The San Sebastián International Film Festival is a must for film enthusiasts and one of the most renowned film festivals on the international scene, serving as an important platform for Spanish-produced films. The 71st edition of the San Sebastián Festival will begin on September 22, 2023, with the prestigious Spanish actor Javier Bardem as the main protagonist, among many other novelties that this reputable festival brings. This is the definitive guide where you will find everything you need to know to fully enjoy the San Sebastián Film Festival 2023!
What is the San Sebastián Film Festival?
The San Sebastián Film Festival has been held annually since 1953. Today, it is one of the most important Spanish-speaking events in the industry. It also serves as a platform to discover new talents and consolidate the international fame of Spanish directors. In Basque, its name is Donostiako Nazioarteko Zinemaldia, and for this reason, you will often see this last word written alone: “Zinemaldia," instead of San Sebastián Festival.
When is the San Sebastián Festival?
The San Sebastián Festival will start on Friday, September 22 with the traditional opening gala and will end on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
Where is the San Sebastián Film Festival held?
The festival will take place, as always, at the Kursaal Congress Centre and Auditorium in Donostia – San Sebastián. The venue is located 20 kilometers from the French border and is well connected with the airports of San Sebastián, Biarritz, and Bilbao. From the hotel Silken Amara Plaza San Sebastián, you can reach the San Sebastián Festival in less than 10 minutes by car, 15 minutes by bus, or 25 minutes walking.
Donostia San Sebastián Awards 2023
The Donostia Award is an honorary accolade that since 1986 has recognized the career of great professionals in the film world. This is one of the most important awards of the San Sebastián Festival, as it usually involves the attendance of the awardees. At the 2022 San Sebastián Festival edition, Canadian director and screenwriter David Cronenberg and actress Juliette Binoche received the Donostia Award. In 2023, the Donostia Award will be presented to the Spanish actor, Oscar winner, Golden Globe, BAFTA, seven Goyas, Javier Bardem, who will receive the festival’s highest honorary recognition at the gala on September 22.
San Sebastián Film Festival 2023 Program
The San Sebastián Film Festival cinema program consists of around 200 films selected in six competitive sections: Official Selection, New Directors, Latin Horizons, Zabaltegi-Tabakalera, Pearls, and Nest, and in seven non-competitive sections (Culinary Zinema, Made in Spain, Zinemira, Velódromo, Children’s Cinema, Retrospective, and Klasikoak). To understand the San Sebastián International Film Festival program, the first thing we must know is that the different films presented are included in one or more sections. Each has its own rules, jury, and awards.
Competitive sections of the San Sebastián Festival
- Official Selection
This is one of the most important sections as the films presented compete for the famous Golden Shell of the San Sebastián Festival. Here, international films that have never been shown before the screening date compete.
- New Directors
First and second feature films by international directors produced in the last year. They can win the Kutxabank-New Directors awards and also the Youth Award granted by a jury of 300 young students aged 18 to 25.
- Latin Horizons
Feature films never before shown in Spain, produced in the last year by Latin filmmakers, about Latin themes and/or filmed entirely or partly in Latin America. If the film is the director’s first or second, it will also compete for the Youth Award.
- Zabaltegi Tabakalera
Animations, series, shorts, features… this section has room for various formats and somewhat more daring proposals aiming to discover new perspectives.
- Pearls
Feature films never before shown in Spain but that have already received critical acclaim or other international awards. Films presented in this section also compete for the Audience Award.
- Nest Film Students
For students from film schools worldwide whose works have been previously selected.
Non-competitive sections of the San Sebastián Festival
- Zinemira: exclusively dedicated to Basque cinema.
- Culinary Zinema, organized together with the Basque Culinary Center. Screenings are accompanied by themed dinners.
- Made in Spain, which features some of the Spanish films of the year.
- Velódromo, where major premieres can be seen, including children’s films.
- Children’s Cinema, aimed at the little ones and consisting of premieres of films dubbed into Basque.
- Klasikoak, a space for the presentation of restored classics.
- Retrospective, a classic cinema section dedicated to recovering films not seen in recent decades.
Tickets for the San Sebastián Film Festival 2023
There are many types of tickets to attend the San Sebastián International Film Festival. Tickets will go on sale in mid-September, as the festival organization confirms the program on its official website. Each person can purchase a maximum of 4 tickets per session, either online or at the box office. Official selection passes cost between 280 euros (General area) and 390 euros (Zone B). Zone B includes seats in the central area of the hall, which is more limited, while the General area includes seats closest to the screen as well as those on the upper floor of the hall. Tickets for day and night sessions have an average price of 8.25 euros, excluding openings and closings. Take advantage if you are visiting the city to see some of the best films at the San Sebastián Film Festival. The cost of Culinary Cinema plus the restaurant is 80 euros.
Where to stay in San Sebastián
Due to the high demand for accommodation during these dates, it is advisable to plan your trip to attend the San Sebastián Festival in advance. Our 4-star hotel in San Sebastián, Silken Amara Plaza, is located in a privileged area, 700 meters from the center and less than 30 minutes walking from the Kursaal Congress Centre and Auditorium where the films of the San Sebastián International Film Festival will be screened. We also offer parking, a library area, and bicycle rental service, as well as a private collection with over 160 artworks distributed throughout the space. Booking through our official website not only guarantees the best price, but also allows you to cancel free of charge until 6 p.m. the day before your arrival with the flexible unrestricted rate. If you are a lover of the seventh art, you cannot miss the best hotel deals in the city so you can enjoy the incredible San Sebastián Film Festival like never before. Book before anyone else!
