Born and raised in Italian-speaking Switzerland and trained at HEAD in Geneva, Marcel Barelli has established himself as one of the most promising and original voices in Swiss and international animation cinema. In short films such as Gypaetus helveticus (2011), Vigia (2013) – winner of the Pardino d’Argento at the 66th Locarno Film Festival – Lucens (2015), and Habitat (2016), Barelli has developed a unique poetic style sensitive to themes of environmental sustainability, exploring the deep relationship between humans, animals, and nature. In 2022, he received the Swiss Film Award for Best Animated Film with Dans la nature (2021), awarded at over 80 festivals worldwide.
Giona A. Nazzaro, Artistic Director of the Locarno Film Festival: “Marcel Barelli represents an idea of resistance to the conformism of emotions, which becomes a light and dreamy trait to outline a world to rethink and rebuild, returning it to human beings of all ages. According to Barelli, cinema and animation are made of the same material as the most precious and generous dreams.”
In Locarno, Marcel Barelli will present the Swiss premiere of his first animated feature film, Mary Anning, chasseuse de fossiles, within the Locarno Kids Screenings section, which is made possible thanks to the Festival’s Main Partner la Mobiliare. Inspired by the story of a pioneering figure in paleontology, the film follows the adventures of young Mary, a curious and determined twelve-year-old, who after the death of her father embarks on a mysterious adventure: among fossils, challenges, and new friendships, she will discover the power of knowledge and find her place in the world of science.
Seven other films will feature in the same section – conceived as an introduction to cinema for children, young people, and families – including many world and international premieres. A selection of films ranging from animation to documentary, from historical drama to adventure film, all united by the central theme of community. In a society increasingly oriented towards individualism, stories of people who decide to come together to face the problems before them stand out from the program, touching on current issues such as ecology, nationalism, the fight against poverty, and fragilities of the family. A journey that never forgets the value of play as a creative and unifying force, encapsulated in the motto: “All for one!”
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Arco by Ugo Bienvenu – Opening Film
Swiss Premiere
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Fantastique by Marjolijn Prins
World Premiere
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Grevlingene (The Badgers) by Paul M. Lundø – Closing Film
World Premiere
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io non ti lascio solo by Fabrizio Cattani
World Premiere
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L’Olívia i el terratrèmol invisible (Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake) by Irene Iborra Rizo
International Premiere
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Skrzat. Nowy początek (Pixie. The New Beginning) by Krzysztof Komander
International Premiere
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Tichá pošta (Secret Delivery) by Ján Sebechlebský
International Premiere
The film screenings, accompanied by directors, will be held in collaboration with the Castellinaria Festival del cinema giovane.
Click here to view all information regarding the films selected for the Locarno Kids Screenings (PDF)
The Locarno Kids la Mobiliare Program
Locarno Kids la Mobiliare is the program of the Locarno Film Festival and its Main Partner la Mobiliare for children, young people and families. Together, the Festival and la Mobiliare invite young viewers to discover and actively participate in the magic of cinema through engaging and educational experiences. The initiatives include a Prefestival evening, which offers children and families their first free cinema experience on the Piazza Grande before the official start of the Festival, and the Atelier du Futur, a creative laboratory in which young people explore social and ecological issues in a playful way. In addition to the Atelier du Futur in Locarno, la Mobiliare also organizes similar future labs at other locations, including the Visions du Réel documentary film festival in Nyon. Throughout the year, Locarno Kids la Mobiliare also offers free film screenings and participatory workshops for the youngest cinema-goers.
The educational activities program is also complemented by a series of workshops, meetings, and activities to experiment and have fun with cinema. The workshops are offered in collaboration with Locarno Kids educational partners (SUPSI – Department of Training and Learning, Castellinaria Festival del cinema giovane, RSI EDU, WWF, LAC edu, Cinemagia (ggl), La Lanterna Magica, and the Lern Film Festival). More information on workshops and registrations can be found on the website.
In addition to the Main Partner la Mobiliare, Locarno Kids and the educational programs are also made possible thanks to SES (Società Elettrica Sopracenerina), the Beisheim, Gebert Rüf, Gottfried und Ursula Schäppi-Jecklin foundations, and the Culture Foundation in Locarno.
The 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival will take place from 6-16 August 2025.