The festival’s Concorco Cineasti del presente competition is increasing its prize fund as well as adding a new prize.

Locarno’s Concorso Cineasti del presente competition has increased its prize from 30,000 CHF to 40,000 CHF, as well as introducing a new prize for the best new director, worth 20,000 CHF.

The decision to raise the prize money is part of the festival’s bid to raise the profile of the section, which is separate to the festival’s main competition, and celebrates first and second films from emerging directors.

The Pardo d’oro Cineasti del presente ­­– George Foundation, previously worth 30,000 CHF will be upped to 40,000 CHF and a new prize for Premio miglior regista emergente, worth 20,000 CHF will go to the best new director, funded by the City of Lugano.

The competition section will include fifteen fiction and documentary films, presented as world or international premieres.

The complete programme for all sections of the festival which takes place August 1-11, will be announced on July 11.