005. He is also founder of VOD platform Spamflix dedicated to cult films. Duffner spoke to Variety about embracing streamers and this year’s challenges. Excerpts.
How is Locarno Pro changing?
Nadia Dresti [Duffner’s predecessor, still on board as a consultant] over the years set up a great...
How is Locarno Pro changing?
Nadia Dresti [Duffner’s predecessor, still on board as a consultant] over the years set up a great...
- 7/12/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Locarno Film Festival has named Markus Duffner as the new head of its industry program Locarno Pro. He will be joined by Sophie Bourdon as deputy head.
Nadia Dresti, the long-time overseer of Locarno Pro and recently interim director of the festival after the abrupt departure of Lili Hinstin in September, will continue to work with the fest as International Advisor. In November, Locarno named Giona A. Nazzaro as its new artistic director.
Duffner has been a regular collaborator with Locarno over the years, and has also worked with the Monte-Carlo Film Festival de la Comédie and the Voices Festival in Vologda, Russia. He is a founder member of VOD service Spamflix and is project manager of the platform Heritage Online, devoted to digital distribution of classic and auteur movies.
The 74th edition of Locarno Film Festival will run August 4-14, with Locarno Pro running August 5-10.
Nadia Dresti, the long-time overseer of Locarno Pro and recently interim director of the festival after the abrupt departure of Lili Hinstin in September, will continue to work with the fest as International Advisor. In November, Locarno named Giona A. Nazzaro as its new artistic director.
Duffner has been a regular collaborator with Locarno over the years, and has also worked with the Monte-Carlo Film Festival de la Comédie and the Voices Festival in Vologda, Russia. He is a founder member of VOD service Spamflix and is project manager of the platform Heritage Online, devoted to digital distribution of classic and auteur movies.
The 74th edition of Locarno Film Festival will run August 4-14, with Locarno Pro running August 5-10.
- 12/21/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
2021 edition of Locarno Pro is scheduled to run August 5-10.
The Locarno Film industry has named long-time collaborator Markus Duffner as the new head of its industry programme Locarno Pro, with effect from January 2021.
He replaces Paris-based producer Valentina Merli who held the position for one year but has left to return to producing.
Duffner will be supported by Sophie Bourdon, who takes on the position of deputy head of Locarno Pro alongside her long-time role as head of Open Doors, the festival’s programme aimed at nurturing cinema from the global south and east.
Nadia Dresti, who initially spearheaded...
The Locarno Film industry has named long-time collaborator Markus Duffner as the new head of its industry programme Locarno Pro, with effect from January 2021.
He replaces Paris-based producer Valentina Merli who held the position for one year but has left to return to producing.
Duffner will be supported by Sophie Bourdon, who takes on the position of deputy head of Locarno Pro alongside her long-time role as head of Open Doors, the festival’s programme aimed at nurturing cinema from the global south and east.
Nadia Dresti, who initially spearheaded...
- 12/21/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
The Locarno Film Festival has appointed longtime collaborator Markus Duffner as the head of its Locarno Pro industry program.
Duffner, who will take the Locarno Pro helm in January, is replacing Paris-based sales exec Valentina Merli, who after being appointed to the post roughly a year ago quietly stepped down following this year’s virtual edition in August.
As head of Locarno Pro, Duffner will work closely with Sophie Bourdon, Locarno Pro deputy chief who also heads its Open Doors co-production forum, dedicated to nurturing cinema in areas where filmmaking is especially tough.
Nadia Dresti, who has been with Locarno intermittently for roughly 30 years — and built its market side into a unique and formidable space for international quality cinema industry operators — will continue in her role as its international advisor. Dresti in January of this year stepped down as Locarno Pro chief and, at that time, handed the reins over to Merli,...
Duffner, who will take the Locarno Pro helm in January, is replacing Paris-based sales exec Valentina Merli, who after being appointed to the post roughly a year ago quietly stepped down following this year’s virtual edition in August.
