Locarno fest adds cash, prize

ROME -- The Locarno Film Festival is beefing-up its Filmmakers of the Present competition with more cash and a new nod for best emerging helmer. Filmmakers of the Present, which runs parallel to the main competition of the indie-friendly Swiss fest, is introducing the emerging director award, worth 20,000 Swiss Francs ($22,000). Concurrently, section's main prize, the Filmmakers of the Present Golden Pard, is being upped to $44,000 from $33,000. About 15 feature-length works, including docus, will compete. The 65th edition of Locarno will be held Aug. 1-11 Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com