Locarno Film Festival Names Rithy Panh Jury President

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Rithy Panh, a renowned Cambodian filmmaker known for documenting his nation’s hardships and progress, has been appointed as the head of the main competition jury, Concorso Internazionale, for the Locarno Film Festival. This means he will lead the selection process to determine the recipient of the Pardo d’Oro, or Golden Leopard, during the 78th edition of the festival this coming summer.

Rithy Panh, renowned globally for exploring Cambodian history during and post the Khmer Rouge regime, is hailed as one of contemporary cinema’s bravest and unwavering advocates for artistic freedom. He is also a tireless advocate for the potency of historical truth,” the festival stated. “Since 1994, his films have garnered international acclaim, providing a platform for those whose lives were devastated by state-sanctioned violence.

Last year, his latest movie titled “Meeting With Pol Pot,” released in 2024 and featuring Irène Jacob and Grégoire Colin, made its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

Panh stated, ‘Cinema offers us a chance to explore different viewpoints, cultures, and tales.’ He added, ‘If we’re patient with it, cinema can be very rewarding.’ Cinema can also serve as a means of preserving history, shaping minds, and offering a place for contemplation and escape. I firmly believe that the variety of perspectives and storytelling experiences broadens our comprehension of the world. As the jury president, I want to bring attention to films that embrace this diversity and offer fresh viewpoints.'”

This version maintains the original meaning while using simpler, more conversational language.

Giona A. Nazzaro, the director of the Locarno festival, praised Panh as a “significant figure in 20th-century cinema.” He emphasized that: “Panh’s perspective has revolutionized the methods of modern filmmaking, crafting an image-based history that has had an immeasurable impact on countless filmmakers. As a credible observer of our era, his relentless pursuit of truth, his nonconformist attitude, and his genuine dedication, along with his ability to navigate effortlessly across various types of contemporary filmmaking, were the decisive factors that motivated us, instinctively and wholeheartedly, to assign him the role of president of the jury for the International Competition at the 78th Locarno Film Festival.

Nazzaro stated: “Given his abundant artistic liberty and endless creative potential, Mr. Rithy Panh seems the perfect candidate to handle these films, allowing them to connect with viewers globally.

The 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival will take place Aug. 6-16.

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2025-05-15 10:25