As head of Locarno Pro, Duffner will work closely with Sophie Bourdon, Locarno Pro deputy chief who also heads its Open Doors co-production forum, dedicated to nurturing cinema in areas where filmmaking is especially tough.
Nadia Dresti, who has been with Locarno intermittently for roughly 30 years — and built its market side into a unique and formidable space for international quality cinema industry operators — will continue in her role as its international advisor. Dresti in January of this year stepped down as Locarno Pro chief and, at that time, handed the reins over to Merli,...
- 12/21/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Italian film critic Giona A. Nazzaro, former head of the Venice Film Festival’s Critics’ Week, has been appointed new artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival.
His appointment comes just over a month after Lili Hinstin stepped down from the role in a shock departure.
A longtime Locarno fest collaborator, Nazzaro has plenty of programming experience, having served since 2005 at the helm of the independently run Venice section and on selection committees for the Rome, Turin and Visions du Reel festivals, as well as the Festival dei Popoli in Florence. He is an author of a book and essays on Hong Kong cinema, postmodern action films, and monographs on Abel Ferrara, Spike Lee and Gus Van Sant.
As head of the Venice Critic’s Week, Nazzaro raised the profile of the section dedicated to first works by making it bolder and edgier, with titles such as Indian animation “Bombay Rose” directed by Gitanjali Rao,...
His appointment comes just over a month after Lili Hinstin stepped down from the role in a shock departure.
A longtime Locarno fest collaborator, Nazzaro has plenty of programming experience, having served since 2005 at the helm of the independently run Venice section and on selection committees for the Rome, Turin and Visions du Reel festivals, as well as the Festival dei Popoli in Florence. He is an author of a book and essays on Hong Kong cinema, postmodern action films, and monographs on Abel Ferrara, Spike Lee and Gus Van Sant.
As head of the Venice Critic’s Week, Nazzaro raised the profile of the section dedicated to first works by making it bolder and edgier, with titles such as Indian animation “Bombay Rose” directed by Gitanjali Rao,...
- 11/5/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
His appointment follows the sudden departure of previous artistic director Lili Hinstin in September.
Giona A. Nazzaro has been named as Locarno Film Festival’s new artistic director.
He will take up his post officially from January 1, 2021, but will start working immediately alongside Nadia Dresti, who was appointed as the interim head of artistic direction in September and will remain in place until the end of December 2020.
Dresti will also continue to oversee the festival’s industry-focused Locarno Pro programme while the festival looks for a replacement for Valentina Merli, who left after just one edition at the helm to...
Giona A. Nazzaro has been named as Locarno Film Festival’s new artistic director.
He will take up his post officially from January 1, 2021, but will start working immediately alongside Nadia Dresti, who was appointed as the interim head of artistic direction in September and will remain in place until the end of December 2020.
Dresti will also continue to oversee the festival’s industry-focused Locarno Pro programme while the festival looks for a replacement for Valentina Merli, who left after just one edition at the helm to...
- 11/5/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival, one of the key events on the European summer fest circuit, has named Italian film critic Giona A. Nazzaro as its new artistic director.
Nazzaro joins from Venice Critics’ Week, where he has served as General Delegate since 2016; he will take up his new role on January 1, 2021 but will work with interim director Nadia Dresti until then. He is a member of the selection committees for Rotterdam and Visions du Réel Festival in Nyon and has worked as a moderator at Locarno. During his career, he has also collaborated with Italy’s Turin Film Festival, the Rome Film Fest and the Festival dei Popoli in Florence.
Nazzaro replaces Lili Hinstin, who stepped down in September after less than two years in a row in something of a shock move. At the time, the fest cited “diverging strategic views” for the split. Dresti, who had spent...
