The Locarno Industry Academy is a training program launched in 2014 at the Locarno Film Festival with strong European and international components, designed to help young professionals expand their network in the areas of international sales, marketing, traditional and online distribution, exhibition and programming (festivals, film clubs and film libraries).

In 2023, the Industry Academy takes place in Latin America in partnership with BrLab (São Paulo) and the Festival de Morelia (Mexico). This training program’s Brazilian variant, the São Paulo Locarno Industry Academy, takes place within the schedule of the 13th BrLab.

The program offers a unique opportunity for the new generations to understand the industry’s challenges and connect with established professionals.

In the last decade in Brazil, a new interest in the film industry has emerged, mainly as a means to reach the international market. With new technologies competing for space in movie theaters and today’s new content formats, the independent film industry needs to constantly reinvent itself. The Covid-19 pandemic has also reinforced this need for change and restructuring.

The Industry Academy in Latin America has become an incredible opportunity for young professionals in Latin America and an essential hub for network connections in the region. After 4 years in partnership with BrLab, we are proud to support this place for much necessary dialogue among a great diversity of industry works, as well as its producers and creators.

The Industry Academy has also expanded significantly on the international scene, offering workshops in alliance with film festivals and renowned institutions such as the Thessaloniki IFF in Greece, Film at Lincoln Center in the US, MC Distribution and BCP in Beirut, and recently the Realness Institute in South Africa.

In Latin America, the Industry Academy is present in Chile with Australab, in Mexico with the Morelia International Film Festival, in Panama with the Panama IFF, and in Brazil in association with BrLab. In 2023, we have the support of Spcine, Projeto Paradiso, and a media alliance with LatAm Cinema.

Julia Duarte – Regional Coordinator

Marion Klotz – Coordinator