Fabrice Du Welz heads Locarno main jury by Amber Wilkinson
The stage is set for an exciting cinematic season, as the prestigious Locarno Film Festival prepares to welcome new voices and award compelling stories in 2026. The festival has unveiled its esteemed jury, a panel of visionary filmmakers and industry heavyweights ready to navigate the landscape of global cinema.
At the helm of the International Competition jury for this year’s event is the acclaimed director Fabrice Du Welz. He will deliberate alongside an impressive group of international talent, including Italian producer Marco Alessi, French actress Lolita Chammah, Chilean actress Paulina García, and Olivier Père, executive director of ARTE France Cinéma.
Beyond the main competition, the festival is setting aside specific categories for curated viewing and critical assessment. The Filmmakers Of The Present jury will be led by Tunisian powerhouse Afef Ben Mahmoud, who brings a rich history as an actress, director, producer, and director of the Gabès Cinéma Fen Festival Afef Ben Mahmoud.
She is joined by Czech producer and director Radovan Síbrt and filmmaker Margherita Spampinato, known for works like Sweetheart.
For the special Pardi di Domani (Leopards of Tomorrow) section, which seeks to spotlight emerging talent, the jury features a diverse international lineup. This panel includes Lebanese director, writer, and actress Mounia Akl, South African producer Steven Markovitz, and Italian director Antonio Piazza.
Even the flagship First Feature jury is stacked with formidable talent. This group includes Matthieu Darras, director of Tantino, Sung Moon from the Jeonju International Film Festival, and Swiss-Peruvian filmmaker Klaudia Reynicke, ensuring a wide spectrum of cinematic perspectives will guide the festival’s critical decisions.
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