UNICA.MOVIE
2026 Lugano

 
Non-commercial Film Competition between Nations  & international Congress
Union of Cinema - UNiCA

Members are national organizations that represent the filmmakers of their country
The  UNiCA  was founded in  1937  in Paris and is a member of the  ClCT  at UNESCO


1) Timeline / Updates


2) Booking en/de/fr


3) Programme Version 1.3

 

4) Jury


5) Location

6) Travel Info
    

7) Special Events


8) Accommodation


9) Media / Credits / Contact


Last update
15.11.2025

Massagno * Lugano * Ticino * Switzerland

International Congress

30 August - 4 September 2026

86th

non-commercial

Film Competition
between Nations 
  

Welcome to the Lugano Region - what participants can expect


NOTE - en

This Website is

in English only, but all PDF Documents are in English, German and French.


TIP- For more Information, always click on blue Text,
Photo or Bar.

Automatic translation
Almost all browsers offer the possibility to translate the
English text into your language.
Please use this option
if you wish.

 

HINWEIS - de

Diese Website ist

nur auf Englisch, aber alle PDF Dokumente sind auf Englisch, Deutsch und Französisch.

TIPP - Für weitere Informationen, immer auf den blauen Text,
Foto oder Balken klicken.


Automatische Übersetzung
Fast alle Browser bieten die Möglichkeit, den englischen Text

in Ihre Sprache zu übersetzen. Bitte nutzen Sie diese Option, wenn Sie dies wünschen.

 


REMARQUE - fr

Ce site web est
uniquement en anglais, mais tous les documents PDF sont en anglais, allemand et français.


CONSEIL - Pour plus d'informations, cliquez toujours sur le texte bleu, la photo ou la barre.

Traduction automatique

Presque tous les navigateurs offrent la possibilité de traduire
le texte anglais dans votre langue.Veuillez utiliser cette option si vous le souhaitez.

 

25 countries with almost as many languages

The Public Jury Session and the General Assembly will be translated via headphones
this year from German into English and French by our skilled translators. 
  

1) Timeline & Updates

Since 1 November 2025 - Hotel (& TicinoTicket) -> more

  • The earlier you book accommodation, the greater your choice

1 to 31 March 2026 - Film registration open for the Data Manager of each country

  • Film submission opens only in April 2026 by country's Data Manager

From April 2026 - FILM Programme online 

  • ... Films - SYNOPSIS by Projection Order
  • ... Films - FOTO INDEX World Minute Movie Cup

1 May to 30 June 2026 - Booking open for participants in en/de/fr

  • UNiCA PASS and Special Events for participants
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2) Booking options

-> The prices will be determined on 15 April 2026, following negotiations with the service providers

Payment will be possible in both euros and Swiss francs.



UNiCA PASS - you should have one

  • With your contribution, you are supporting the cinema rental. You will receive your badge, a lanyard, the printed programme, 2 drinks and even more.  EUR 00 / CHF 00 

  • Formerly known as a "Congress Card"

Discover & enjoy Lugano YOURSELF

  • Lugano, the small town on the lake with its distinctive Italian flair, is best explored on foot, as the distances between the various sights are very short.   Free of charge

  • Information at the Welcome Desk. - more

      

EVENT 1 - Meet UNiCA PASS Holders

  • Another year has passed since we last met, and I'm sure there's lots to talk about again, ideally in a gorgeous setting after a short train ride.   EUR 00  / CHF 00 

  • Sunday 30 August, from 14.00 to 17.00.

EVENT 2 - Dinner in the Grotto

  • The awards have been presented, the tension has eased, now it's time to celebrate our shared passion with international friends.  EUR 00 / CHF 00

  • Thursday 3 September, from 19:30 to 22:00.

HOTEL - Accommodation

  • Given the countless possibilities, we cordially invite you to choose your accommodation yourself, determine the duration and book directly.  -> more

  • e.g. from Saturday, 29.8. to Sunday 6.9.2026.

