Florian Hoffmann’s “Yazz,” a feature film depicting a teenager growing up in a United Nations compound in the Central African Republic, secured two top honors at the Locarno Pro Awards for the Alliance 4 Development co-development platform, according to festival organizers. The Swiss-German-French co-production—backed by Tellfilm, NiKo Film, and Eaux Vives Productions—surpassed 10 competing projects to claim the Nebel Studios Award, valued at CHF 30,500 ($37,678) in technical services, alongside the Studio13/Valais Film Commission Award worth approximately $14,825.
Locarno Pro Alliance 4 Development Winners
The Alliance 4 Development jury praised “Yazz” for offering a distinct, internal view of a heavily scrutinized geopolitical environment. “What really struck us about ‘Yazz’ is its unique and very personal perspective on a world we think we know, but rarely see from the inside,” the jury stated. Panelists also noted that the project arrived at an advanced development stage with secured Swiss funding and experienced partners already attached.
Additional prizes at the Locarno Pro co-development platform were distributed across several European projects:
- “Cuore Matto” (Switzerland): Tamer Ruggli’s queer, feminist coming-of-age musical shared the Masé Studios Post-Production Award—valued at nearly $31,000—with “Les Orages Magnétiques.” It is produced by Francine Lusser and Gérard Monier of Tipimages Productions.
- “Les Orages Magnétiques” (“Magnetic Storms”) (Switzerland): Directed by Wendy Pillonel and produced by Flavia Zanon of Close Up Films, this coming-of-age feature exploring misogynistic environments shared the post-production prize and separately won the Midpoint Consulting Award for script development.
- “Sparare alle Angurie” (“Shooting Watermelons”) (Italy): Antonio Donato’s project, produced by Santiago Fondevila Sancet of Cinedora, received the Masé Studios cash voucher worth more than $3,706. The narrative centers on an authoritarian father and his two sons examining masculinity and patriarchy.
- “Le Règne des Silures” (“Reign of Silures”) (France): Jessica Puppo’s project, produced by Alexis Perrin of Rumble Fish Productions, won the Ticino Film Commission Residence Award, granting a location scout worth nearly $5,000 and a letter of intent for up to CHF 12,000 ($14,824) in financial backing if filmed in Ticino.
- “Third Take” (France): Directed by Bruce LaBruce and produced by Nicolas Brevière of Local Films, this project earned the Alphapanda Market Breakout Award providing roughly $4,320 in consultancy services.
Did you know? The Locarno Pro Alliance 4 Development platform specifically fosters co-productions originating from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, bridging financing gaps for European independent cinema.
Heritage Restoration Contest Honoring Swiss Cinema
The 2025 restoration prize went to Anne-Marie Miéville’s 1997 film, “Nous sommes tous encore ici” (“We’re All Still Here”), a three-part meditation featuring filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard in a rare acting role.
Allemann (Cinegrell) selected the work. “First presented at the festival in 1997, ‘Nous sommes tous encore ici’ is an essential work of Swiss cinema by one of the country’s leading female directors,” the jury declared. Under the award terms, Cinegrell will completely restore the feature for a premiere at the festival’s 2027 edition.
Past winners of the Heritage Restoration Contest include Safi Faye’s “Letter From My Village” (1976), Liliana Cavani’s “The Cannibals” (1969), and Alberto Cavalcanti’s “Mulher de Verdade” (1954).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Locarno Pro Alliance 4 Development?
It is a co-development platform at the Locarno Film Festival designed to support feature film projects from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland by connecting producers with financing and studio resources.
What did the top winner, “Yazz,” receive?
According to festival disclosures, “Yazz” won the Nebel Studios Award (valued at approximately $37,678 in equipment and studio use) and the Studio13/Valais Film Commission Award (valued at nearly $14,825).
Which film won the Locarno Heritage Restoration Contest?
Anne-Marie Miéville’s 1997 film “Nous sommes tous encore ici” won the restoration prize, securing a complete cinematic restoration by Cinegrell ahead of a 2027 festival screening.
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