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Zoe Saldaña to Receive Locarno Fest Special Honor
Zoe Saldaña will receive the Special Pardo, also known as the Special Leopard, at the 2026 Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. The honour recognises her screen career and adds to the festival’s high-profile programme, underlining Locarno’s role as a major international showcase for cinema.
Saldaña will accept the award during a public conversation on 10 August, during the festival’s 79th edition, which runs from 5 to 15 August. Italian composer Claudio Simonetti will also be honoured on 6 August, while attendees are expected to include Olivia Wilde, Monica Bellucci, Isabelle Huppert, James Gray, Darren Aronofsky and Isabella Rossellini.
In short
- Zoe Saldaña will receive Locarno’s Special Pardo award.
- She will appear in a public conversation on 10 August.
- Locarno’s 79th festival runs from 5 to 15 August.
Explained simply
The Locarno Film Festival is a major international cinema event held each year in Switzerland. It is recognised as one of the world's most significant platforms for film and filmmaking talent.
The Special Pardo, also known as the Special Leopard, is an honour given by the festival to recognise outstanding contributions to film. Unlike the festival's main competition awards, it acknowledges significant artistic achievement or career importance.
Zoe Saldaña is an American actress whose extensive film career has made her a prominent figure in international cinema. The award reflects the prestige of recognition from one of the world's major film festivals.
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