Imagine entering the belly of the leopard, being behind the scenes and enjoying the other side of the show, the one audiences can't see. Imagine being part of a soon-to-be 73-year old mechanism that is tasked, every summer, with putting on an international show made up of thousands of viewers, hundreds of films, a thousand screenings and countless meetings for professionals. It's also made up of a team, small at first and then huge, working throughout the year to make it all happen. In short, imagine being inside the Locarno Film Festival. Done? Good. Now imagine being able to write its future from there. Not all of it, but you can give advice and feedback, and express the desires of boys and girls who might have a Festival on their minds. That's the Youth Advisory Board, which is getting a full makeover in the spring, just ahead of #Locarno73.

The YAB is part of the Locarno Film Festival, and it consists of four youths aged 18-30, from all over the world, who observe, listen, think and suggest changes to the Festival. Is there something missing, or is there too much of something? What could benefit from a boost? What should be reassessed? All topics are free to discuss, without restrictions. For the members of the YAB, the Locarno Film Festival is a show with full backstage access. 

if you're aged between 18 and 30, speak English and think you can make your voice heard as part of a team, this is the email address for applications, and here are the guidelines for applying. In doing so, you will find out the perks of the YAB are far from over...

The call for entries for the 2020-2022 YAB is open until March 1, 2020.