The Swiss watchmaker is set to dial up the good vibes of the film festival’s 77th edition with exciting activities and limited-edition watch
Founded in 1946, the Locarno Film Festival has established itself as one of the world’s leading events in film, where filmmakers and film fans come together to celebrate the art of storytelling on the big screen. Swatch is proud to once again be main partner of this prestigious festival which will be celebrating its 77th edition between August 7 and 17, 2024.
Throughout the many years of collaboration with the Locarno Film Festival, Swatch has been present with different initiatives, from hosting Swatch Art Peace Hotel artists allowing them to participate to the Filmmakers Academy, to presenting their work at the BaseCamp with dedicated exhibitions. In sync with its passion and commitment to support artists and their work, Swatch has been a crucial link between upcoming film talent and the Locarno Film Festival for many years, spreading the joy of cinema and encouraging talented filmmakers. In support of auteur cinema, Swatch will be awarding a talented filmmaker the Swatch First Feature Award of CHF 15,000.
Continuing its longstanding tradition with this event, Swatch has created a special, limited-edition watch inspired by the film festival’s colors. LOCARNO77, the official watch of the 2024 edition, will be for the first time… square, presenting a premiere in the unique lineup of festival watches created so far.
The distinctive square dial of LOCARNO77, draws inspiration from the celluloid film used in motion pictures. This design choice not only pays homage to the cinematic world but also infuses the watch with a touch of nostalgia. Its black strap features contrasting double loops with the Locarno Film Festival logo and the numbers 77 in homage to the number of years the festival has shown the most daring, avant-garde and innovative forms of film. In a playful twist, the battery cover on the back of the watch features a leopard pattern print in honor of the famous Pardo d’Oro.
During the event, Swatch will be welcoming fans a few steps from the Piazza Grande at the Swatch Studios which made its grand debut last year. In this space, visitors will enjoy a stroll down a street not commonly found in Locarno and marvel at the unique shop facades adorning it. Among the facades, one has a striking resemblance to the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai. There, visitors will discover “Flower of Abundance”, a virtual artwork by Luo Bi, a digital artist and former Swatch Art Peace Hotel artist-in-residence. A creative force from China, Luo Bi weaves together computer-generated animations with observations of nature to create unique virtual worlds that are sure to challenge how viewers see the world.
A shared vision of love for cinema and the arts unites Swatch and the Locarno Film Festival. Following many years of close cooperation, Swatch is excited to contribute to the success of the upcoming edition and as Main Partner for the second year in a row, weave a unique Swatch energy into every frame. Join us in the picturesque town of Locarno and let the magic of cinema unfold.
