The Castellinaria – Young Film Festival Committee announces the appointment of Erik Bernasconi as the festival's new Artistic Director, taking over from Giancarlo Zappoli after 28 years at the helm of the event.
Originally from Bellinzona, Bernasconi is a rare figure in the Italian-speaking Swiss film scene: a director, screenwriter and lecturer in film directing at CISA in Locarno, he has in-depth knowledge of the local, cantonal, federal and international film scene and is involved in film policy in various forums.
His filmography ranges from the feature film Sinestesia (Solothurn 2010, three Quartz nominations) to the documentary Moka Noir (Rome Film Festival 2019) and the 2023 TV series Alter Ego for SRG. His most recent work, Becàària – an adaptation of Giorgio Genetelli's novel set in Ticino in the 1970s – won the Prix du public at the Solothurn Film Festival 2026, confirming his ability to touch a wide audience with stories rooted in the local area.
His relationship with Castellinaria is long and complex: for years he has been the coordinator of the Young jury and the animator of Cinema & Youth, roles that have allowed him to build a privileged relationship with young audiences and to get to know the festival from the inside.
‘I am delighted to be able to contribute to the future development of Castellinaria, in dialogue with the Association's committee, the presidency, the operational management, the collaborators, the public and all the people who make our Festival possible. I will put all my commitment and enthusiasm into keeping Castellinaria young,’ said Bernasconi.
The Committee and management would like to thank Giancarlo Zappoli for his extraordinary contribution and enthusiastically welcome the new artistic director, confident that he will lead Castellinaria to new heights in its 39th edition and beyond.
