Key Points:

• Locarno Film Festival has announced the official lineup for its 79th edition.
• The festival will take place from August 5 to August 15, 2026, in Switzerland.
• A total of 223 films, including 103 world premieres, will be screened.
• The International Competition includes new films by Hong Sangsoo, Nelson Yeo, Denis Côté and several other acclaimed directors.
• New works by Albert Serra, Olivia Wilde, James Gray and Peter Brunner are also part of the festival programme.
• Organisers received a record 7,759 submissions, representing productions from 69 countries

LAHORE – The Locarno International Film Festival has unveiled the official lineup for its 79th edition. The festival will run in Locarno, Switzerland, from August 5 to August 15, 2026.

This year’s programme features 223 films from around the world, including 103 world premieres. Established filmmakers and emerging talent will present their work across competition and non-competition sections.

International Competition features acclaimed filmmakers

The International Competition includes the latest film by South Korean director Hong Sangsoo. Singapore’s Nelson Yeo, Canada’s Denis Côté, Portugal’s Edgar Pêra and Senegal’s Mamadou Dia will also compete with new projects. Spanish filmmaker Albert Serra will screen his latest feature in the Out of Competition section.

Festival organisers said productions and co-productions from 69 countries are part of this year’s programme. The wide international representation makes this one of the festival’s most diverse editions.

Record submissions for 2026 edition

Organisers received a record 7,759 submissions, almost 22 per cent more than last year. The final selection includes 223 films, four more than the previous edition. Women directed 25 per cent of this year’s feature films. Female filmmakers also directed five of the 17 films competing in the International Competition.

Piazza Grande to host major premieres

The Piazza Grande section will once again host evening screenings in Locarno’s famous open-air square, which can accommodate around 8,000 people. The programme includes The Invite by Olivia Wilde, Paper Tiger by James Gray, Down the Arm of God by Peter Brunner and All About Corinne by Marc Fitoussi.

Artistic director highlights this year’s vision

Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro described the programme as an adventurous selection that explores today’s challenges while celebrating strong storytelling and cinematic innovation. The Locarno Film Festival remains one of Europe’s oldest and most respected film festivals. It continues to showcase independent and international cinema while premiering new films from leading directors.

Key points: 

• Religious Ruling: Prominent scholar Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani issued a fatwa declaring digital currency trading impermissible (haram). 

• Broad Scope: The Mufti Taqi Usmani crypto fatwa covers all digital assets, including standard cryptocurrencies, tokens, and stablecoins like USDT. 

• Legal Definition: According to the decree, digital currencies do not meet the foundational Islamic criteria to be classified as real wealth or property. 

• Market Influence: Although the ruling is a religious opinion rather than a state law, it will likely impact Muslim investors across Pakistan. 

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s leading Islamic scholar, Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, has issued a definitive religious decree regarding digital asset trading. Published by scholars affiliated with Darul Uloom Karachi, the formal declaration clarifies that cryptocurrency operations are impermissible under Islamic jurisprudence. Therefore, practicing Muslims are advised to avoid buying, selling, or investing in these virtual markets. 

The ruling takes a strict stance on the fundamental nature of decentralized digital networks. Specifically, the decree concludes that digital assets lack physical backing, intrinsic utility, or state authorization. For this reason, they fail to meet the Islamic legal definition of true wealth (mal). Consequently, any financial transactions involving these assets are considered void from a religious perspective.

Total Ban Covers Tokens and Stablecoins 

Furthermore, the declaration stresses that changing the names or branding of digital assets does not alter their religious status. The Mufti Taqi Usmani crypto fatwa explicitly groups all virtual assets into a single financial category. This means the restriction applies uniformly across the entire Web3 ecosystem. 

“Cryptocurrency is known by different names, including virtual currency, token, and stablecoin. In all these forms, cryptocurrency is not considered wealth, and therefore it is not permissible,” the official statement clarifies. 

As a result, the scope of this fatwa extends far beyond mainstream decentralized coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It explicitly restricts the use of blockchain-based utility tokens and dollar-pegged stablecoins such as Tether (USDT). 

Overview of the Religious Decree 

Institutional Backing and Public Impact 

The formal document carries multiple official endorsements from respected senior scholars at Darul Uloom Karachi. While this fatwa functions strictly as a religious guidance framework rather than a government-enforced law, its societal impact remains massive. 

Because Mufti Taqi Usmani is highly respected globally in Islamic banking and finance circles, his opinions carry immense weight. Consequently, this declaration is expected to significantly shape public sentiment and curb crypto adoption rates among retail investors in Pakistan. 

What is the main message of the Mufti Taqi Usmani crypto fatwa? 

The fatwa states that cryptocurrency trading is impermissible (haram) under Islamic law because digital currencies do not qualify as real wealth or property. 

Does this ruling also apply to stablecoins like USDT? 

Yes. The decree explicitly mentions stablecoins and tokens, stating that changing the terminology or tying a coin to a fiat currency does not change its religious ruling. 

Is cryptocurrency now illegal in Pakistan because of this fatwa? 

No. A fatwa is a formal religious opinion and legal advisory for Muslims. It is not a state law enacted by the government of Pakistan, though it strongly influences public financial choices. 

 Read More : Saheefa Jabbar Khattak’s latest look sparks debate on social media. 

Key points:

• Obsession star Navarrette has said she would be willing to join a Marvel film if offered the opportunity.
• The actor has reportedly met with X-Men reboot director Jake Schreier and Heat 2 director Michael Mann.
• Obsession has earned more than $400 million at the global box office, boosting Navarrette’s profile in Hollywood.
• Her next film, Invertigo, has completed filming and is currently in post-production.
• Navarrette said she prefers Obsession to remain a standalone film but is open to returning if a sequel moves forward.

ISLAMABAD – Obsession star Navarrette has expressed interest in joining the Marvel Studios franchise following the commercial success of the horror film, which has surpassed $400 million at the global box office.

In an interview with Nylon, the 25-year-old actor said she would be open to appearing in a Marvel production when asked about the possibility.

“I would,” she said.

The comments come amid reports that Navarrette has met with Jake Schreier, who is directing Marvel’s upcoming X-Men reboot, fuelling speculation about a potential role in the superhero franchise.

What do sources in the industry say?

According to industry reports, the actor has also met with acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann, who is currently assembling the cast for Heat 2, the sequel to his 1995 crime drama Heat.

Discussing filmmakers she hopes to collaborate with in the future, Navarrette named Schreier and Mann alongside Ryan Coogler, known for Sinners, and Greta Gerwig, who directed Barbie.

What’s Navarrette’s next project?

Her next project is Invertigo, directed by Matthias Hoene. The survival thriller follows a group of teenagers who become trapped hundreds of feet above the ground on a roller coaster after sneaking onto the ride before its official opening.

Navarrette also addressed the possibility of an Obsession 2. While filmmaker Curry Barker has previously said he has ideas for a sequel, the actor said she believes the original film works well as a standalone story.

She suggested that Barker’s idea for an anthology series, with each instalment centred on a different wish, would be an interesting direction for the franchise.

Navarrette added that although she would be willing to return for a sequel, she appreciates stories that have a clear beginning and ending, comparing the film to a distinct memory from a particular stage of life.

Reflecting on her rapid rise in Hollywood, the actor said she remains determined to make the most of every opportunity despite a demanding schedule.

“I don’t care how much I’m not sleeping, because I don’t know if I’ll get this opportunity again,” she said, adding that she hopes to prove the success of Obsession was more than a one-time achievement.