Since 2022, in collaboration with Zurich and Berlin-based's Cinegrell film lab, the Locarno Film Festival's Restoration Contest has been offering a complete restoration to a winning classic film, with restoration commencing shortly after the festival. The restored film then enjoys its premiere at the following edition of the Locarno Film Festival.
The Restoration Contest is open to feature films from around the world that premiered no later than 2011. Applicants must demonstrate that they are the rightful owners of the submitted films, which may require either partial or full restoration. The next edition of the contest will open in March 2025.
In 2024, the contest was won by the Italian film I cannibali (The Cannibals, 1969) by Liliana Cavani. The film will be restored by film lab Cinegrell and presented during Locarno78. A jury of three international industry professionals evaluated applications submitted from all over the world.
In 2023, the contest was won by the Brazilian film Muhler de Verdade by Alberto Cavalcanti (1954). The film has been presented at Locarno77 and is now available on streaming on this page.
