Cineuropa was granted access to nine promising projects showcased in Alliance 4 Development (A4D, 7-12 August), Locarno Pro’s co-development programme for films from Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Below we detail more about each of them.

The Flowering of a Chimera – Simon Maria Kubiena (Austria)
The film follows 18-year-old Jakob, who, after a traumatic event, drops out of school to work in a pesticide factory near Vienna. As his family grows distant, he forms a bond with his older colleague Marius. Their connection compels Jakob to face the past he’s been trying to suppress.

“The Flowering of a Chimera is a subtle, intimate story of healing between two men across generations, exploring masculinity, vulnerability and the silence around sexualised violence among young men. We’re currently working on the sixth draft, and are seeking co-producers, broadcasters and world sales agents,” says the director. Chimera Film is producing with ZDF.

Dark Chocolate – Valentin Merz (Switzerland)
“With this film, I want to tell an autobiographically inspired story set in contemporary Switzerland, where the longing for belonging collides with class tensions,” explains Merz. “Through the character of Sadek, a Tunisian praline supplier working in a chocolate factory, who is drawn into the uncanny world of the factory owners, Jean-Charles and Sophie Perret, I aim to create a moving yet unsettling portrait of a young man at a time when our world seems to be coming apart at the seams.”

“We’re seeking a co-producer from France or Germany, but also from countries outside A4D, a world sales partner, and broadcasters interested in socially engaged, auteur-driven cinema with queer perspectives,” producer Michela Pini adds.

Filming is set for late spring/summer 2026. Developed by Andreafilm, the film will be produced by Cinédokké.

Primo viaggio by Alessandro Cassigoli and Casey Kauffman (© Sacher Film)

Primo viaggio – Alessandro Cassigoli, Casey Kauffman (Italy)
This drama centres on Carlo, a 22-year-old from Naples who agrees to smuggle drugs from Spain for a free trip to Malaga. There, unexpected encounters with his handlers and a young French woman trigger doubts about his choices.

Benedetta Barroero and Nanni Moretti are producing for Sacher Film. “We decided to apply to A4D because the film was naturally born as a co-production. We’re now focused on finding the right partners to accompany us from the development phase in creating a universal film. This is a great opportunity to seek ideal co-producers and establish creative synergy. We’re also looking for international distributors to strengthen our foundation,” says Barroero.

The project is expected to shoot between May and August 2026, with backing from RAI.

In the Hidden – Goran Rebić (Austria/Luxembourg/Slovakia)
Based on a true story, the film follows Eva, a Social Democratic activist whose life is upended by Austria’s civil war and the rise of fascism. She shelters the persecuted while navigating love, loss and resistance over three decades.

“We’re at an advanced stage of financing and are looking for co-producers to close the remaining funding. We also want to explore the international interest and distribution potential of this project,” the team discloses. Amour Fou Vienna, Amour Fou Luxembourg and PubRes are producing.

Snow by Jenna Hasse

Snow – Jenna Hasse (Switzerland)
Set in a snowless luxury hotel in Zermatt at Christmas, the story follows Alma, a pianist in crisis. Amidst fake festivities, her encounters lead her back to herself and her music.

“My work deals with absence and what it reveals about us. With Snow, I explore life in a luxury alpine hotel where there is no snow. This absence is also a metaphor for Alma’s crisis as a woman and artist in her thirties,” says Hasse. Lang Film is producing.

How to Walk on Water – Sofía Ayala (Germany/France)
Still in early development, the story centres on 14-year-old Ilse, who trains to walk on water like her wealthy classmates while on a fragile family holiday – unaware of the painful cost her new skill carries with it.

“The film explores a teenage girl’s bond with her father, reflecting Mexican social structures shaped by class, race and colonial legacies. Who wouldn’t want to walk on water – but at what cost? The project will be developed further at EAVE Puentes, aiming to start financing by year’s end. Sofía Ayala and I are presenting it at Locarno, seeking sales agents, German and French distributors, and co-producers from Latin countries like Mexico and Spain,” says producer Maritza Grass. Carousel Film and Wrong Films are co-producing.

Love and Rebellion – Sarah Miro Fischer (Germany)
Eighteen-year-old Lila travels to Colombia to reconnect with her estranged mother, a former guerrilla she once saw as a revolutionary icon. Instead, she finds a quiet woman preparing for marriage, forcing Lila to rethink her ideals.

“This film is, in a way, a case for not giving up – whether on changing the world or on simply connecting as human beings, without the layers of desire, expectation or fear,” says Fischer. “We’ll likely fall short, at least in part. But if that stops us from trying, what’s left?”

The project, staged by unafilm, is seeking distributors, broadcasters and co-producers.

The Dress Behind the Wall by Orkhan Aghazadeh (© Kidam)

The Dress Behind the Wall – Orkhan Aghazadeh (France)
This multiple portrait of lonely souls in Baku features Rasim, forced to dance dressed as a woman for the mob; Nargis, a vengeful single mother; and Murad, a teen organising rooster fights and burdened by family woes.

“The Dress Behind the Wall intends to be one of those rare films from the region which incorporates elements of dark humour and absurdism while reflecting the harsh complexities of personal struggles,” the helmer discloses. “The film also tackles the taboo issues of masculinity, conservatism and female subjugation that are always overlooked in the films of the country and the region.”

The team, led by Kidam, is looking for co-producers and distribution partners.

Najma and Salomé – Anne Zinn-Justin (France)
Salomé, a nurse, lives quietly with her daughter until a patient’s mysterious death is ruled an accident. Her other daughter, Najma, a PhD student, suspects foul play and urges Salomé to blow the lid off an environmental cover-up tied to the local economy.

“Najma and Salomé is a thriller about pollution and cover-ups, but mostly about two women who find strength in each other – confronting what others would rather ignore,” explains Zinn-Justin. “I chose the thriller form to reflect the tension and urgency of today’s ecological issues. Yet, I hold on to one conviction: there is still hope, as long as we join forces.”

So-cle is producing and is seeking European co-producers, distributors and sales agents.