Nazzaro joins from Venice Critics’ Week, where he has served as General Delegate since 2016; he will take up his new role on January 1, 2021 but will work with interim director Nadia Dresti until then. He is a member of the selection committees for Rotterdam and Visions du Réel Festival in Nyon and has worked as a moderator at Locarno. During his career, he has also collaborated with Italy’s Turin Film Festival, the Rome Film Fest and the Festival dei Popoli in Florence.
Nazzaro replaces Lili Hinstin, who stepped down in September after less than two years in a row in something of a shock move. At the time, the fest cited “diverging strategic views” for the split. Dresti, who had spent...
- 11/5/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
The Locarno Film Festival has appointed Nadia Dresti as interim artistic director following the recent resignation of Lili Hinstin.
Dresti, who has been with the prominent Swiss fest dedicated to indie cinema intermittently for roughly 30 years, is taking the reins after the abrupt departure of Hinstin late last month after two years due to differences with the event’s top management.
Dresti started out in the fest’s press office, and in 2000 was entrusted by its then artistic chief Marco Mueller with launching Locarno’s industry side, which she built into a formidable multi-pronged machine now known as Locarno Pro. She also served as Locarno’s deputy artistic director for two years starting in 2017 during the mandate as artistic director of Carlo Chatrian, who was Hinstin’s predecessor. Chatrian is now artistic director of the Berlinale.
In 2018, Dresti was appointed director of the Ticino Film Commission, and subsequently in early...
Dresti, who has been with the prominent Swiss fest dedicated to indie cinema intermittently for roughly 30 years, is taking the reins after the abrupt departure of Hinstin late last month after two years due to differences with the event’s top management.
Dresti started out in the fest’s press office, and in 2000 was entrusted by its then artistic chief Marco Mueller with launching Locarno’s industry side, which she built into a formidable multi-pronged machine now known as Locarno Pro. She also served as Locarno’s deputy artistic director for two years starting in 2017 during the mandate as artistic director of Carlo Chatrian, who was Hinstin’s predecessor. Chatrian is now artistic director of the Berlinale.
In 2018, Dresti was appointed director of the Ticino Film Commission, and subsequently in early...
- 10/5/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Appointment follows the sudden departure of artistic director Lili Hinstin in September.
The Locarno Film Festival’s long-time industry chief Nadia Dresti has been appointed “interim head of its artistic direction”.
The appointment follows the unexpected departure of its previous artistic director Lili Hinstin at the end of September, amid rumoured differences with the festival’s long-time president Marco Solari.
The festival said that the executive board had taken the decision to appoint Dresti as interim artistic chief during a recent meeting to discuss potential permanent replacements for Hinstin.
”The executive board of the Locarno Film Festival, under president Marco Solari,...
The Locarno Film Festival’s long-time industry chief Nadia Dresti has been appointed “interim head of its artistic direction”.
The appointment follows the unexpected departure of its previous artistic director Lili Hinstin at the end of September, amid rumoured differences with the festival’s long-time president Marco Solari.
The festival said that the executive board had taken the decision to appoint Dresti as interim artistic chief during a recent meeting to discuss potential permanent replacements for Hinstin.
”The executive board of the Locarno Film Festival, under president Marco Solari,...
- 10/5/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Lili Hinstin has stepped down as artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival after two years due to differences with the event’s top management.
The Paris-based Hinstin had been appointed in August 2018 becoming the prominent Swiss event’s second female chief since its founding in 1946 and one of the few women to head an A-list fest around the world.
“The Locarno Film Festival, under the Presidency of Marco Solari, and the Artistic Director Lili Hinstin decided today by mutual agreement to end their working relationship,” the festival said on Thursday in a statement.
“Having acknowledged their diverging strategic views,” the statement added, they “decided by mutual consent to follow separate ways.”
The Locarno statement noted that the fest expressed “its gratitude” to Hinstin “for her intense work in the artistic field over the past two years and wishes her all the best for the future.”
Locarno’s board, which is headed by Solari,...
