Naomi Watts drew the crowd's attention at Saturday's San Sebastián festival gala, where she received the Donostia Award at 57. The International Film Festival of San Sebastián presented the prize on 19 September 2026, during its 74th edition. A large group of admirers waited for her arrival and took photographs with the actress.
Fans gathered along the route and followed Watts's arrival closely, making the award a public event before she reached the entrance. The San Sebastián International Film Festival said Watts dedicated the award to the late David Lynch, whose work had played an impressive role in her career.
Watts wore a draped black dress with shoulder straps and two white flowers, which stood out on the red carpet as she moved through the entrance area.
The award puts a recognised international actress at the center of this year's San Sebastián programme. Festival organisers described Watts as one of the most talented and recognised actresses of her generation. France 24 reported that wording before the ceremony.
Born in England and raised in Australia, Watts came to the gala to collect the prize in person. Director Juan Antonio Bayona and other guests were among those arriving, information from footage distributed by EFE. The images show Watts crossing the carpet as the public waited nearby.
Admirers approached Watts for photographs as she entered the event, moving through the crowd rather than remaining apart from it. The Hollywood Reporter reported that Werner Herzog had already been announced as the first Donostia Award recipient of the 2026 festival, making Watts the second major laureate of this edition. The 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival runs from 18 to 26 September 2026.
The ceremony also drew attention beyond the gala. Earlier coverage examined the significance attached to Watts's San Sebastián honour. The latest images show her on the festival's public stage.
Director Juan Antonio Bayona presented the award, and actor Jon Plazaola hosted the ceremony at the Kursaal. The Hollywood Reporter said Watts received the honour before the festival screening of her new film The Housewife, placing the career award in a current professional setting while recognising four decades of work.
Watts called the prize an "incredible honour" and said she had worked "very hard for 40 years", information from El Cultural and El Español. Deadline also reported her comment that she had started her career "quite late by Hollywood standards". She said she had come to San Sebastián specifically to receive the Donostia Award.
Watts received the award before a large group of admirers and shared the red carpet with other festival arrivals. San Sebastián presented the honour in a formal ceremony that remained open to the public.
