‘The Days Off’ Trailer Released Before Locarno 2026 Premiere

The first trailer for The Days Off (Los Días Libres), the latest feature from Argentine filmmaker Lucila Mariani, has arrived ahead of the film’s world premiere at the 2026 Locarno Film Festival.

The coming-of-age drama follows Bego, a 12-year-old girl as she navigates adolescence, family relationships, and the growing influence of internet culture. Set during an endless summer vacation in the near future, the story follows Bego as a solar eclipse approaches and she becomes fascinated by the online phenomenon known as “Shifting.” Convinced it can transport her into another reality, she begins questioning the boundaries between imagination and everyday life.

Mariani describes the film as a reflection on the generation shaped by the internet, exploring how digital spaces influence identity, belonging, and emotional development during adolescence.

The trailer showcases the film’s dreamlike visual style, blending intimate family moments with surreal imagery. Instead of portraying technology as the central focus, Mariani examines how online communities and digital trends become emotional refuges for young people searching for connection and self-understanding.

The Days Off will make its world premiere at the 2026 Locarno Film Festival, one of Europe’s leading showcases for independent and auteur cinema. The selection places Mariani’s latest feature alongside an international lineup of highly anticipated festival premieres.

Over the decades, Locarno has launched emerging filmmakers and championed distinctive cinematic voices, cementing its reputation as a key platform for international independent cinema.

At the heart of the story lies Bego’s fascination with “Shifting,” an internet trend that encourages participants to imagine or believe they can move into alternate realities. Mariani uses the concept to explore loneliness, imagination, and the emotional uncertainty that often accompanies adolescence.

The trailer highlights Bego’s emotional journey through atmospheric cinematography, understated performances, and recurring eclipse imagery, creating a coming-of-age story that seamlessly blends realism with subtle fantasy.

The trailer’s release has already sparked interest ahead of the film’s Locarno debut, positioning The Days Off among the independent titles to watch at this year’s festival.

By combining contemporary themes with an intimate coming-of-age narrative, Mariani delivers a timely exploration of adolescence in the digital age, making The Days Off (Los Días Libres) one of the most promising festival premieres of the 2026 season.