The Paris-based Hinstin had been appointed in August 2018 becoming the prominent Swiss event’s second female chief since its founding in 1946 and one of the few women to head an A-list fest around the world.
“The Locarno Film Festival, under the Presidency of Marco Solari, and the Artistic Director Lili Hinstin decided today by mutual agreement to end their working relationship,” the festival said on Thursday in a statement.
“Having acknowledged their diverging strategic views,” the statement added, they “decided by mutual consent to follow separate ways.”
The Locarno statement noted that the fest expressed “its gratitude” to Hinstin “for her intense work in the artistic field over the past two years and wishes her all the best for the future.”
Locarno’s board, which is headed by Solari,...
- 9/24/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Locarno Film Festival’s Locarno Pro industry side is trying to rise to the challenge faced by many festivals that have been forced to cancel their physical editions.
“The one thing I wanted to avoid was doing something just for the sake of doing something,” says Valentina Merli, who became head of Locarno Pro in January.
Not long after her appointment Merli found herself navigating the coronavirus crisis and did her best to figure out how to temporarily reconfigure the formidable informal indie industry space built by her predecessor Nadia Dresti — who remains on board as a consultant — for an edition that’s been cancelled as a physical gathering, but is going forward as a digital event.
Related Content Locarno Film Festival Puts on Digital Showcase
Given the humanist philosophy behind Locarno Pro, which is almost like a Swiss summer camp and the antithesis of the frenzied Cannes Marché du Film,...
“The one thing I wanted to avoid was doing something just for the sake of doing something,” says Valentina Merli, who became head of Locarno Pro in January.
Not long after her appointment Merli found herself navigating the coronavirus crisis and did her best to figure out how to temporarily reconfigure the formidable informal indie industry space built by her predecessor Nadia Dresti — who remains on board as a consultant — for an edition that’s been cancelled as a physical gathering, but is going forward as a digital event.
Related Content Locarno Film Festival Puts on Digital Showcase
Given the humanist philosophy behind Locarno Pro, which is almost like a Swiss summer camp and the antithesis of the frenzied Cannes Marché du Film,...
- 8/3/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Brücher piloted international promotions at Swiss Films and was a well-known figure on the festival and market circuit.
The Swiss and European film industry has paid tribute to film sales and marketing pioneer and veteran Francine Brücher, who died at the age of 77 in Munich after a long illness on May 6.
With her calm manner and sympathetic smile, Brücher was a well-known and much-liked figure on the festival and market circuit. She was best known in the latter part of her career for her work at Switzerland’s national cinema promotional body Swiss Films.
During her time at the agency...
The Swiss and European film industry has paid tribute to film sales and marketing pioneer and veteran Francine Brücher, who died at the age of 77 in Munich after a long illness on May 6.
With her calm manner and sympathetic smile, Brücher was a well-known and much-liked figure on the festival and market circuit. She was best known in the latter part of her career for her work at Switzerland’s national cinema promotional body Swiss Films.
During her time at the agency...
- 5/13/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Carlo Chatrian’s rapid rise to becoming Berlin’s artistic director stems from the steely resolve of a soft-spoken film lover with smarts and a clear sense of what he considers meaningful in contemporary cinema today.
The Italian film critic and curator previously served a five-year stint as artistic director of Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival. He is considered a bold choice on the part of German culture minister Monika Gruetters, who led the search team for a new Berlinale topper after
longtime director Dieter Kosslick exited last year. Chatrian is tasked with rebooting the Berlinale’s lineup, which Kosslick critics said was too large and favored quantity over quality.
Chatrian says that in his job interview with the culture minister and the selection committee, he “told them what cinema means for me and what I think festivals are.” His vision for Berlin and also what he achieved at Locarno motivated their choice,...
