Instinct by Halina Reijn wins Variety Piazza Grande Award at Locarno Fest

Instinct, Dutch director Halina Reijn’s debut feature has won the Variety Piazza Grande Award at the Locarno International Film Festival. The prize is awarded by a jury of several of the American paper's critics attending Locarno to a film that stands out for both its artistic qualities and potential for theatrical release.

Instinct, Dutch director Halina Reijn’s debut feature has won the Variety Piazza Grande Award at the Locarno International Film Festival. The prize is awarded by a jury of several of the American paper's critics attending Locarno to a film that stands out for both its artistic qualities and potential for theatrical release.

Besides the Variety Piazza Grande Award, Instinct has also received a Special Mention from the Best First Feature jury.

Instinct celebrated its world premiere at the festival in Switzerland on Monday. The film is also selected for the upcoming edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where its North-American premiere is presented in TIFF’s Contemporary World Cinema-programme.

Starring Carice van Houten (Brimstone, Game of Thrones) and Marwan Kenzari (Wolf, Aladdin), Instinct is a psychological thriller about an experienced psychologist working in a penal institution who becomes obsessed with a sex offender who appears to be ready to return to society. The film is produced by Topkapi Films in co-production with Man Up and BNNVARA, and supported by the Netherlands Film Fund. International sales are handled by Films Boutique.

The 72nd Locarno Film Festival wraps up with the awards ceremony tonight at 21h (local time).