A permanent ecosystem around the Locarno Film Festival

An inquiry signed by thirteen municipal councillors asks the Locarno Municipal Council to strengthen the role of the Locarno Film Festival beyond the festival period. The first signatories are Vanessa Singy, from the PLR, and independent councillor Filippo Beltrametti. Representatives of several parties support the text.

According to the signatories, the Festival is an important international showcase for the city and the region. Initiatives related to training and audiovisual technologies have already emerged around the event. There are also active collaborations with institutions and organisations such as Supsi, Usi, BaseCamp, Locarno Pro, Cisa and Film Commission.

However, the inquiry points to the lack of a stable network throughout the year. In the signatories’ view, this gap limits the possibility of creating ongoing economic activities and jobs in the audiovisual, creative and media technology sectors.

The proposal is to make Locarno a Swiss centre of reference for independent cinema. The ideas include coworking spaces, editing and post-production rooms, podcast and video studios, filming facilities and artist residencies. The aim would be to attract professionals, companies and investors outside the weeks of the Festival as well.

The project would build on existing infrastructure, including the Palacinema, academic expertise and the international position of the event. The signatories also refer to the “Locarno Media City” study, prepared by the Zurich Centre for Creative Economies of the Zurich University of the Arts. The document proposes a model based on the connection between urban development, research, training and tourism.

Questions for the Municipal Council

The inquiry asks whether the City has a formalised strategy or an operational plan. The Municipal Council will also have to clarify what results have been achieved by the “Locarno Media City” platform and what structured collaborations exist with organisations active in the audiovisual, digital and creative sectors.

Another point concerns costs and support opportunities. The signatories refer to the Confederation’s New Regional Policy and to cantonal instruments. Including the project within the regional policy criteria could provide access to subsidised loans.

The idea should respect the Festival’s independence. It remains to be seen which organisational model could develop new activities without creating structures that would be difficult for public finances to sustain. The request addressed to the Executive focuses precisely on feasibility and funding.