Markus Duffner

A German citizen born and raised in Italy, Markus Duffner studied at the University of Urbino (literature, art, and foreign cultures) and Bologna (film, television and multimedia production). Since 2004 he has developed his professional skills in advertising sales for the trade press (including Le Film Français and Cannes Market News) and in film markets (such as the Business Street, now MIA Market). He has also been programming director for several film festivals, including the Monte-Carlo Film Festival de la Comédie and the VOICES Festival, and is a founding member of the animation production company Spamflix.

In 2014 he started working for Locarno Pro, taking charge of projects such as First Look and Match Me!, and in 2020 he designed and created the innovative platform Heritage Online, devoted to digital distribution of classic and auteur movies, which then led to the creation of the Locarno Heritage project, a set of industry activities and tools devoted to the classic film industry. As of 2024, he is the Director of Locarno Pro and is responsible for the management, development, and financing of the Festival’s activities dedicated to film industry professionals.