As the first major international film festival mounted following SAG-AFTRTA’s decision to join the WGA in strike action against the studios, there was much speculation about how the Locarno Film Festival would adapt its lineup.
The fest lost its opening-night centerpiece at short notice, with UK actor-producer Riz Ahmed pulling out of an appearance during which he was set to receive Locarno’s Davide Campari lifetime achievement award.
Fellow lifetime award recipient Stellan Skarsgård also pulled out of his festival engagements. Instead, the fest pulled into motion Wednesday evening with a subdued opening-night ceremony.
Proceedings began with the festival’s outgoing president, Marco Solari, opening the event for the last time following a 23-year tenure.
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