Locarno fest adds cash, prize

ROME -- The Locarno Film Festival is beefing-up its Filmmakers in the Present competition with elevated cash together with a brand new jerk to find the best emerging helmer. Filmmakers in the Present, which runs parallel for the primary competition in the indie-friendly Swiss fest, is showing the emerging director award, worth 20,000 Swiss Francs ($22,000). Simultaneously, section's primary prize, the Filmmakers in the Present Golden Pard, continues to be upped to $44,000 from $33,000. About 15 feature-length works, including docus, will compete. The 65th edition of Locarno will probably be held August. 1-11 Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com