Naomi Watts accepted San Sebastián's Donostia Award at 57. She crossed the festival red carpet in a black dress as admirers gathered to take photographs.
Naomi Watts drew the crowd's attention at Saturday's San Sebastián festival gala. She received the Donostia Award at the age of 57. The International Film Festival of San Sebastián presented the prize on 19 September 2026, during the festival's 74th edition. A large group of admirers waited for her arrival and took photographs with the actress.
Watts became the focus before the gala had even started. Fans gathered along the route and followed her arrival closely. The award was already a public event by the time she reached the entrance.
Naomi Watts dedicated the Donostia Award to the late David Lynch, whose work had played an important role in her career.
Watts wore a draped black dress with shoulder straps and two white flowers. The outfit stood out against the formal 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. Her arrival also linked the ceremony to the wider festival entrance. Director Juan Antonio Bayona and other guests were among those arriving, according to footage distributed by EFE. The available images show Watts crossing the carpet as the public waited nearby.
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.
Admirers approached Watts for photographs as she entered the event. The exchange became one of the evening's clearest images. The award recipient was moving through the crowd rather than remaining apart from it.
The ceremony also drew attention beyond the gala. Earlier coverage examined the significance attached to Watts's San Sebastián honour. The latest images show how much space she occupied on the festival's public stage.
Director Juan Antonio Bayona presented the award. Actor Jon Plazaola hosted the ceremony at the Kursaal. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Watts received the honour before the festival screening of her new film The Housewife. That gave the career award 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", according to 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.
The scene needed no added drama. Watts received the Donostia Award and appeared before a large group of admirers. She shared the red carpet with other festival arrivals. San Sebastián presented the honour in a formal ceremony that remained open to the public.
The festival gave its award to Naomi Watts in a setting shared with the city. Her arrival, along with the fans gathered around her, supplied the evening's strongest image.
