San Sebastian International Film Festival

Spain
All genres

San Sebastian is the largest film festival in Spain, occurring each September. It is an A-list FIAPF accredited event with a number of awards given out by the juries in its six competitive sections, screening about 200 films.
The main jury awards six prizes in the Official section, there is a cash prize in the New Directors section shared with the director and the Spanish distributor, plus Audience Awards across all sections, also carrying cash prizes.


ATTENDEE TIPS

“San Sebastian is an A-list competitive European festival and the biggest in the Spanish-speaking world. It has generated a huge awareness of our film internationally.”

“The emphasis was very much on each individual film and the press and awareness generated from that. However, there were enough opportunities for discussions and some networking events informally.”

“I believe that our presence in San Sebastian in Competition, in addition to winning an award, has increased the profile of the film immeasurably. It has created sales opportunities, particularly for Spain, and has had a flow on effect for other important festivals in Europe.”

“I attended the Awards ceremony on closing night to pick up the screenplay award. The awards ceremony was televised on Spanish TV and extremely well reported around the world.”

“The key tip for filmmakers attending the festival is one of being prepared to speak about your film passionately. In our case, our sales agents were extremely efficient, along with the festival, as they had already set up key ways to promote and highlight the film through organised press screenings and the press conference. The filmmaker then has to be ready to speak about the film intensively to the press, so you also have to be ready to work hard.”

Awards

2023 - Won - Royal Hotel, The - RTVE - Another Look Award

2021 - Won - Power of the Dog, The - Sebastiáne LGBTI Award

2021 - Nominated - Power of the Dog, The - Audience Award

2013 - Won - Railway Man, The - Signis Award

2009 - Won - Blessed - Jury Prize for the best screenplay - Official Competition

Screenings

2024 - Perlak - Memoir of a Snail

2024 - Klasikoak - Piano, The

2023 - Official Selection - Royal Hotel, The

2023 - Perlak - New Boy, The

2021 - Perlak - Power of the Dog, The

2017 - Savage Cinema - Mountain

2015 - FIPRESCI Grand Prix - Mad Max: Fury Road

2013 - Animatopia: New paths of animation cinema - $9.99

2013 - Culinary Zinema: Film and gastronomy - Make Hummus Not War

2013 - Animatopia: New paths of animation cinema - Mary & Max

2013 - Official Selection - Railway Man, The

2011 - Zabaltegi - Snowtown

2009 - Official Competition - Blessed

2005 - New Directors - Look Both Ways

2001 - Velodrome - Moulin Rouge

2001 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Lantana

2001 - Zabaltegi - Bank, The

1999 - Official Section - Soft Fruit

1999 - Zabaltegi - Juggling the Elements

1996 - Zabaltegi - Small Fictions

1994 - Zabaltegi - Muriel's Wedding

1994 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The

1994 - Critics' Choice - Bad Boy Bubby

1992 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - On My Own

1991 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Waiting

1991 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Genocide

1991 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Hope and the Mass of Men

1991 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Eclipse of the Man Made Sun

1990 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Crossing, The

1990 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Blood Oath

1990 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Struck by Lightning

1990 - Open Zone - Sweethearts

1988 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - One Man's Response

1988 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Cannibal Tours

1988 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Cane Toads: An Unnatural History

1986 - San Sebastian International Film Festival - Backlash