Ticino Ticket - (free, ask at your Hotel)

  • Stay in hotels, youth hostels and campsites and receive a free Ticino Ticket to explore Switzerland's southernmost canton.  -> more


  • Valid during your accommodation stay.

     

EVENT 3 - Discovery Culture & Lake

  • We travel by train and other means of transport (with Ticino Ticket), discovering and enjoying the beauty of southern Switzerland together.  EUR 00 / CHF 00
     

  • Friday 4 September, from 10:00 to 18:00.

EVENT 4 - Farewell, San Salvatore

  • Together we take the cable car up Monte San Salvatore and enjoy a Ticino-style dinner in the mountain restaurant with its unique view.  EUR 00 / CHF 00

  • Friday 4 September, from 19:00 to 22:00.


You enter your details, receive an overview for checking, and then send us your booking, one for each person.

We will immediately send you a confirmation of receipt by e-mail and our bank details for transferring the amount due before the end of July 2026.


- Online Booking in english -> here

Book here online 

Will be available
from 1 May to 30 June 2026

 

Sie geben ihre Daten ein, erhalten eine Übersicht zur Kontrolle, und senden danach ihre Buchung, eine für jede Person, an uns.

Von uns erhalten sie via e-Mail unverzüglich eine Empfangsbestätigung und unsere Bankdaten zum Überweisen des geschuldeten Betrages vor Ende Juli 2026.


- Online-Buchung auf deutsch -> hier

 

Vous saisissez vos données, recevez un récapitulatif à vérifier, puis nous envoyez votre réservation, une par personne.
Nous vous envoyons immédiatement par e-mail un accusé de réception et nos coordonnées bancaires afin que vous puissiez régler le montant dû avant fin juillet 2026.


-Réservation en ligne en français -> ici


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3) Programme

Programme at a Glance  - Version 1.3

Online programme information


READY AS OF 1 AUGUST 2026

https://unica1937.org/mobile/en/

xx Films - SYNOPSIS by Projection Order - update xx
INDEX - xx Films & xx WMMC - Print Version - update xx
xx Films - FOTO INDEX World Minute Movie Cup - ONLINE
WMMC: 16 Contestants
BOOKLET / Catalogue - A4 color xx pages (PDF xx MB)

The Android & Apple IOS APP
made by Tini Schuurmans

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4) Jury

The public Jury Session will be held in German, with simultaneous Translation into English and French.

The
international

members

Thomas SCHAUER

Member & Coordinator

C.V. - PDF en/de/fr

  

Julia Wack

Member

C.V. - PDF en/de/fr

 

Day Juror
(audience voice)
3 different Day Guests
without Voting Rights

Sandor Buglya

Member

C.V. - PDF en/de/fr

 

Arjan van GELDEREN

Member

C.V. - PDF en/de/fr

 

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Cinema "Cine Lux - Art House " [273 Seats]

5) Location

Cinema CINE LUX Art House

Via G. Motta 67 6900 Massagno
Lugano Ticino Switzerland
-> more

 

Personalise your Route to the Cinema ‘Cine Lux’ here with   ->  Google Map 

 

Grotto Valletta

is a cornerstone Restaurant of
Lugano's culinary scene

-> more


LUNCH plate of the day

Special offer for UNiCA participants


  • Monday: ...
     
  • Tuesday: ...
     
  • Wednesday: ...

  • Thursday: ...
     

Picnic Corner

behind the Cinema

courtesy of Grotto Valletta

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6) Travel Info

In Lugano, I take
the local public transport

Free of charge with your Ticino Ticket


Most hotels are only 5 to 15 minutes by TPL BUS from the cinema CINE LUX Massagno.
   

I'm coming by Plane

Closest and most affordable to Lugano



  The Swiss airports


From all airports, but also from home,

you can travel directly to Lugano by Train

I'm coming by Car

  • via San Gottardo
  • via San Bernardino


    I'm coming by Bus

    CINE LUX
    STATION
    CITY CENTER
    LAC MUSEUM
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    Welcome DESK


    Open
    Sunday, 30 August 2026,
    from 9:00 to 14:00
    in the lobby of the
    Hotel Acquarello,
    Piazza Cioccaro 9, 6900Lugano -> google.map


    And from Sunday 19:00 at the box office
    of the CINE LUX cinema, Massagno

    Hotel Acquarello ***

    It is ideally located between the city centre of Lugano (restaurants/lake/shops),
    the railway station and
    the festival cinema (Cine Lux)

    in Massagno by Bus 5.


