José Luis Rebordinos, the outgoing chief of the San Sebastián International Film Festival, approaches his departure with characteristic humility, despite overseeing a period of immense growth and change for the Spanish cinematic event. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Rebordinos downplayed his personal achievements, stating, "I am happy, because I think we did good work. We, not I, because we are a team."
Under Rebordinos's 17-year leadership, San Sebastián has evolved from a "hidden gem" into a crucial stop on the international festival circuit. His strategy focused on attracting star power, securing world premieres, and significantly bolstering industry-focused initiatives. Events like the Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum (launched in 2012) and the Creative Investors’ Conference (since 2022) have drawn major producers and filmmakers, fundamentally altering the festival's DNA. This strategic shift has enabled the festival to attract high-profile competition films that would have been unattainable a decade ago, including recent works from Fatih Akin, Mike Leigh, and Jesse Eisenberg.
From 2027, the festival will enter a new era under Maialen Beloki, Rebordinos’s deputy director for 11 years. Beloki will make history as the first woman to lead the 74-year-old festival, a decision Rebordinos wholeheartedly supports, calling her "very intelligent and a very good person." Rebordinos, meanwhile, plans to pursue new passions, including writing, reading, and working with smaller Latin American and Spanish festivals.
Beyond its cinematic and industry achievements, the San Sebastián Film Festival has distinguished itself with its willingness to take explicit political stances – a rarity among top-tier festivals. This year's opening ceremony saw hosts Fariba Sheikhan and Mariona Terés condemn the "genocide" in Gaza and express solidarity with filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, who faced threats from the Israeli government. Rebordinos affirmed this position, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "The genocide isn’t a theory. We are watching the genocide. We are a little speaker, but in front of the barbarism, we had to say something."
This isn't the first time Rebordinos has guided the festival to speak out; he previously condemned Spain's far-right Vox party, even losing a potential sponsor in the process. He notes that San Sebastián stands as "the only A-category festival that has issued a statement about it," while acknowledging and respecting why other festivals might choose not to. This blend of personal conviction and international perspective has become a defining characteristic of his tenure, solidifying San Sebastián's unique purpose on the global stage.
As Rebordinos steps down, leaving behind a robust and principled institution, the focus now shifts to Beloki and the festival's continued journey, carrying forward a legacy of both cinematic excellence and courageous advocacy.