Locarno, Switzerland: Actor Zoe Saldaña will receive the Special Pardo (Special Leopard) award at the 79th Locarno Film Festival, where she will also take part in a public conversation on 10 August, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The festival organisers announced that Saldaña, known for her performances in 'Guardians of the Galaxy', 'Emilia Pérez' and 'Lioness', will receive the honour during this year's festival, which runs from 5 August to 15 August in Switzerland.
Italian musician Claudio Simonetti, best known for composing the scores for cult horror films such as 'Suspiria' and 'Dawn of the Dead', will also be recognised at the festival.
The Goblin keyboardist will receive a special honour on 6 August for his contribution to film music ahead of a screening of Cut and Run (Inferno in diretta).
Festival organisers said Simonetti is being honoured "for his legendary contribution to music in film".
The Swiss festival will also welcome several international stars attending the premieres of their latest films.
Among those expected are Olivia Wilde for The Invite, Monica Bellucci for 'Ketticè', Isabelle Huppert for 'Ni vue, ni connue', Claes Bang and Valerie Pachner for 'I Is Another', Caleb Landry Jones for 'Down the Arm of God', Kingsley Ben-Adir and Rob Morgan for 'Frank & Louis', Anders Danielsen Lie, Kathrine Thorborg Johansen and Simon Sears for 'Brave New Love', Ingrid Caven for 'Sixteen Moments of My Life', and Theo Rossi for 'Bruton', according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The festival has previously announced a series of honorary awards for the 2026 edition, including honours for filmmaker James Gray, director Darren Aronofsky, Belgian actor Virginie Efira, special effects artist Rick Baker, producer Sigurjon "Joni" Sighvatsson, and actors Asia Argento and Isabella Rossellini.
Other guests expected at the festival include Sandrine Kiberlain, Valerio Mastandrea, Emmanuelle Devos, Kim Minhee, Giulia Maenza, Alessandro Haber and Sara Serraiocco.
The 79th Locarno Film Festival will be held in Switzerland from 5 August to 15 August.