Read out by San Sebastián Festival Director, José Luis Rebordinos and Head of Communications Ruth Pérez de Anucita as the festival revealed on Friday full details of its 73rd edition’s attending stars and directors, the festival statement against Gaza genocide comes two days after organisers of the Vuelta de España, Spain’s equivalent of the Tour de France, halted the cycling race three kilometres from its finish in neighbouring Bilbao out of safety concerns as massed peaceful Gaza protestors threatened to spill over barricades into the cyclists’ path.
Protesters, many older adults, were calling for the expulsion of the Israel-Premier Tech team which was stopped last week during a time trial by activists holding Palestinian flags.
San Sebastián has a long tradition as a focus of pro-democracy protest under Franco and, after democracy was won in general elections of 1977, of screening political and social issue movies. Friday’s press conference turned on the presence of stars and star directors at San Sebastián. The statement served as a counterweight to the glam and high art focus.
About the Genocide in Gaza
The Management Committee of this Festival defends the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We also believe it is necessary to make a general call in favour of democracy and to raise the alarm regarding its fragilities in the face of the authoritarian… pic.twitter.com/LrWkkl2Tsn
— Donostia Zinemaldia – Festival de San Sebastián (@sansebastianfes) September 5, 2025
Presided over by “Society of the Snow” and “Peaky Blinders” director J.A. Bayona, San Sebastián’s main competition jury takes in directors Laura Carreira and Gia Coppola, actor Zhou Dongyu, actor-singer Lali Espósito, actor Mark Strong and producer Anne-Dominique Toussaint.
Of stars, Jennifer Lawrence will pick up a career achievement Donostia Award, San Sebastian’s highest honor, on Sept. 26, before presenting Lynne Ramsay’s Cannes competition player “Die My Love,” featuring one of the fullest-on performances of her career.
As of now, San Sebastian Festival could not confirm whether Angelina Jolie, star of Golden Shell contender “Couture,” would make the festival.
Expected are Colin Farrell, for Edward Berger’s Macau-set “Ballad of a Small Player,” and Matt Dillon, for Claire Denis’ “The Fence” plus a litany of auteurs, taking in Juliette Binoche (for directorial debut, “In-I In Motion”), Richard Linklater (“Nouvelle Vague”), Olivier Assayas (“The Wizard of the Kremlin”) and Walter Salles, “I’m Still Here” having won 2025’s the Fipresci Grand Prix for best film of the year, which will be presented to Salles in person at San Sebastián’s opening gala on Sept. 19.