Giona A. Nazzaro will continue as artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival for another three years, the festival confirmed today.
Nazzaro took over the role in early 2021 and has overseen four editions so far. The festival said he would stay at the post office until he was 80 years old.th Anniversary edition for 2027.
The news was confirmed following today’s Annual General Meeting (April 15), chaired by President Maja Hoffman.
Nazaro said: “I would like to thank President Maja Hoffman and the entire board of directors of the Locarno Film Festival, and for the trust and respect I have placed on me and the team. I have the privilege of leads. To pursue these first five years of work together. Anniversary.”
The General Assembly also confirmed the fiscal 2024 festival and forecast the 2025 budget.
The 2024 edition of the festival said it saw viewers increase from 3.5% to 152,000, increased funding from individual partners, daily pass sales increased by 20%, and certified purchases increased by 15%.
The festival’s 2025 budget forecasts revenue of $17.1 million ($20 million, £15.7 million), down from 2024 revenue of 18.2 million ($222 million, £16.8 million).
At the end of 2024, the festival had a deficit of CHF 93,300 ($114,000, £86,000) against its current reserve of CHF 691,000 ($842,000, £637,000). The festival said this shows improvement compared to the CHF 485,000 ($591,000, £447,000) deficit recorded at the end of 2023.
Hoffman said: “The efforts of all board members and teams over the past year have allowed us to implement changes, achieve our goals and ensure a stronger and more robust financial future for the festival. These key steps can strengthen the festival’s position, optimize the organization, and improve our key priorities supporting the work of the filmmakers and the film ecosystem.”
The 78th Locarno Film Festival will be held from August 6th to 16th.
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