Intramovies Picks Up Locarno Contender ‘Mosquitos’: ‘A Film Unlike Anything We’ve Seen Before’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Intramovies has picked up interational sales rights for Italian drama “Mosquitos” (“Le Bambine”). Directed by Valentina and Nicole Bertani, it will premiere at Locarno Film Festival’s official competition.

Valentina Bertani’s already behind well-received doc “The Crown Shyness,” shown in Venice and nominated for David di Donatello. Nicole Bertani is making her feature debut.

Inspired by their own childhood, the “deeply personal story” – now in post-production – is set at the end of the 1990s. Eight-year-old Linda drifts from her wealthy grandmother’s Swiss villa with her carefree mother, Eva. In Italy, they meet sisters Azzurra and Marta.

“We crafted a strong visual identity with an ever-roaming camera and lush, ‘90s-inspired saturated colors, drawing the audience into a film where restless, unpredictable shifts in perspective refuse to let them slip into passive watching,” the directors said in a shared statement of the Locarno International Competition player.

In their film, “a chance summer encounter binds the three girls in a gang to protect each other, their youth, and freedom.” Around them swirl “selfish parents chasing fragile dreams, gossiping neighbors, and a queer babysitter searching for belonging in a homophobic world.”

Produced by Daniele Esposito for Emma Film, the film was made in collaboration with Rai Cinema, Adler Entertainment and 360 Degrees Film, and co-produced by Michela Pini and Olga Lamontanara for Cinédokké, Philippe Gompel and Birgit Kemner for Manny Films, Marco Colombo for Adler Entertainment, Nicola Rosada for 360 Degrees Film and Guillaume Marien for Mathematic.

Adler Entertainment will be also distributing the film theatrically in Italy.

“As I had the script of ‘Mosquitoes’ in my hands, I immediately believed in the power of this story. To see it materialize and become universal is for me the greatest satisfaction,” said Esposito.

Written by the directors and scriptwriter Maria Sole Limodio, “Mosquitos” is lensed by Marco Bassano and Luca Costantini. Marcello Saurino is handling editing, while the score comes from Lorenzo Confetta. Riccardo Studer is the sound designer.

Geremia Biagiotti, Intramovies’ sales, marketing & acquisitions manager, added: “From the moment we watched ‘The Crown Shyness,’ we knew we were witnessing the arrival of an extraordinary new director with a powerful and deeply personal vision. Something not only fresh, but genuinely innovative in its visual storytelling.”

According to Biagotti, the film “boldly blends multiple genres into a truly original cinematic experience.”

“Comedy and drama intertwine with coming-of-age themes, pop culture, retromania, feminism, inclusivity, LGBTQ+ stories, and touches of the grotesque and fantastic – creating a film that feels unlike anything we’ve seen before.”

The Locarno Film Festival will kick off on Aug. 6, 2025.