“Becaària” by Ticino filmmaker Erik Bernasconi wins the Audience Award at the Solothurn Film Days

At the event dedicated to Swiss cinema, recognition also for “Nessuno vi farà del male” by Dino Hodic. The short films “Cherubs” and “Rösli” nominated for the Quartz Awards.

Becaària has won the Prix du Public at the 61st edition of the Solothurn Film Days. The new film by Bellinzona-born director Erik Bernasconi won over audiences at the most important event dedicated to Swiss cinema, where it was presented in its world premiere.

Based on the novel by Giorgio Genetelli published by Gabriele Capelli Editore, the film tells the coming-of-age story of Mario (played by Francesco Tozzi), a sixteen-year-old who, after failing a school year, is sent by his father to work in the mountains for a summer. Shot in Vallemaggia after the tragic floods of summer 2024, Becaària is produced by Cinédokké of Savosa with Basel-based Cineworx, RSI, SRG SSR and Arte, and is supported by the Ticino Film Commission.

Among the films supported by the Ticino Film Commission that received awards in Solothurn is also No one will hurt you by Dino Hodic (Fiumi Film, RSI), which won the Visioni Award. Thirty years after the Srebrenica massacre, the documentary follows the director, who moved to and grew up in Ticino, on a journey in search of his roots and identity.

As part of the 61st Solothurn Film Days, the nominations for the Quartz Awards, the Swiss Film Awards, were also announced. Competing for Best Short Film are also “Cherubs”, the directorial debut of actress Anna Pieri Zuercher and Ticino cinematographer Pietro Zuercher, produced by Cinédokké, Orisono and RSI, and “Rösli” by Ticino filmmaker Valentina Shasivari.