Mike Leigh's possible final film has won San Sebastián's top prize. The 83-year-old director also took the screenplay award, while Kate O'Flynn and Javier Cámara received acting honours.
At the closing ceremony on 26 September 2026, the jury led by American filmmaker Ira Sachs gave the Concha de Oro to Mike Leigh's _Tender Loving Care_. The win came at the 74th San Sebastián festival. It may also be Leigh's final film.
Leigh, who is 83, has linked a possible retirement from filmmaking to a medical condition that affects muscle movement. At a press event before the ceremony, he said the film was "more than likely" his last. He referred to myositis, according to EFE and Infobae.
The night was personal.
Leigh also won the award for best screenplay. Kate O'Flynn took the Silver Shell for leading performance. She shared it with Asta Kamma August, who was recognised for _Growth of the Soil_. The official festival announcement, Reuters and Deadline all reported the same main awards.
_Tender Loving Care_ also received the Transforma Make & Mark Award, created to recognise films that contribute to positive social change.
The film collected another honour through the Transforma Make & Mark Award. The prize recognises films that contribute to positive social change. It adds to the film's run beyond the main competition awards.
Leigh's comments gave the victory extra weight. His possible departure is not part of a planned artistic retirement. His illness has limited his mobility, and that may prevent him from making another film.
Javier Cámara led the Spanish winners. He received the Silver Shell for best supporting performance for _Cinco minutos más_, directed by Javier Ruiz Caldera and written by Berto Romero, who also stars in it. Cámara's prize was the main Spanish acting award in the Official Selection.
The audience chose _La bola negra_ by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo. The Spanish Film Academy also selected the film to represent Spain at the Oscars. San Sebastián voters therefore added their support to the film's national Oscar campaign, which was covered earlier.
That was the public vote.
The closing ceremony took place on 26 September 2026, with the jury chaired by American filmmaker Ira Sachs. Its principal award went to Leigh’s film, placing _Tender Loving Care_ at the centre of the festival’s final verdict.
The remaining major awards went to films from outside Spain. The Special Jury Prize went to _Border_ by Ah Biao. Amanda Kernell won the Silver Shell for best director for _Garrat du váimmu_. RTVE's closing-ceremony report and the festival's official results list the same main distribution of prizes.
Leigh's film finished with the top award and the screenplay prize, along with O'Flynn's acting honour. Spanish cinema still had a strong showing through Cámara and the audience choice of _La bola negra_. Screen Daily also recorded the Transforma Make & Mark Award.
San Sebastián produced two clear stories. Leigh may be closing his career because of his health. Spanish cinema gained an acting prize, an audience award and an Oscar selection. Variety and The Hollywood Reporter described the result as a strong boost for _Tender Loving Care_ during the wider awards season.
The festival gave Leigh's film its highest honour. It also rewarded the writing and O'Flynn's performance. Spanish filmmakers left the same ceremony with meaningful recognition of their own.
