Mubi and Locarno Launch Award for Debut Feature Films

The Locarno Film Festival has teamed up with Mubi to introduce a fresh cross-section award specifically for debut filmmakers. This new accolade will debut at this year’s Swiss festival, slated for August 7 to 17.

The award, named the MUBI Award – Debut Feature, will go to a first-time director premiering their film either globally or internationally within the Festival’s official selection.

The honor will be awarded by the Locarno Film Festival’s First Feature jury. This year’s jury includes Moroccan director-producer Khalil Benkirane from the Doha Film Institute, Finnish actor Alma Pöysti known for her role in “Fallen Leaves,” and make-up designer Esmé Sciaroni who worked on “La Chimera.” The ceremony for the Locarno awards is set for August 17 and will be available to watch live on the festival’s website.

In a statement regarding the announcement, Locarno head Giona A. Nazzaro described the award as an exciting “prestigious collaboration to support emerging cinema even more incisively and convincingly than before.”

“We’re very glad to be collaborating with MUBI on a new award capable of opening unprecedented avenues and potentialities for young and auteur cinema, thus defending artistic freedom and creativity,” he expressed. “This is a new partnership but a longstanding mission: an award for the cinema today that sets the foundations for the cinema of tomorrow.”

Efe Çakarel, the founder and CEO of Mubi, shared his thoughts, adding: “Elevating great cinema, and the filmmakers that create it, really is why Mubi exists. We truly hope that this prize helps a new generation of storytellers bring their visions and voices to life. We can’t wait to see their future masterpieces, and to share them with the world on Mubi.”

Source: Various