Shah Rukh Khan: To be honoured at Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland

APP: Shah Rukh Khan, 58, will receive the award on Saturday. The festival’s artistic director, Giona A. Nazzaro, praised Khan for his unprecedented contributions to Indian cinema and his enduring connection with audiences.

The Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, one of the world’s longest-running annual film festivals, opens on Wednesday and will honor Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan with the Pardo alla Carriera award for redefining cinema.

“The extent and diversity of his contributions to Indian cinema are unparalleled,” said the festival’s artistic director, Giona A. Nazzaro. ” Shah Rukh Khan is a king who has always stayed connected with the audience that adores him. This courageous and innovative artist has consistently pushed his boundaries.”

The festival, founded in 1946, focuses on auteur cinema and features screenings in Locarno’s central square, Piazza Grande, which can hold up to 8,000 moviegoers.

The 77th Locarno Film Festival, running until August 17, will showcase 225 films, including 104 world premieres and 15 debut movies. The top prize, the Golden Leopard, includes a prize fund of 75,000 Swiss francs ($87,400) and will feature entries from Lithuania, France, Austria, Italy, and South Korea.

Other honorees include New Zealand’s Jane Campion, receiving the Leopard of Honour; Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award; and French-Swiss actress Irene Jacob, receiving the Leopard Club Award.

US film producer Stacey Sher will receive the Raimondo Rezzonico Award for her achievements in international movie production.

Last year’s festival attracted nearly 150,000 attendees.

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