The Locarno film festival one of the most prestigious events in international cinema, is set to captivate audiences with its 79th edition from August 5-15, 2026. This year’s festival promises a rich tapestry of films that delve into the lives of notable figures, from celebrated artists to controversial personalities. The lineup includes a mix of documentaries, essay films, and fiction features, each offering a unique perspective on its subject.
The festival, held in the picturesque Swiss town of Locarno, has always been a beacon for cinematic innovation and storytelling. This year, the focus on biographical films provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of individuals who have shaped history, culture, and society. From a German actress and singer to a U.S. prisoner, the films explore a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
The Artistic Vision of Giona A. Nazzaro
The artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival, Giona A. Nazzaro has curated a program that highlights the diversity and depth of biographical cinema. Nazzaro’s selection includes films that challenge conventional storytelling and offer fresh insights into their subjects. Among the standout films are Sixteen Moments of My Life by Albert Serra and Bruton by Vincent Grashaw, both of which promise to captivate audiences with their unique approaches to biographical storytelling.
Highlighting Notable Films
Sixteen Moments of My Life by Albert Serra
Sixteen Moments of My Life directed by the acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Albert Serra focuses on the life of German actress and singer Ingrid Caven. Known for her collaborations with her former husband, the legendary director Rainer Werner Fassbinder Caven has left an indelible mark on cinema. This film, presented out of competition, is a unique concert performance at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord in Paris, where Caven sings about 16 pivotal moments from her life. Nazzaro describes it as a live concert that Serra worked on with Caven, noting its potential to be very interesting for audiences.
Bruton by Vincent Grashaw
Vincent Grashaw returns to Locarno with Bruton a biopic about Bryan Bruton, a U.S. prisoner sentenced to a decade in a Florida prison for an unintended crime. The film, also presented out of competition, stars Theo Rossi and follows Bruton’s journey through the correctional system. Based on a tragic accident that led to a manslaughter conviction in the early 2000s, the movie explores Bruton’s experiences in the Florida prison system and his subsequent transformation into a YouTube content creator.
Marco Bellocchio: La Porta Della Realtà by Fabio Lovino
Fabio Lovino’s documentary, Marco Bellocchio: La Porta Della Realtà offers an exclusive portrait of the renowned Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio. Lovino, who worked as a set photographer for Bellocchio for over 20 years, shares his experiences and emotions through interviews and unseen images from the set. The film features insights from Bellocchio’s family, collaborators, and prominent actors such as Pierfrancesco Favino and Fabrizio Gifuni.
I Is Another by Felix Randau
I Is Another directed by Felix Randau, is a fiction feature that delves into the life of Felix Kersten, the former massage therapist to Nazi SS leader Heinrich Himmler. The film, set in 1952, follows journalist Hedda and her husband as they ambush Kersten on a train. Kersten claims to have helped thousands of concentration camp prisoners during the Nazi era, but Hedda’s doubts lead to a psychological cat-and-mouse game. The star-studded cast includes Claes BangValerie Pachner and Susanne Wuest.
Revolutionaries Never Die by Mohanad Yaqubi
Mohanad Yaqubi’s Revolutionaries Never Die is a cinematic letter to the late Lebanese filmmaker Jocelyne Saab celebrating her legacy by tracing 16 of her films documenting Arab revolutions and struggles between 1973 and 1983. The film transforms into a lyrical expedition through Saab’s life, political commitments, and artistic vision, offering a striking resonance between her historical depictions and contemporary realities.
Transition by Peter Badel and Chris Wright
Transition directed by Peter Badel and Chris Wright, tells the personal story of documentarian Thomas Heise who began a film about Berlin’s Schönhauser Allee before his unexpected death. Heise’s long-time cinematographer Badel and editor Wright completed the film, revealing lived history and the thoughts of a great thinker. Heise was known for chronicling the reality of life in East Germany and the societal changes after German reunification.
The 2026 Locarno Film Festival promises to be a captivating exploration of lives through cinema, offering audiences a unique opportunity to delve into the stories of famous and infamous figures. With a diverse lineup of biographical films, the festival continues to celebrate the art of storytelling and the power of cinema to illuminate the human experience.
