San Sebastian International Film Festival 2024

He San Sebastian International Film Festival, founded in 1953, is one of the most prestigious film festivals in Europe and the world. San Sebastian International Film Festival is held annually in the coastal city of San Sebastian, in the Basque Country, Spain, and attracts filmmakers, actors and film enthusiasts from around the world. This festival has been a crucial platform for the launch of great films and the consecration of international cinema figures, being a space where the best of contemporary cinema is combined with the promotion of new talents.

The festival It is known for its intimate and welcoming atmosphere, which allows greater closeness between the public and the creators, and has a wide range of competitive and non-competitive sections that cover everything from auteur cinema to commercial productions.San Sebastian International Film Festival will take place from September 20 to 28 and promises to offer a rich and varied programming, highlighting the best of current cinema worldwide.

San Sebastian International Film Festivalia 2024 Official Section

The Official Section of the San Sebastián Festival is the heart of the event, where the films that compete for the highest award are presented, the Golden Shell. In this 2024 edition, the selection includes a variety of genres and styles, with films from around the world that address contemporary, historical and personal themes. Listed below are all the films competing in this year’s Official Selection:

1. “Emmanuelle” (France), directed by Audrey Diwan: A modern exploration of desire and sexual freedom.
2. “Solitary Afternoons” (Spain), by Albert Serra: A documentary that delves into the world of bullfighting.
3. “Bound in Heaven” (China), by Xin Huo: A story about the connection between love and death in extreme circumstances.
4. “The Cry” (Spain/Argentina/France), by Pedro Martín-Calero: A psychological thriller that connects three women in different times and places.
5. “The End” (UK/Denmark), directed by Joshua Oppenheimer: A dystopian musical starring Tilda Swinton.
6. “Conclave” (UK/US), by Edward Berger: A film exploring the process of electing a new Pope, starring Ralph Fiennes.
7. “Hard Truths” (United Kingdom/Spain), directed by Mike Leigh: A drama about the difficulties of a London family.
8. “On Falling” (Portugal/Scotland), by Laura Carreira: The precarious life of a Portuguese worker in a warehouse in Scotland.
9. “The Place of the Other” (Chile), by Maite Alberdi: A story based on real events about the Chilean writer María Carolina Geel.
10. “The Last Showgirl” (USA), directed by Gia Coppola: The story of a show dancer facing the closure of her show after three decades of success.
11. “Last Breath” (France), by Costa-Gavras: A drama about the relationship between a palliative care doctor and a writer.
12. “The Man Who Loved Flying Saucers” (Argentina), by Diego Lerman: Based on the best audiovisual record about the alien presence in the history of Argentine television.
13. “When Fall Is Coming” (France), by François Ozon: A drama about a woman whose life changes after meeting a friend’s son, recently released from prison (San Sebastian Film Festival, Screen Daily,​ (San Sebastian Festival)​ (Eye For Film)).

Each of these films reflects a unique and diverse approach, showcasing the richness of contemporary narratives in world cinema. The competition promises to be intense, with veteran and emerging directors offering creative and challenging proposals.

Parallel Sections

In addition to the Official Section, the San Sebastián International Film Festival, offers a series of parallel sections that complement the cinematographic offer and expand the diversity of styles and narratives present at the festival. These sections provide a space for new talent, auteur cinema and films that have already stood out in other festivals.

1. Latin Horizons: This section is dedicated to films from Latin America, which have not been released in Spain. This year’s selection includes titles that address a variety of social, political and personal issues, highlighting the realities of the region. Among the selected films are works that have had an impact at international festivals and that reflect the cultural richness of Latin American cinema.
2. Zabaltegi-Tabakalera: This section is the most open and innovative of the festival, since it does not impose restrictions regarding the format, genre or duration of the films. Zabaltegi-Tabakalera is a space for experimental cinema and the most daring proposals, where renowned and emerging directors explore new narrative forms. It is a place where the unexpected takes center stage, and where viewers can discover works that break with traditional film conventions.

