San Sebastián Festival: A Cinematic Extravaganza
A star-studded affair
The San Sebastián Festival, held from September 20-28 in the picturesque Basque seaside resort, promises an unforgettable experience for cinema enthusiasts. This year’s lineup boasts an impressive array of stars and auteur power, including Cate Blanchett, Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton, and Pamela Anderson. Renowned directors like Pedro Almodóvar, Sean Baker, Costa Gavras, and Edward Berger will also grace the event.
Celebrating cinematic legends
Blanchett, Almodóvar, and Bardem will receive the prestigious Donostia Awards for their outstanding contributions to cinema. Blanchett will discuss her role in Guy Maddin’s Cannes hit, Rumours, set for a U.S. release on October 18. Almodóvar and Swinton will present their Venice success, The Room Next Door. Depp will unveil Modi, his second directorial venture, marking a significant milestone for his London label, IN.2 Films.
A platform for new talent
San Sebastián is not just about established names; it’s a haven for emerging talent. The festival has a history of recognizing first- or second-time directors, with three out of the last four Golden Shell winners being newcomers. This year, the spotlight is on Laura Carreira’s On Falling, Xin Huo’s Bound in Heaven, and Pedro Martín Calero’s The Wailing. These films are generating significant buzz and are expected to leave a lasting impact.
Rising stars and industry support
The festival’s New Directors competition features promising titles like Akaki Popkhadze’s In the Name of Blood and Koya Kamura’s Winter in Sokcho. Additionally, the Co-Production Forum will showcase projects like Gabriela Amaral Almeida’s She, Crocodile and Natalia López Gallardo’s Only Love Exists. These films highlight the festival’s commitment to nurturing new talent and fostering industry collaboration.
The SVOD revolution
San Sebastián is embracing the digital age, with global streamers making their presence felt. Spain, a significant player in Netflix’s non-English content, will see the premiere of The Platform 2, a sequel to the horror-thriller that garnered 82 million views. Netflix will also debut In Her Place by Maite Alberdi and The Man Who Loved UFOs by Diego Lerman in the main competition.
Spanish cinema on the rise
The Spanish film industry is experiencing a renaissance, with major SVOD players like Movistar Plus+ and Prime Video investing in local productions. Icíar Bollaín’s I’m Nevenka and Paula Ortiz’s The Red Virgin are set to make waves at the festival. These films represent a new era of Spanish cinema, with increased industry backing and a focus on theatrical releases.
Documentaries take center stage
Documentary features are gaining prominence at San Sebastián. Antón Álvarez’s La Guitarra Flemenca de Yerai Cortés and Albert Serra’s Afternoons of Solitude are among the highly anticipated titles. These films showcase the inventive storytelling and creative potential of the documentary genre.
The Basque cinema boom
Basque cinema is thriving, with 20 titles selected from 100 submissions for this year’s festival. The region’s tax incentives are attracting international productions, boosting local talent and industry growth. Notable premieres include The Platform 2 and I’m Nevenka, highlighting the strength of Basque film and TV.
A call for support in Argentina
The festival will also address the challenges faced by the Argentine film industry. President Javier Milei’s decision to halt INCAA’s incentive disbursements has had a devastating impact. Argentine filmmakers will stage a protest on September 24, coinciding with the screenings of The Man Who Loved UFOs and Nicolás Gil Lavedra’s Traslados.
A gathering of industry leaders
The 3rd Creative Investors’ Conference will bring together industry heavyweights like Roeg Sutherland, Vincent Maraval, and Jeremy Thomas. The conference will tackle pressing issues such as the U.S. distribution bottleneck and the post-pandemic recovery of the global film industry. These discussions are crucial for shaping the future of cinema.
Final thoughts
The San Sebastián Festival is a celebration of cinema in all its forms, from star-studded premieres to groundbreaking documentaries and emerging talent. It’s a testament to the enduring power of film to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought. Whether you’re a fan of Hollywood legends or indie gems, this year’s festival promises something for everyone.
For more information and to watch trailers of the mentioned films, visit the following links: