Zsuzsi Bánkuti

Source: Sabine Cattaneo

Zsuzsi Bánkuti

The Locarno Film Festival has appointed Zsuzsi Bánkuti as the permanent head of its Open Doors programme. 

As part of Locarno Pro, Open Doors has been running for 20 years and aims to champion filmmaking from regions where independent cinema is especially challenging.

Bánkuti was interim head of this year’s event, the first edition of a three-year cycle focused on Latin America and the Caribbean.

Previously, Bánkuti was head of acquisitions at The Match Factory between 2012-2020, before joining the Open Doors team as talent development manager.

She has also worked as a consultant for Doha Film Institute, Torino Film Lab and Cinemart.

This year’s Locarno Film Festival runs August 3-13.