Film festival pays homage to its late president

Locarno film festival will be dedicated to the memory of Giuseppe Buffi Keystone

This year's Locarno film festival is to be officially dedicated to the memory of its late president, Giuseppe Buffi, who was also head of the cantonal government in Ticino.

The event’s governing board says its four members will share the president’s responsibilities when the festival gets underway on August 2. A successor will be chosen after the event.

Among those attending Buffi’s funeral in Bellinzona on Monday were members of the federal government and representatives of Ticino’s political and cultural scene. The Ticino authorities declared Monday a day of mourning throughout the canton.

Buffi died on the way to hospital after collapsing at the wheel of his car during a visit to Italy. He was 62.

swissinfo with agencies