The Locarno Film Festival 2024 wrapped up on Saturday, awarding top honors to several standout films. Here’s a rundown of the key winners:
Golden Leopard
- “Toxic” (Lithuania)
Directed by Saule Bliuvaite, this film about two teenage models seeking escape from their bleak hometown triumphed as the festival’s top film. Bliuvaite, the youngest director in the competition at 30, described the film as a portrayal of the transitional phase between childhood and adulthood.
Special Jury Prize
- “Mond” (Austria)
Directed by Kurdwin Ayub, this film earned the runner-up Special Jury Prize.
Best Director
- Laurynas Bareisa for “Drowning Dry” (Lithuania)
This film, focusing on sisters coping with trauma, also won two major awards.
Best Performance
- Collective Best Performance Award
Actors Gelmine Glemzaite, Agne Kaktaite, Giedrius Kiela, and Paulius Markevicius were honored for their roles in “Drowning Dry” (Lithuania). - Best Performance Award
Kim Min-hee for her role in “By The Stream” (South Korea), a drama set in a school.
Special Awards
- Pardo alla Carriera
Shah Rukh Khan was recognized for his significant artistic contributions to cinema. - Lifetime Achievement Award
Alfonso Cuaron received this award for his influential work, including his Oscar-winning films “Gravity” (2013) and “Roma” (2018). - Leopard of Honour
Jane Campion was honored for her outstanding contributions to world cinema. Campion, who won Oscars for “The Power of the Dog” (2021) and “The Piano” (1993), spoke about the importance of enthusiasm in filmmaking.
The 77th Locarno Film Festival, held from August 7, featured 225 films, including 104 world premieres and 15 debut movies. The festival continues to be a significant platform for auteur cinema, drawing nearly 150,000 attendees last year.
