A constellation of Hollywood and European talent is set to grace the red carpet. Brad Pitt returns to San Sebastián with his latest project, "Heart of the Beast," marking his first appearance since "Inglourious Basterds." Penélope Cruz, fresh from a TIFF Special Tribute Award, is among the busiest stars, presenting two Oscar contenders: "The Invite" and "La Bola Negra." Adding to the esteemed guests, Naomi Watts will be honored with a Donostia Award on September 19, while German cinema luminary Werner Herzog will receive his at the opening ceremony. Javier Bardem is also expected to attend for Rodrigo Sorogoyen's much-anticipated film, "The Beloved."
Spanish cinema, in particular, is experiencing an unprecedented boom, with the festival serving as a key showcase. In 2024, global streamers invested a staggering €2.0 billion ($2.3 billion) in Spain, dwarfing investments in France and Germany. Spain also outproduced France in features, with 423 films made last year. José Luis Rebordinos, the festival director, proudly declared that "Spanish Cinema has never been more powerful," a sentiment echoed by the success of Netflix Spain's "Rafa," the first non-English series to earn a Primetime Emmy nomination.
Among the most talked-about Spanish titles is "La Bola Negra," a Movistar Plus Original from filmmaking duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, affectionately known as Los Javis. The film, which previously premiered at Cannes, is generating immense local excitement, with Rebordinos noting, "We’re being flooded with requests for tickets." Movistar Plus is significantly expanding its commitment to Spanish content, aiming to double its original series production and backing event-driven auteur films. Other notable Spanish entries include Pedro Almodovar's "Bitter Christmas," J.A. Bayona's "After Society," and Fernando Trueba's "Bajañí."
Beyond Spanish productions, the festival boasts a strong international lineup. The world premiere of "Les Miserables," an epic yet realistic thriller from Fred Cavayé and Studiocanal, is generating significant buzz. Michaël R. Roskam's "Le Faux Soir" will close the festival, and the series "El Castillo" is also highly anticipated. New talent is highlighted in the New Directors section, featuring promising works from Norway, the UK, Kazakhstan, and Mexico. Chilean director Pablo Larraín, acclaimed for films like "Jackie" and "Spencer," presents the world premiere of "My Sad Dead," a cinematic adaptation of his Netflix series.
The festival also fosters industry dialogue through the San Sebastián-CAA Media Finance Creative Investors Conference. This year's discussions will tackle critical issues such as the evolving U.S. theatrical audience and challenges in film financing across the U.S. and Europe, with insights from key executives and producers.
While there are no Basque films in the main competition this year, a strong selection of local productions is still featured. Highlights include David Pérez Sañudo's historical thriller "The Harvester" and Igor Legarreta's "Blind Ants," alongside promising debuts from a new generation of Basque filmmakers.
The 2026 edition also marks a significant moment for the festival as it prepares for a leadership transition. José Luis Rebordinos, who has steered the festival since 2010, will step down in January 2027, with Maileen Beloki, a member of his team, set to take over. Rebordinos leaves behind a legacy of stability, increased sponsorship, and a pivotal role in elevating Spain's standing as a global film and TV powerhouse. His departure is met with widespread industry acclaim, with expectations for continued evolution rather than radical change under Beloki's leadership.