Cambodian Filmmaker to Head Main Competition Jury
Rithy Panh, the Cambodian filmmaker and “chronicler of his country’s traumas and gradual social recovery,” is set to serve as the jury president of the Locarno Film Festival‘s main competition jury, the Concorso Internazionale. He will oversee the process that will decide the winner of the prestigious Pardo d’Oro, or Golden Leopard, at the 78th edition of the Swiss festival this summer.
Known globally for his investigations into Cambodian history during and after the Khmer Rouge dictatorship, Panh is celebrated as one of contemporary cinema’s most courageous defenders of artistic freedom. Since 1994, his feature films have garnered acclaim worldwide, giving voice to those affected by state violence.
His latest film, "Meeting With Pol Pot" (2024), starring Irène Jacob and Grégoire Colin, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year.
Speaking about his role as jury president, Panh emphasized the importance of cinema in offering new perspectives, preserving history, and influencing mindsets. He aims to highlight films that celebrate diversity and provide unique viewpoints for audiences.
Giona A. Nazzaro, artistic director of the Locarno festival, praised Panh as a key figure in 20th-century cinema, noting his reinvention of contemporary filmmaking forms and his passionate search for truth. Nazzaro highlighted Panh's artistic freedom and creativity, making him the ideal figure to lead the jury at the 78th Locarno Film Festival.
The 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival is scheduled to take place from Aug. 6-16.
