San Sebastian Festival 2026: A Preview of Stars, Spanish Cinema, and a Director’s Farewell

The 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival is set to unfold from September 18 to 26 in the Basque Country resort, offering a glimpse into the current state of global cinema with a particular focus on Spanish production. The event will serve as a significant platform for major Hollywood talent and a celebration of Iberian filmmaking prowess.

Hollywood heavyweights Brad Pitt and Penélope Cruz are among the most prominent figures attending the festival. Pitt returns to San Sebastián, having last appeared there for the premiere of “Inglourious Basterds,” to promote his latest project, “Heart of the Beast.” Cruz, who recently received a Special Tribute Award at TIFF, emerges as one of the festival’s busiest stars with screenings of “The Invite,” “Bunker,” and “La Bola Negra,” all of which are considered strong contenders in the upcoming awards season. Additionally, Naomi Watts is scheduled to receive the prestigious Donostia Award on September 19, while Werner Herzog will be honored at the opening ceremony on September 18.

Industry discussions will take center stage at the San Sebastián-CAA Media Finance Creative Investors Conference. Building on previous years’ dialogues regarding production challenges in the U.S. and Europe, this year’s session will feature executives from Acme AI & FX, Black Bear International, Media Capital Technologies, Mubi, Neon, Studiocanal, and Sumerian Pictures. The Larraín brothers and Rodrigo Teixeira are also confirmed speakers, with topics ranging from shifts in U.S. theatrical audiences to Europe’s scaling needs.

A defining narrative of this year’s festival is the unprecedented strength of Spanish cinema. According to the European Audiovisual Observatory, global streamers invested €2 billion in Spain in 2024, significantly outpacing expenditures in France and Germany. The country also led in feature film output with 423 productions last year, compared to France’s 228. San Sebastián Festival Director José Luis Rebordinos highlighted this trend, noting that Spanish cinema has never been more powerful, with international titles gaining significant traction.

This momentum is reflected in the festival’s lineup. “La Bola Negra,” directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, is expected to be a major draw for local audiences after its success at Cannes. The film, a Movistar Plus Original, exemplifies the pay-TV giant’s strategy of backing high-profile auteur projects. Movistar Plus also announced plans to double its Spanish original series production from eight to sixteen annually, aiming to balance local ambition with international relevance.

The “Made in Spain” strand will showcase 24 films in 2026, double the average number featured between 2018 and 2022. Highlights include Pedro Almodóvar’s “Bitter Christmas” and Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s “The Beloved,” both of which have already premiered in Spain. In competition, Chilean director Pablo Larraín presents the world premiere of “My Sad Dead,” a cinematic adaptation of his Netflix series, while Benjamín Naishtat brings “Glaxo,” featuring Lali Espósito, who Rebordinos praised as reminiscent of classic Hollywood stars.

The festival also serves as a farewell venue for Rebordinos, who is stepping down at the end of 2026. His successor, Maileen Beloki, has been part of his team since 2016, suggesting a continuity of vision rather than a radical shift. Rebordinos, who took the helm in 2010, is credited with stabilizing the festival, securing sponsors, and helping position Spain as a key film and television power in Europe. His contributions were recently recognized with a standing ovation at a Madrid tribute.

Besides the high-profile premieres, the festival will introduce new voices, including works by Japanese director Maha Harada, Norwegian filmmaker Marlene Emile Lyngstad, British director Billy Lumby, and Mexican director Rodrigo García Saiz. While no Basque films are in the main competition, local talent is represented through titles such as Igor Legarreta’s “Blind Ants” and Koldo Almandoz’s “The Last Goodbye,” signaling a growing generation of Basque auteurs.