The Italian film critic and curator previously served a five-year stint as artistic director of Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival. He is considered a bold choice on the part of German culture minister Monika Gruetters, who led the search team for a new Berlinale topper after
longtime director Dieter Kosslick exited last year. Chatrian is tasked with rebooting the Berlinale’s lineup, which Kosslick critics said was too large and favored quantity over quality.
Chatrian says that in his job interview with the culture minister and the selection committee, he “told them what cinema means for me and what I think festivals are.” His vision for Berlin and also what he achieved at Locarno motivated their choice,...
- 2/17/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Dresti, who originally founded Locarno Film Festival’s industry section and also served as deputy artistic director, will remain with the festival as international advisor. After a lengthy career and a close relationship with the Locarno Film Festival, spanning more than 20 years, Nadia Dresti, the creator, manager and head of the festival’s industry section, Locarno Pro, is stepping down and will hand over management duties to Valentina Merli. Dresti, who has also served as Locarno’s deputy artistic director, is remaining on the new team as international advisor. Bologna-born Merli, who has an important task ahead of her after the huge success that Locarno Pro has enjoyed in recent years, previously worked in production, international sales and film distribution companies both in France and in Italy. Two years ago, she co-founded the independent production company Misia Films in Paris and, according to early reports, she will continue to be actively engaged.
Paris-based Merli has worked with Gemini FIlms and Pyramide.
Industry veteran Nadia Dresti has stepped down as head of Locarno Pro, the Swiss festival’s industry section, after 20 years at the helm.
She is to be replaced by Valentina Merli, founder of Paris-based Misia Films.
Dresti, who is remaining with Locarno as an international advisor, will accompany Merli to Berlin and Cannes this year to help the preparations for this year’s edition of Locarno which takes place August 5-15.
“Over the 20 years of my tenure, Nadia has been a priceless asset for the festival because of her remarkable skills,...
Industry veteran Nadia Dresti has stepped down as head of Locarno Pro, the Swiss festival’s industry section, after 20 years at the helm.
She is to be replaced by Valentina Merli, founder of Paris-based Misia Films.
Dresti, who is remaining with Locarno as an international advisor, will accompany Merli to Berlin and Cannes this year to help the preparations for this year’s edition of Locarno which takes place August 5-15.
“Over the 20 years of my tenure, Nadia has been a priceless asset for the festival because of her remarkable skills,...
- 1/13/2020
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
The Locarno Film Festival has announced that Nadia Dresti is stepping down as head of the prominent Swiss indie cinema event’s market side which she built over two decades into a unique and formidable space for international quality cinema industry operators.
Dresti praised in a statement as Locarno’s “Grand Dame,” is staying on board at the fest as “international consultant.”
The new head of Locarno Pro is experienced Paris-based indie exec Valentina Merli best known on the festival circuit for her years as head of sales and business affairs at French arthouse distributor Pyramide International which she left in 2018 to form her own production company, Misia Films.
Dresti has been with Locarno intermittently for roughly 30 years, starting out in the press office – with an interlude for a few years as head of marketing for Fox Switzerland. In 2,000 she was entrusted in by its then artistic chief Marco Mueller...
Dresti praised in a statement as Locarno’s “Grand Dame,” is staying on board at the fest as “international consultant.”
The new head of Locarno Pro is experienced Paris-based indie exec Valentina Merli best known on the festival circuit for her years as head of sales and business affairs at French arthouse distributor Pyramide International which she left in 2018 to form her own production company, Misia Films.
Dresti has been with Locarno intermittently for roughly 30 years, starting out in the press office – with an interlude for a few years as head of marketing for Fox Switzerland. In 2,000 she was entrusted in by its then artistic chief Marco Mueller...
