The Locarno Film Festival has partnered with Mubi to launch a new cross-section award for first-time filmmakers set to launch at this year’s edition of the Swiss festival, running from August 7 to 17. 

The MUBI Award – Debut Feature will be given to a first-time director showing their film as a world or international premiere in the Festival’s official selection.

The award will be given by the Locarno Film Festival’s First Feature jury, composed of Moroccan director-producer Khalil Benkirane (Doha Film Institute), Finnish actor Alma Pöysti (Fallen Leaves), and make-up designer Esmé Sciaroni (La Chimera). The Locarno awards ceremony will take place on August 17 and be live-streamed on the festival’s website.

Discussing today’s announcement, Locarno head Giona A. Nazzaro described the award as a new “prestigious collaboration to support emerging cinema even more incisively and convincingly than before.”

“We’re very glad to be collaborating with MUBI on a new award capable of opening unprecedented avenues and potentialities for young and auteur cinema, thus defending artistic freedom and creativity,” he said. “This is a new partnership but a longstanding mission: an award for the cinema today that sets the foundations for the cinema of tomorrow.”

Efe Çakarel, Mubi founder and CEO added: “Elevating great cinema, and the filmmakers that create it, really is why Mubi exists. We truly hope that this prize helps a new generation of storytellers bring their visions and voices to life. We can’t wait to see their future masterpieces, and to share them with the world on Mubi.”