Donostia Zinemaldia · local guide
San Sebastián Film Festival 2026
The 74th edition arrives in Donostia from 18 to 26 September. Find the programme, tickets, main guests and the best way to experience Zinemaldia around the city.
For nine days, San Sebastián becomes a meeting point for filmmakers, audiences and cinema lovers from around the world. Red carpets around the Kursaal, screenings in historic theatres and conversations that continue in Gros and the Old Town make the Festival part of the city itself.
Zinemaldia 2026: programme, tickets and guests
Programme and tickets
The official programme is available by day and section, and tickets are on sale through the Festival’s official channels. Check sessions before planning your route and keep an eye on morning releases when a screening appears sold out.
Donostia Awards
Werner Herzog will receive the award during the opening gala on 18 September. Naomi Watts will receive hers at the Kursaal on Saturday 19 September, before the screening of The Housewife.
Confirmed guests
Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Ricardo Darín, Jeremy Irons, Orlando Bloom, Rami Malek, Lali Espósito, Vincent Lindon and Noémie Merlant are among the announced guests, alongside filmmakers including Fatih Akin, Lukas Dhont and Pablo Larraín.
Opening and closing films
Geister / Ghost Song, directed by Fatih Akin, opens the Official Selection on 18 September. Le Faux Soir, by Michaël R. Roskam, closes the Festival on 26 September.
OFFICIAL AWARDS · 26 SEPTEMBER 2026
San Sebastián Film Festival 2026 winners
Mike Leigh’s Tender Loving Care was the major winner of the 74th San Sebastián Film Festival. It received the Golden Shell, the Jury Prize for Best Screenplay and one of the two Silver Shells for Best Leading Performance, awarded to Kate O’Flynn.
Official Selection awards
- Golden Shell: Tender Loving Care, directed by Mike Leigh.
- Special Jury Prize: Bian Jing / Border, directed by Ah Biao.
- Silver Shell for Best Director: Amanda Kernell for Garrat du váimmu / Brace Your Heart.
- Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance, ex aequo: Kate O’Flynn for Tender Loving Care and Asta Kamma August for Markens grøde / Growth of the Soil.
- Silver Shell for Best Supporting Performance: Javier Cámara for 5 minutos más / 5 More Minutes.
- Jury Prize for Best Cinematography: Oskar Dahlsbakken for Markens grøde / Growth of the Soil.
- Jury Prize for Best Screenplay: Mike Leigh for Tender Loving Care.
Other highlights
- New Directors: Body of Glass, directed by Naëmi Ada; special mention for The World Before.
- Horizontes and DAMA Youth Award: La ilusión de un verano sin fin / The Illusion of an Everlasting Summer, directed by Alessandra Sanguinetti; special mention for Moscas / Flies.
- Zabaltegi-Tabakalera: Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, directed by Jane Schoenbrun; special mention for Sometimes Sadness, Sometimes Rebellion.
- Irizar Basque Film Award: Txakun txakür, directed by Elsa Oliarj-Inès.
- City of Donostia / San Sebastián Audience Award: La bola negra, directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi.
- Audience Award for Best European Film: NAZA, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.
Updated on 26 September 2026 from the Festival’s official awards announcement.
How to read the programme
The Official Selection is the main competition for the Golden Shell. New Directors focuses on first and second features; Perlak brings acclaimed films from other festivals; Zabaltegi-Tabakalera is the most open section; and Zinemira showcases Basque cinema. Culinary Zinema, Made in Spain and the retrospectives complete the offer.
Key venues and nearby neighbourhoods
The Kursaal is the Festival’s operational centre. The Victoria Eugenia brings you closer to the historic side of the event, while Tabakalera anchors contemporary cinema and industry activity. Around them, the atmosphere continues through Gros, the Centre and the Old Town.
Complete your visit with our guides to the Kursaal, San Sebastián’s iconic spots and pintxos and local food.
Official information
For the latest sessions, ticket availability and schedule changes, use the official San Sebastián Film Festival website. The dates are 18–26 September 2026.