- 1/13/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Project managers of each section of Locarno Pro, the industry side of the Locarno Film Festival, gave us their verdict on the 2019 edition. During Locarno Pro (8-13 August), Cineuropa had a chance to follow all of the upcoming important events related to the industry section of the Locarno Film Festival (7-17 August). We caught up with the head of Locarno Pro, Nadia Dresti, and all of the project managers of each section to put together a quick overview of this year’s edition. Starting with Nadia Dresti, she stated: “More than 1,000 professionals attended Locarno Pro this year, confirming yet again that these days remain an easy and informal network hub, merging high-profile executives with junior professionals. Locarno Pro is composed of different projects that were thought, developed and managed together with five professionals who managed to compose an organic workflow, with the final purpose being to endorse independent cinema.”...
24 young cinema industry professionals under the age of 30 will attend new think tank event.
The Locarno Film Festival’s industry office Locarno Pro has unveiled a new initiative, bannered U30, aimed at fostering exchange between film professionals under the age of 30 around key issues facing the cinema industry and strategies for the future.
The inaugural edition, running August 9-11, at the same time as other Locarno Pro events, will explore the theme of “The Audience of The Future”.
Discussions will take place across four sessions tackling the theatrical experience, the relationship between theatrical distribution and the platforms, connecting with audiences...
The Locarno Film Festival’s industry office Locarno Pro has unveiled a new initiative, bannered U30, aimed at fostering exchange between film professionals under the age of 30 around key issues facing the cinema industry and strategies for the future.
The inaugural edition, running August 9-11, at the same time as other Locarno Pro events, will explore the theme of “The Audience of The Future”.
Discussions will take place across four sessions tackling the theatrical experience, the relationship between theatrical distribution and the platforms, connecting with audiences...
- 6/27/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
24 young cinema industry professionals under the age of 30 will attend new think tank event.
The Locarno Film Festival’s industry office Locarno Pro has unveiled a new initiative, bannered U30, aimed at fostering exchange between film professionals under the age of 30 around key issues facing the cinema industry and strategies for the future.
The inaugural edition, running August 9-11, at the same time as other Locarno Pro events, will explore the theme of “The Audience of The Future”.
Discussions will take place across four sessions tackling the theatrical experience, the relationship between theatrical distribution and the platforms, connecting with audiences...
The Locarno Film Festival’s industry office Locarno Pro has unveiled a new initiative, bannered U30, aimed at fostering exchange between film professionals under the age of 30 around key issues facing the cinema industry and strategies for the future.
The inaugural edition, running August 9-11, at the same time as other Locarno Pro events, will explore the theme of “The Audience of The Future”.
Discussions will take place across four sessions tackling the theatrical experience, the relationship between theatrical distribution and the platforms, connecting with audiences...
- 6/27/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Panama City — “The main problem is how to reach audiences beyond festivals,” says the Locarno Festival’s Nadia Dresti.
The Locarno Industry Academy, which now boasts a network of events outside the Swiss city, aims to help a budding new generation of distribution, sales, exhibition and programming execs to develop answers.
Iff Panama and Locarno have just concluded the Academy’s first edition in Central America.
Reaching audiences is ever harder. “Box office for festival films is going down. One or two big films manage to reach theaters. But most don’t,” said Dresti, who founded the Academy in 2014.
“Festivals used to be a launch pad to the theatrical market, but now sales agents often make their revenues from screening fees at festivals and stop there. We want to develop innovative strategies to change this situation.”
One of the problems is that younger people no longer watch arthouse films in...
The Locarno Industry Academy, which now boasts a network of events outside the Swiss city, aims to help a budding new generation of distribution, sales, exhibition and programming execs to develop answers.
Iff Panama and Locarno have just concluded the Academy’s first edition in Central America.
Reaching audiences is ever harder. “Box office for festival films is going down. One or two big films manage to reach theaters. But most don’t,” said Dresti, who founded the Academy in 2014.
“Festivals used to be a launch pad to the theatrical market, but now sales agents often make their revenues from screening fees at festivals and stop there. We want to develop innovative strategies to change this situation.”
One of the problems is that younger people no longer watch arthouse films in...
