The 74th San Sebastián Film Festival opened with a curious imbalance: Brad Pitt is its most talked-about guest, but he will not receive the festival’s top honorary award, the Premio Donostia. Organizers haven’t explained the decision, even as Pitt and his new survival film, "El corazón de la bestia," command most of the early attention. His arrival with a canine co-star revived memories of the fan frenzy during his 2009 visit for "Malditos Bastardos," setting a high bar for celebrity buzz.
Pitt’s absence from the award list stands out, while the other major honors are more straightforward. Werner Herzog, now 84, receives the Premio Donostia for his long career. After years of documentary work, he recently returned to fiction with "Bucking Fastard." Herzog’s recognition is impressive, since the award usually goes to actors who light up the Kursaal’s red carpet. Naomi Watts, meanwhile, finally gets her due after her acclaimed but unrewarded performance in "Promesas del este" at the 2007 festival. This year’s honor is seen as making up for that oversight.
The official opening of the 74th San Sebastián Film Festival is scheduled for September 18, 2026, with Fatih Akin's "Geister / Ghost Song" as its opening film.
The race for the Concha de Oro is tight, with 17 films competing. Jesse Eisenberg, fresh from his Oscar-nominated role in "A Real Pain," brings "El debut," starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giammati. Mike Leigh, known for his sharp takes on Thatcher-era Britain, enters with "Tender Loving Care." Leigh won the Palme d’Or for "Secretos y mentiras." His recent announcement of a serious autoimmune illness lends his latest film the air of a possible farewell.
Pablo Larraín presents "Mis muertos tristes," based on Mariana Enríquez’s stories in "Un lugar soleado para gente sombría," with gothic elements and a standout performance from Mercedes Morán. Benjamín Naishat, a two-time San Sebastián winner for "Rojo" and "Puán," returns with "Glaxo," a moral thriller set deep in Argentina. Fatih Akin, winner of Berlin’s Oso de Oro for "Contra la pared" and a prizewinner at Cannes and Venice, opens the festival with "Ghost Song," a love story that crosses the line between life and death.
Official festival communications and coverage by RTVE Play and Deadline confirm Naomi Watts and Werner Herzog as the 2026 Donostia Award recipients. Watts will receive her honor during a special gala screening of "The Housewife" on September 19. This year’s guest list is exceptionally star-studded, with Penélope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Jesse Eisenberg, Orlando Bloom, and Rami Malek among those expected, making the 74th edition one of the most high-profile in recent memory.
Spanish cinema’s place at San Sebastián is complicated this year. Cannes selected Almodóvar’s latest film, Sorogoyen’s work, and, notably, "La bola negra." The latter has gained momentum since its Cannes success and is now Spain’s official Oscar submission for best foreign language film. Its pre-release screening in San Sebastián is drawing more attention than the three Spanish films competing for the Concha de Oro.
The three contenders are not household names. Javier Ruiz Caldera, known for his comedies, presents "Cinco minutos más," written with frequent collaborator Berto Romero. Mikel Gurrea, who debuted at the festival with "Suro," returns with "Sants," a drama about the black market for religious images starring Vicky Luengo and Ariadna Gil. Roberto Bueso’s "El mal padre" is a riskier pick, led by Eduard Fernández.
This year’s lineup shows how the field for Spanish cinema is shifting. With Cannes taking the season’s most anticipated Spanish films, San Sebastián’s competition is more open to surprises and new discoveries. That could weaken the festival’s traditional role as the basic showcase for Spanish cinema, or give emerging filmmakers a boost. International stars are in attendance, and Naomi Watts and Werner Herzog are receiving overdue honors. San Sebastián still draws established and rising talent from around the world.