    Direct link
    to Hotel Acquarello
    - in english

        First come, first served

    - in deutsch

        Wer zuerst kommt, mahlt zuerst

    - en français

        Premier arrivé, premier servi

    - in italiano

        Primo arrivato, primo servito


    How do I get to the Hotel Acquarello?

    -> click on one of the 4 rectangles


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    7) Special Events will be available here as PDF documents in English, French and German from 15 April.

    EVENT 1
    EVENT 4
    EVENT 3
    EVENT 2
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    8) Accommodation

    Home away from Home


    You are invited,
    in view of the countless possibilities, to choose and book your accommodation directly yourself.


    Travelling to Ticino, inspire me. -> more


    The Lugano Region (Tourism Office) has a wide range of hotels. Find the hotel of your choice. -> more


    Important: Ask whether the Ticino Ticket for free travel on public transport in Ticino is included. -> more


    Our selection of reasonably priced hotels

    on TPL BUS route 5 -> more


    The journey to the cinema takes 15 to 25 minutes by bus [STOP PRACCIO].

    Buses run every 10 minutes and are free with the Ticino Ticket.


    Go to the hotel website of your choice by clicking on the corresponding photo.


    Hotel Acquarello (UNiCA desk)

    Hotel Acquarello (UNiCA desk)

    Hotel Pestalozzi

    Hotel Pestalozzi

    Hotel Ceresio

    Hotel Ceresio

    Hotel Vezia (free car park)

    Hotel Vezia (free car park)

    Our selection of reasonably priced hotels

    on TPL BUS route 4 -> more and 5 -> more


    The journey to the cinema takes 15 to 25 minutes by bus [STOP PRACCIO].

    Buses run every 10 minutes and are free with the Ticino Ticket.


    Go to the hotel website of your choice by clicking on the corresponding photo.


    Hotel Besso

    Hotel Besso

    Hotel Montarina (Hostel)

    Hotel Montarina (Hostel)

    Continental Parkhotel

    Continental Parkhotel

    Hotel Colorado

    Hotel Colorado

    Search for hotels or places using the map by clicking on the photo below.


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    9a)   Media

    80 years
    have passed

    since the first and still only
    UNiCA Film Festival in Lugano,
    which took place in 1946 after
    the Second World War.


    Vincenzo Vicari
    was one of the two organisers responsible at the time.

    -> more


    CHE 1946 Lugano
    The event went off brilliantly and with great camaraderie.
    Switzerland, Film Amateurs and especially the Lugano Club, under
    the leadership of Messrs Wullschleger and Vicari, deserve our warmest thanks.   signed E. Weissenberger, interim Secretary General

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    9b)   Credits

    UNiCA 2026
    is organised by 

    the members of the

    UNiCA executive committee


    in collaboration with the
    national umbrella organisation

    swiss.movie 

    and
    under the Patronage of

    UNiCA - Union
    Internationale du Cinéma

    founded 1937 in Paris

    5N1A3497_edited Das neugewählte Unica Kommitee___serialized1

    Persons responsible for the Organisation (OC)


    Rolf Leuenberger

    Rolf Leuenberger

    OC & UNiCA President

    Thomas Kräuchi

    Thomas Kräuchi

    OC & UNiCA Treasurer

    Sydney Allanson

    Sydney Allanson

    swiss.movie President

    Pia Kalachoff

    Pia Kalachoff

    swiss.movie Vice President

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    9c)   Contact

    Information Request Form


    FRA - Formulaire de demande d'informations

    DEU - Formular für Informationsanfragen


    CINE LUX -> Google Map


     
     
     
     
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    UNiCA Committee