- 4/11/2019
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Panama City — The 8th Iff Panama has further reinforced its industry dimension, with a record number of submissions to the Primera Mirada pix-in-post sidebar and more sales agents and festival programmers attending the event, which this year includes the Locarno Industry Academy and a new Fipresci Award for the 12-pic Stories from Central America and the Caribbean competition.
2019 boasts a record number of guests and, according to the organizers, advance ticket sales are higher than ever.
23 films were submitted to Primera Mirada, covering different genres from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Panama.
“The selection is powerful and has strong voices,” says Karla Quintero, co-ordinator of Iff Panama’s Industry and Educational Programs. “The films have a consolidated discourse and pay testimony to incredibly sensitive filmmakers in whose films the region’s identity definitely shines through.
She added: “These are exactly the voices this award is meant to amplify and empower.
2019 boasts a record number of guests and, according to the organizers, advance ticket sales are higher than ever.
23 films were submitted to Primera Mirada, covering different genres from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Panama.
“The selection is powerful and has strong voices,” says Karla Quintero, co-ordinator of Iff Panama’s Industry and Educational Programs. “The films have a consolidated discourse and pay testimony to incredibly sensitive filmmakers in whose films the region’s identity definitely shines through.
She added: “These are exactly the voices this award is meant to amplify and empower.
- 4/5/2019
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Hinstin had been artistic director of the Entrevues Belfort - Festival International du Film in France.
Lili Hinstin has been appointed as Locarno’s new artistic director to succeed Carlo Chatrian, who had worked for the festival for the past 15 years, including the last six as artistic director.
The appointment was confirmed at a meeting of the festival’s Board of Governors in Locarno today.
Paris-born Hinstin, who has been artistic director of the Entrevues Belfort - Festival International du Film in France, will take up her position from December 1, 2018.
The 41-year old is the second woman in the history...
Lili Hinstin has been appointed as Locarno’s new artistic director to succeed Carlo Chatrian, who had worked for the festival for the past 15 years, including the last six as artistic director.
The appointment was confirmed at a meeting of the festival’s Board of Governors in Locarno today.
Paris-born Hinstin, who has been artistic director of the Entrevues Belfort - Festival International du Film in France, will take up her position from December 1, 2018.
The 41-year old is the second woman in the history...
- 8/24/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
‘The Women’ by Myanmar’s The Maw Naing wins the top prize of €30,300.
Filmmakers from Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal were among the winners of this year’s edition of the Locarno Festival’s Open Doors project showcase.
Myanmar-based poet, artist and filmmaker The Maw Naing won the Open Doors production grant of €30,300 for his second narrative feature film project The Women.
The drama about four women from remote villages who travel to the city in search of work is being produced by the Berlin-based Yangon Film School and the director’s own production company One Point Zero. The...
Filmmakers from Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal were among the winners of this year’s edition of the Locarno Festival’s Open Doors project showcase.
Myanmar-based poet, artist and filmmaker The Maw Naing won the Open Doors production grant of €30,300 for his second narrative feature film project The Women.
The drama about four women from remote villages who travel to the city in search of work is being produced by the Berlin-based Yangon Film School and the director’s own production company One Point Zero. The...
- 8/7/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Dresti will split her time with her role running Locarno Pro.
Nadia Dresti is stepping down from the post of deputy artistic director of the Locarno Festival, to head up the Ticino Film Commission (Tfc) from October. She will remain in her position as head of Locarno Pro.
She has come to an agreement with festival president Marco Solari to divide her time equally between running the film commission and continuing as head of the festival’s industry activities gathered under the Locarno Pro umbrella. Locarno is part of the Ticino region of Italian-speaking Switzerland.
Tfc has strong ties to...
Nadia Dresti is stepping down from the post of deputy artistic director of the Locarno Festival, to head up the Ticino Film Commission (Tfc) from October. She will remain in her position as head of Locarno Pro.
