In Locarno, short films took center stage in a celebration of stories, talent and international cinema, culminating in the triumph of Will, the Canadian short directed by Clara Altimas, at the first edition of the Movie & Short Festival.

Held on August 9 at Spazio Elle and hosted by actor Elijah Knight, the ceremony crowned Will with no fewer than four awards: Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Soundtrack making it the most decorated title of the festival.

The evening brought another major victory for the film when its leading actor, Ed Pinker, received the award for Best Performance. Pinker, already known for his work in television series such as Murdoch Mysteries, Locke & Key and The Handmaid’s Tale, delivers a performance built on the perfect balance between comedy and vulnerability. His character, Will, is an endearing but chaotic children’s entertainer who arrives at his girlfriend’s prestigious charity fundraiser wearing full medieval armor after misunderstanding the dress code. What begins as an absurd and hilarious fashion disaster soon turns into something far more revealing, as the evening forces the couple to confront a difficult possibility: perhaps they are no longer the right people for each other.

But Will was far from the only title to make an impression. The Online Audience Award, decided through voting on Dailybloid.com, went to Sprout, directed by Allie Yonick and Mara Da Costa Reis, while Imogen Whist received the award for Best Actress for her performance in the film. The story follows Maggie and her daughter Jules as they struggle to cope with the loss of their sprout farm, with actress Allegra Fulton also appearing in the cast. Fulton is internationally recognized for her work in films such as The Shape of Water and Maudie.

The award for Best Cinematography was shared by Mauro Nigro for Amigdala and Will, underlining the importance of visual storytelling throughout the competition. Amigdala takes viewers into the troubled mind of a young woman who keeps seeing her deceased sister, a haunting presence that refuses to disappear. It is a story built around memory, grief and the thin line between what is gone and what remains alive in the imagination.

The Fellini Foundation added another prestigious layer to the awards ceremony by presenting its Maestro Award to La prima spiaggia, directed by Raul Quagliata. Centered on a youthful romance by the sea, the film was recognized for its humanistic dimension, poetry and humor, qualities that, despite its contemporary perspective, evoke the tradition of great Italian filmmakers, with Federico Fellini as a clear point of reference. The Foundation also awarded a Special Mention to The Truth by Marcel Büchi, again highlighting its humanistic spirit, poetry and sense of humor.

Yet one of the most intriguing aspects of the festival was its impressive international lineup. Among the competing films was Emma Zander: Bad Dream, featuring Jacob Elordi, one of the most prominent stars of his generation, known for acclaimed performances in films such as Saltburn, Priscilla and Frankenstein. Another standout title was It Happened Again Last Night, by Roze and Gabrielle Stone, starring Sydney Sweeney, who has become a major international name thanks to Euphoria and the romantic comedy Anyone But You. With Allegra Fulton also appearing in Sprout, the festival managed to create an intriguing meeting point between emerging filmmakers, established performers and the international entertainment industry.

The jury reflected the same eclectic spirit, bringing together professionals from film, theater, literature and entertainment. Among them was Marco Calvani, playwright, director and actor, known for his involvement in The Four Seasons and You, Me & Tuscany, whose theatrical works have been staged at major venues including the Phoenix Theatre in London, La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York, Teatro di Roma and Théâtre de la Ville in Paris. Also on the jury was Giovanna Nodari, whose television credits include Special Task Stuttgart, Another Monday and All the Way Up, as well as the short film Decent People. Bestselling author Glenn Cooper, whose thrillers have sold more than eight million copies worldwide and been translated into 30 languages, brought a literary perspective to the panel. Giuseppe Bonifati, an actor who has appeared in numerous film and television productions, including projects connected to filmmakers such as Ridley Scott, Michael Mann and Martin Scorsese, added further industry experience, while Nicole Muji, founder of the French Riviera Film Festival in Cannes and an expert in international entertainment PR, completed the lineup.

The ceremony was hosted by Elijah Knight, known for appearances in productions including Miss Fallaci, Unbreak My Heart, The Safe and Prinzessin, who guided the evening through a celebration that made one thing immediately clear: the Movie & Short Festival wants to be more than a showcase for short films. Organized by Dailybloid.com, the festival has positioned itself as a meeting place for new voices, established stars and stories capable of crossing borders and genres. And perhaps the most intriguing part is that this first chapter already points toward the next one.

Registration for the second edition of the festival and its two spin-off events will open in the coming days.

After a debut filled with international stars, memorable performances and a strong selection of filmmakers, the question now is not whether the Movie & Short Festival can grow, but rather which new voices, unexpected performances and breakout films will be the next ones to conquer Locarno.