In addition to these sections, the festival includes others such as Made in Spain, which shows the best of recent Spanish cinema, and Culinary Zinema, which combines film screenings with themed dinners, exploring the relationship between cinema and gastronomy.

Special Awards and Tributes

One of the most anticipated moments of the San Sebastián Festival are the Donostia Awards, honorary awards given to film figures for their career and contribution to the industry. San Sebastian International Film Festival will pay tribute to Pedro Almodovar, one of the most influential directors of Spanish and world cinema. Almodóvar has been a pillar of cinema since the eighties, with iconic films such as “Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown”, “All about my mother”, and “Return”. This tribute will include special screenings of some of his most representative works, as well as meetings with the public and the press.

In addition to the Donostia Award, the festival will also recognize other outstanding personalities in world cinema. These tributes serve to underline the importance of the festival as a platform for international recognition, and reinforce its prestige in the global film industry.

International Participation

He San Sebastian International Film Festival stands out every year for the presence of filmmakers, actors and film professionals from all over the world. This international participation reinforces the global relevance of the festival and makes it a meeting point for the film industry. In the 2024 edition, renowned figures are expected to present their films and participate in various activities.

Among this year’s notable names are Tilda Swinton, who stars “The End”, and Ralph Fiennes, who heads the cast of “Conclave”. Both actors, recognized worldwide for their film careers, will attend the screenings of their films at the festival and will participate in meetings with the press and the public. Furthermore, the director Audrey Diwan will open the festival with his film “Emmanuelle”, which confirms the importance of San Sebastián as a showcase for international filmmakers.

Zinemaldia 2024 also offers a meeting space for industry professionals through its Europe-Latin America Co-production Forum, where collaborations between both continents are encouraged. This forum is a vital platform for the creation of new projects and the expansion of Latin American cinema in the European market.

Latest News about Zinemaldia 2024

The latest news from the 2024 San Sebastián Festival includes the confirmation of several world premieres in the Official Section, in addition to the screening of films out of competition. Among the most recent news, the arrival of figures such as Costa-Gavras, who will present his film “Last Breath”, and the announcement of special events that include round tables and talks with directors of the caliber of Joshua Oppenheimer and Mike Leigh.

Likewise, San Sebastian International Film Festival has announced the addition of new titles to the programming, which has generated great expectation among attendees. Among these titles is “The Last Showgirl”, by Gia Coppola, which will feature the participation of figures such as Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis. Additionally, more announcements regarding the participation of other celebrities and filmmakers in special events at the festival are expected to be made in the coming days (Screen Daily, Eye for Film​ (San Sebastian Festival)​ (Eye For Film)).

Spanish Cinema at the Festival

Spanish cinema has a prominent role at the San Sebastián Festival, and the 2024 edition is no exception. This year, several Spanish directors and filmmakers will compete both in the Official Section and in other parallel sections, consolidating the national presence in the event.

Among the most anticipated titles in the Official Section is “Solitary Afternoons”, from the renowned director Albert Serra, which will compete for the Golden Shell with a documentary that explores bullfighting from a unique perspective. It also highlights “The Cry”, from the Spanish director Pedro Martín-Calero, a co-production between Spain, Argentina and France that promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats with its psychological approach.

Outside the Official Section of San Sebastian International Film Festival, the section Made in Spain offers a window to the best of recent Spanish cinema. This non-competitive section allows Spanish directors to show their films internationally, which contributes to the dissemination of national cinema in foreign markets. In addition, the festival promotes Basque cinema through the section to the cinema, dedicated to films produced or directed by Basque filmmakers.

Conclusion

The 2024 San Sebastián International Film Festival is shaping up to be a vibrant and diverse event, with a program that ranges from major international productions to gems of experimental cinema and Latin American cinema. The strong presence of Spanish cinema, both in competition and in parallel sections, underlines the importance of the festival as a platform for the promotion of national and international talent. Over the years, this festival has managed to maintain its relevance in the film industry, and the Zinemaldia 2024 edition promises to continue consolidating its legacy as one of the most important film events in the world.

For more information: Zinemaldia 2024 official website

Author: Descubre Donostia