Don't Let the Sun
Don't Let the Sun is 2025 Swiss-Italian science fiction drama film co–written and directed by Jacqueline Zünd. The film starring Levan Gelbakhiani, is a tender drama about the fragility of human relationships.
The film had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 9 August 2025, in the Filmmakers of the Present Competition section, where it competed for Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present
Synopsis
A subtle dystopian tale unfolds in an oppressively hot environment, where emotional connection is as rare. In a world eerily similar to our own, Jonah is employed by a company that sells simulated relationships. When he's assigned the role of father to a young woman named Nika, the carefully constructed order of his life begins to unravel.Cast
- Levan Gelbakhiani as Jonah
- Maria Pia Pepe as Nika
- Agnese Claisse as Cleo
- Karidja Touré as Ana
- Cecilia Bertozzi
Production
The film won 'Goes to Cannes' Award in May 2024, the prize organized by Marché du Film spotlights work-in-progress projects, and guarantees a €10,000 minimum for international sales. It is sponsored by Sideral, a Spain-based studio. The film was also part of five-title selection curated by the Solothurn Film Festival, included among 35 in-progress projects spotlighted at 2024 Cannes Film Festival through Seven Goes To Showcases. These showcases were coordinated by the Marché du Film in collaboration with the Adelaide, Queer Screen – Mardi Gras Film Festival, Solothurn Goes to Cannes, Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards, and Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. Additional presentations were made by the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum and Ventana Sur.Release
Don't Let the Sun had its world premiere in the 'Filmmakers of the Present Competition' section of the 78th Locarno Film Festival on 9 August 2025, vying for the Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present. It was also presented in the World Cinema section at the 30th Busan International Film Festival on 20 September 2025. It was also screened in International Perspective at the São Paulo International Film Festival on 20 October 2025.It competed in Film Forward Competition section at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in November 2025.
It will also run for Audience Award in Panorama Feature Film at the Solothurn Film Festival on 24 January 2026.
The film is slated to release in Swiss cinemas on 19 March 2026 by Filmcoopi.
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | |
| Locarno Film Festival | 16 August 2025 | Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present | Don't Let the Sun | Nomitated | |
| Locarno Film Festival | 16 August 2025 | Pardo for Best Performance | Levan Gelbakhiani | Won | |
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