Werner Herzog, the visionary behind classics like Aguirre, the Wrath of God and Fitzcarraldo, was presented with the Donostia Award at the Kursaal Theatre, earning a resounding ovation from his European peers. Actor Orlando Bloom, who stars in Herzog's latest feature Bucking Fastards – also screening at the festival – had the honor of presenting the award. Herzog expressed his gratitude, remarking, "What an honor to receive it from the very hands of Orlando Bloom. He’s a living legend at his young age already. He is a treasure of cinema."

In his acceptance speech, Herzog spoke of a deep, personal connection to the Basque people and Spain. He recounted an epic journey undertaken many years ago, walking over 1,000 kilometers from the Cannes Film Festival into the Pyrenees, an experience that, though it ended in Biarritz rather than San Sebastian, cemented his bond with the region. He added, "I feel like as if I belong here. It is a country of poetry," highlighting his close follow of Spain's national poetry competition.

Beyond the celebration of Herzog's career, the ceremony took a notably political turn. Hosts Fariba Sheikhan and Mariona Terés used the platform to deliver a series of impactful declarations, beginning with a stark call for peace. "We join the myriad of voices calling for an end to genocide, like the one happening in Gaza," they announced to thunderous applause.

This sentiment extended to a strong show of solidarity with Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the directors of the film NAZA. The documentary, which features testimonies from Israeli military officers regarding alleged systems targeting civilians in Gaza, recently won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival but has since faced threats from the Israeli government, including calls to revoke the directors' citizenship. The festival's stance echoes its position from the previous year, when it advocated for an "immediate ceasefire" in the region, condemning what it described as "unimaginable massacres."

The hosts further emphasized the need to combat "unilateral breaking of international law, to colonialist looting, to sexual violence and to the cruel wars that systematically violate human rights," underscoring the festival's commitment to using its platform for global advocacy. The 2026 San Sebastian International Film Festival officially opened with Fatih Akin’s haunting film Ghost Song, a story influenced by the director's appreciation for anime and manga.