The Locarno Film Festival is introducing a new competitive section dedicated to films for young audiences at its 2026 edition, organizers revealed on Thursday. “These feature films, which come from around the world and celebrate their world or world premieres, reflect the diverse range of family-friendly cinema,” they said.
Films competing for the Locarno Children’s Prize la Mobiliare will be judged by a youth jury composed of members aged between 11 and 15 years.
Seven films, all of them having their world or international debut, were selected for the inaugural edition of the competition, spanning different cinematic genres and traditions.
“For the first year that Locarno Children’s Shows is a competitive division, we have put together a program that explores the full and free range of cinematic possibilities,” said Daniela Persico, Locarno Children’s Shows programmer. “We aimed to create a surprising and accessible journey for even the youngest viewers, without shying away from the complexities of the contemporary world, while raising questions about education, environment and society. The young heroes of our films – accompanied by their animal guides and loyal friends – will help us discover the difficult path to independence and highlight how asserting one’s identity can become an asset to one’s community.”
The selection includes the Swiss nature documentary Dearborns Age of AnimalsAnd animation works such as French film Children of freedom And Colombian Mo-ki-raand Mexican adventure films New arrivals. Coming-of-age stories also featured The summer that ended twice From Italy and German ParadisaIn addition to the Danish social documentary Then luck will comewhich follows a circus for underprivileged children in Afghanistan.
Two titles will be presented outside the competition, namely the Italian and Swiss production Angel seekersabout a teenager from Ticino who discovers the world of social work, and the French animated film Viva CarmenWhich premiered in Cannes and reimagines the opera through the eyes of street children.
The 79th Locarno Festival takes place from August 5 to 15.
Here’s the full children’s screening of Locarno 79.
DERBORENCE LE TEMPS DES ANIMAUX (DERBORENCE LE TEMPS DES ANIMAUX) by Vincent
Chablouse – Switzerland – 2026
World premiere
“If Luck Comes” by Camille Bildso – Denmark, Iceland, Norway – 2026
International premiere
L’ESTATE CHE FINÌ DUE VOLTE (The Summer That Ended Twice) by Matteo Incolo –
Italy – 2026
World premiere
Los Nuevos (New Arrivals) by Rodrigo Pla – Mexico, Spain – 2026
World premiere
MU-KI-RA by Estefania Peneres Duque – Colombia, Spain – 2026
International premiere
New York, Myriam et Moi (Children of Liberty) by Remy Chapman, Liane Vivier Chabas – France, Luxembourg – 2026
International premiere
Paradisa by Marilyn Wallen – Germany – 2026
World premiere
Circatore d’Angeli (Seekers of Angels) directed by Leopoldo Pescatore – Italy, Switzerland – 2026
World premiere
Special event
Carmen, Louiso Rebel (Viva Carmen) directed by Sebastien Laudenbach – France
– 2026
The first Swiss offer
Closing event
