Locarno Pro Awards $100k+ in Prizes

The Locarno Film Festival's Locarno Pro industry strand announced its winners on Sunday, with 'Spring Story' and 'The Surubí' taking top prizes in the First Look works-in-progress section. 'Spring Story' won the Bright Side of the Moon First Look Award and the Le Film Français Award, while 'The Surubí' won the La Mayor Cine Award, the Music Library &SFX/Acorde Award, and the Jannuzzi Smith Award.

The Music Library &SFX/Acorde Award is worth €45,000, and the Jannuzzi Smith Award is worth €10,000. 'The Surubí' also won the La Mayor Cine Award, which consists of complete sound post-production services.

In the Alliance 4 Development co-development platform, 'Yazz' won the Nebel Studios Award, estimated to be worth CHF 30,500, and the Studio13/Valais Film Commission Award, estimated to be worth $14,825. The Nebel Studios Award includes three days of studio use and five days of camera equipment, while the Studio13/Valais Film Commission Award includes five days of studio use at Studio13 in Valais, Switzerland.

## What it means The Locarno Pro awards provide significant support to emerging filmmakers, with the prizes including cash awards, post-production services, and equipment rentals. The winners were chosen from a pool of projects from around the world, with a focus on Uruguay in the First Look section. The 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival runs until August 15.

Other winners included 'A Vineyard for a Lobster' and 'Accept My Plea for Burial', which won the Open Doors Grant. The Masé Studios Post-Production Award was shared by 'Cuore Matto' and 'Les Orages Magnétiques', with 'Les Orages Magnétiques' also picking up the Midpoint Consulting Award.

## Why it matters The Locarno Pro awards are an important part of the Locarno Film Festival, providing a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their work and receive support to complete their projects. The awards also highlight the diversity of filmmaking talent from around the world, with winners from Uruguay, Switzerland, and other countries.