All lights on the 79th Locarno Film Festival!
One of cinema's most celebrated film festivals is back for its 79th edition, running from August 5 to 15 in Locarno, Switzerland. As main partner, we bring our longstanding love for film, creativity and art in all its forms to this legendary stage.
Meet LOCARNO79 PAY
LOCARNO79 PAY, this year's festival watch, pairs wild style with a sleek black dial, vivid yellow accents, and a faux-leopard-fur strap.
Equipped with Swatch Pay, it lets you make secure contactless payments as you move through the scenes of everyday life.
Pay without missing a frame
Activating and using a Swatch Pay watch is incredibly simple. Just download the Swatch Pay app, connect your watch to your payment card via the app, and you’re ready to pay with a quick wave of your wrist at any contactless payment terminal.
Swatch calls action on opening night
On August 5, Swatch takes center stage at the Magistrale to lead the festival's official opening party, a spectacular evening to set the tone for eleven days of world-class cinema.
Lights, camera…ride!
Curated vehicles will shuttle festivalgoers from the main train station to the event throughout the festival’s eleven‑day program.
Art in the frame
Precarious Pangolins, created by 2026 Swatch Art Peace Hotel artist-in-residence Sam Wilde, will be on display throughout the entire festival for everyone to discover.
The Swatch First Feature Award
Swatch continues its support of auteur cinema with the CHF 15,000 Swatch First Feature Award, celebrating bold, striking debut films.