Starting on Thursday, August 1 – the Swiss National Day – attendees of the Rotonda by la Mobiliare could donate to the good cause: the rebuilding of communities devastated by storms in the Vallemaggia region in June 2024. An acoustic performance by the Italian singer and guitarist Davide Van De Sfroos headlined the August 1 event ‘Artisti Uniti per la Vallemaggia’ (Artists United for Vallemaggia) – an initiative co-organized by the Locarno Film Festival, the City of Locarno, and enjoyARENA, in collaboration with RSI Radiotelevisione svizzera and Radio Ticino, and supported by Ascona-Locarno Tourism and Vallemaggia Magic Blues. The evening of entertainment and solidarity was hosted by Daiana Crivelli (RSI) and Angelo Chiello (Radio Ticino) and featured, along with the famous Italian songwriter, local artists Elias Bertini & Camila Koller, Julie Meletta, Luis Landrini, Eleonor, Matilde, Black Horse, DimeBlend, and Karin Cerini.
A percentage of sales from food and beverage on August 1 together with contributions from private partners supported public donations that were given throughout the duration of the festival via QR code from the Rotonda and Piazza Grande, with an additional and popular option to donate glass deposits for to the Vallemaggia drive.
The result saw CHF 33,000 raised for those affected, and on Tuesday, September 3, this contribution was handed to the ‘Ricostruiamo insieme: Bavona-Lavizzara’ by two key representatives of the Locarno Film Festival Managing Director Raphaël Brunschwig and Vice President Luigi Pedrazzini.
We thank our private partners for their generous support - La Posta, Swiss Life, Imaculix, Smeetz, Positive Organizations, Salone Rosi by Schwarzkopf, Bonalumi Engineering SA, Rapelli, Ticinowine, Brauerei Schützengarten, Franscella, APG | SGA, Goldbach Neo OOH, MediaTi Marketing, and Colorlito – and the food vendors of the Rotonda for their participation - Deli Inka Cucina Peruviana, Fat Truck, Friggitoria Lungolago, Fully on the Way, Famiglia Homemadepasta, Hum Kitchen, La Bottega StreetFood, La Piadineria, Margherì, Mem’s Thai Food, Mesopotamia Food, Momo Tibetano, Tex Mex, Rockfood, Zeus Greek God of Gyros.
The 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival will take place from 6-16 August 2025.