Locarno Pro 2026 Tackles AI, Data Power and Global Film Collaboration

During Aug. 6-11, Locarno Pro’s 15th edition will gather around 2,000 industry guests, three-quarters of whom come from Europe, for discussions on how AI, algorithms and corporate consolidation are reshaping independent cinema. The program opens with the StepIn session, examining power structures, politics and data, and features Open Doors’ second-year focus on Africa with six projects, six producers and five directors.

In partnership with Uruguay’s ACAU, six Uruguayan films in post-production will be highlighted in the First Look showcase. The Investment Community returns for a second year, bringing roughly 45 investors—including private banks, philanthropic groups and European funds—to network with talent through curated meetings. New offerings include a Locarno Pro podcast, the Open Doors Connect sponsorship model, and continued networking tools like Match Me! and Alliance 4 Development. Heritage Monday will present recent restorations, while the festival aims to foster creative freedom amid growing algorithmic and AI pressures.