Locarno Focus On Mexico
Written by: FFT Webmaster | March 23rd, 2012
It is still several months away, but the industry is taking notice of the announcement that the Locarno Film Festival, one of Europe’s most prestigious film events, is dedicating its Carte Blanche series to Mexico this summer. This unique annual initiative aims to offer a showcase for films in post-production, from a different country in Asia, Africa, Latin America or South-East Europe. Carte Blanche is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). With the cooperation of the Mexican Film Institute, Carte Blanche will show five to eight films in post-production, each introduced by its producer, to the various international sales agents and festival programmers who participate in the Locarno Industry Days. Carte Blanche will take place on Sunday, August 5 and at the end of the day a jury composed of three professionals will offer the best film a prize of 10,000 CHF, to be used to complete the film. This initiative completes the range of opportunities the Festival offers specifically tailored to the needs and interests of professionals in the sector: buyers (Industry Screenings), producers (Open Doors) and sales agents (Carte Blanche). The selected films will be announced in July. The Festival itself will take place in the beautiful resort of Locarno in Switzerland from August 1 to 11.