Lisa Barzaghi takes over from Niccolò Castelli

As of January 1, 2026, Lisa Barzaghi will assume the directorship of the Ticino Film Commission, taking over from Niccolò Castelli.

Taking note of the intention expressed in recent months by the current director, Niccolò Castelli, to embark on a new phase of his professional path, the Foundation Board of the Ticino Film Commission opted for a redistribution of tasks within the current staff, without proceeding with additional hires. The Foundation Board identified the Head of Operations, Lisa Barzaghi, as the most suitable profile and, at its meeting of November 24, 2025, appointed the 38-year-old from Vallemaggia as the new Director of the Ticino Film Commission, with effect from January 1, 2026.

Raised in Lavizzara, after training in the tourism and hospitality sector, Lisa Barzaghi oriented her professional career towards the audiovisual and cultural fields, working for several years at the Locarno Film Festival as Hospitality Manager and at the Eventi Letterari Monte Verità as a coordinator. Since 2021, she has been Head of Operations at the Ticino Film Commission, which she joined in 2017. Since 2024, she has also been co-president of the Switzerland Film Commission, the umbrella association of Swiss Film Commissions.

“I am honoured to take over from Niccolò, under whose direction the Ticino Film Commission has grown significantly in recent years. Challenges are not lacking, starting with that of financial incentives for productions, which are necessary in order to compete on equal terms with the highly competitive European Film Commissions. Nevertheless, today the Ticino Film Commission can face these challenges thanks to the fundamental support of the Canton and the new legal framework approved at the end of 2022 by the Grand Council; it can rely on the tools developed over these years - from regional funds to the fund for the promotion of the Italian language in Swiss cinema -, on new and valuable partners, and not least on the professionalism and commitment of the entire team.”

“To ensure continuity with the great work carried out since its inception by the Ticino Film Commission, the first Film Commission created in Switzerland - underlines President Claudio Franscella - the choice of Lisa Barzaghi seemed the most natural one to us, on the one hand because of her in-depth professional knowledge of the dynamics of filmmaking, developed by following numerous productions over the past seven years, and on the other hand because of the extensive network of contacts she has been able to build both at national level, as evidenced by her role as co-president of the Switzerland Film Commission, and internationally by actively participating in the major professional events of the sector. In her new role as Director, she will be able to rely on a team that enjoys great trust from the Foundation Board and within which tasks will be redistributed under the new set-up. Our heartfelt thanks naturally go to Niccolò Castelli, not only for the commitment shown in his role as Director since 2021, but also for always having been a point of reference for both Lisa and the entire team.”

“I am leaving the directorship of the Ticino Film Commission knowing that the Foundation can rely on a solid structure and a close-knit team - declares Niccolò Castelli - grateful for these almost five years during which I was able to be part of it. I hope I have managed to contribute to the development of a reality, that of filmmaking in our canton, in which I have always believed. I will remain close to the Ticino Film Commission, even though no longer in an operational role.”

At the request of the presidency and of the Board itself, Niccolò Castelli will continue to support the Ticino Film Commission by joining the Foundation Board as of January 2026. The presidency, the Foundation Board, and the entire team of the Ticino Film Commission wish Lisa Barzaghi every success in her new role and extend their deepest thanks to Niccolò Castelli for the work carried out: the impetus given in these years has traced the path on which the Ticino Film Commission now continues its journey.