She has come to an agreement with festival president Marco Solari to divide her time equally between running the film commission and continuing as head of the festival’s industry activities gathered under the Locarno Pro umbrella. Locarno is part of the Ticino region of Italian-speaking Switzerland.
Tfc has strong ties to...
- 8/6/2018
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Locarno, Switzerland – The Locarno Festival’s Industry Academy have a predominance of women participants at its 2018 edition. Eight out of a total of ten executive students are women. According to the program’s organization, this preeminence reflects submissions statistics. Around 80% of applicants were young women executives.
2018’s edition will be the fourth, after a pilot program kicked off in 2014 under Nadia Dresti, head of Locarno’s Industry Days.
Last year, the program expanded notably in reach with new events at the Beirut Cinema Platform co-production market organized by Beirut DC and Fondation Liban Cinema, the São Paulo’s Mostra, organized in partnership with Cinema do Brazil; and the Valdivia Festival’s Australab in Chile. These events added to those already existing in Mexico’s Morelia and Greece’s Thessaloniki festivals, as well as New York’s Lincoln Center New Directors/New Films Festival.
The Locarno Industry Academy runs Aug. 1-...
2018’s edition will be the fourth, after a pilot program kicked off in 2014 under Nadia Dresti, head of Locarno’s Industry Days.
Last year, the program expanded notably in reach with new events at the Beirut Cinema Platform co-production market organized by Beirut DC and Fondation Liban Cinema, the São Paulo’s Mostra, organized in partnership with Cinema do Brazil; and the Valdivia Festival’s Australab in Chile. These events added to those already existing in Mexico’s Morelia and Greece’s Thessaloniki festivals, as well as New York’s Lincoln Center New Directors/New Films Festival.
The Locarno Industry Academy runs Aug. 1-...
- 8/3/2018
- by Emilio Mayorga
- Variety Film + TV
Locarno — The 71st Locarno Festival kicks off today, Wednesday Aug. 1, its Industry Days on Aug. 3. It commands the biggest industry attendance of any mid-summer film event in Europe. Following are ten industry takes on this edition.
1.Locarno: The Paradox
Locarno frames an industry paradox. ”Sales agents never retire. They just print up new business cards.” Or so the saying goes.
A lot may now also be changing their job descriptions. For the 2018 Locarno Festival frames a paradox: 87% of first-run titles playing the Piazza Grande, a venue for crowd-pleasers, have sales agents. That may be par for the course. But as many as 73% of the far more auteurist, sometimes out-there competition, also have agents on board coming into Locarno, which “could be something of a record,” said Nadia Dresti, Locarno artistic director and head of Locarno Pro, its industry division.
Yet, in many territories in the world, theatrical arthouse audiences are...
1.Locarno: The Paradox
Locarno frames an industry paradox. ”Sales agents never retire. They just print up new business cards.” Or so the saying goes.
A lot may now also be changing their job descriptions. For the 2018 Locarno Festival frames a paradox: 87% of first-run titles playing the Piazza Grande, a venue for crowd-pleasers, have sales agents. That may be par for the course. But as many as 73% of the far more auteurist, sometimes out-there competition, also have agents on board coming into Locarno, which “could be something of a record,” said Nadia Dresti, Locarno artistic director and head of Locarno Pro, its industry division.
Yet, in many territories in the world, theatrical arthouse audiences are...
- 8/1/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
LOCARNO, Switzerland -- Approaching its halfway mark, the crop of films at the 58th Locarno International Film Festival have failed to impress festgoers so far, but a record number of buyers on hand have provided a smattering of deals. With its early August calendar slot just prior to the Venice Film Festival, Locarno has never fostered a thriving market, but its trademark emphasis on multicultural global niche films have provided a platform for smaller distributors and sales agents looking to fill out their slates. According to Nadia Dresti, who runs the festival's industry office, a record 130 buyers are on hand this year, an increase of nearly 30% from last year, including first-time representatives from Sony Pictures Classics and the Sundance Channel.
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