Locarno Heritage Restoration Contest
Thanks to our partner Cinegrell, we can offer restoration services (up to 50’000 CHF) to one film. Find here criterias, options, timeline and workflow
Thanks to our partner Cinegrell, we can offer restoration services (up to 50’000 CHF) to one film. Find here criterias, options, timeline and workflow
The Heritage Restoration Contest is open from 4 March to 29 April, 2025 at 6pm CET.
Eligibility Criteria:
The film must have had its theatrical release at least 15 years ago (films released up to and including 2010).
Film Status:
Feature-length (over 60’) needs restoration.
The restoration work can include:
Film analyses, comparing (if several elements/ generations are available and the restoration needs a reconstruction), film repair, scanning image/ sound, sound restoration, digital restoration (retouching, stabilization etc), upscaling (if video source), colour grading, title work/ graphics, deliveries.
Sponsoring Details:
Services provided are conducted by Cinegrell inhouse. Services which aren’t included (like eg transcription, translation, spotting of subtitles) can be quoted to the client as additional costs and the services can be organized/ managed by Cinegrell. All Restoration Materials shipping will be at the applicant’s charge.
Who can apply:
Only right-holders of feature-length films who can demonstrate that they are the rightful owners of this work. The right-holders must present clear info on where the elements/source material are located and what their status/conditions are. Original Contract and/or Chain of rights documentation are requested.
Applications can only be for a single project/Feature-length film restoration.
The submission will be analysed by a jury of three professionals with experience in the Film Heritage Industry. Jurors will be announced in May, while the winner of the Restoration Contest will be announced during the Locarno Pro Award Ceremony on Sunday, August 10th, 2025.
Timeline
The submission will be analyzed by a jury of three professionals with experience in the Film Heritage Industry. Jurors will be announced in May, while the winner of the Restoration Contest will be announced during the Locarno Pro Award Ceremony on Sunday, August 10th, 2025.
Restoration Work of the winning project: Autumn, Winter 2025/2026
World Premiere of the restored project: Locarno Film Festival, August 2026
Promotion of the restored winning film on Heritage Online: after August 2026
For any question: heritage@locarnofestival.ch
Please note that before submitting your project you will need to create your Locarno Film Festival account and log in.
Apply now
