Emma Thompson accepted Locarno’s Leopard Club Award on the Piazza Grande and surprised the crowd by delivering her speech entirely in Italian, drawing a sustained ovation in the open-air square. Festival posts highlighted the moment and shared a video of the address, which took place on Friday night as part of Locarno78.
The tribute coincided with the world premiere of The Dead of Winter, in which Thompson stars; organizers had announced in June that she would be honored during this year’s edition. The Leopard Club Award recognizes figures whose work has left a lasting imprint on audiences, and Thompson’s acceptance capped an evening that paired ceremony with a major Piazza screening.
Attendance was heavy on the square, a signature venue that can accommodate as many as 8,000 spectators; the festival frequently promotes the Piazza’s stature as one of the world’s largest outdoor cinemas. Local coverage noted that some ticket holders were unable to enter due to capacity limits, underscoring demand for the event.
Thompson, a two-time Academy Award winner, is widely cited as the only person to have earned Oscars for both acting and screenwriting, for Howards End and Sense and Sensibility. The Locarno honor adds to a career that spans stage, television, and films ranging from literary drama to studio franchises.
Beyond the ceremony, Thompson engaged with festivalgoers in a public conversation, while The Dead of Winter continues its rollout ahead of a planned U.S. theatrical release in late September. The festival’s social channels and program highlighted her participation across the weekend as Locarno’s nightly Piazza presentations drew large crowds under clear summer skies.
