The San Sebastián International Film Festival (SSIFF) returned for its 73rd edition from September 19–27, 2025, bringing the world of cinema to the Basque city’s emblematic theaters and its unmistakable coastal atmosphere. Known for its blend of glamour, political resonance, and cultural diversity, the festival once again affirmed its place as a cornerstone of European and international film culture.

Founded in 1953, SSIFF has grown into one of the most prestigious A-list festivals, not only for its Golden Shell competition but also for its unique ability to combine art cinema and popular appeal. The 2025 edition embraced this tradition with a program that wove together stories of migration, identity, ecological crisis, and intimate human drama, proving that San Sebastián remains a space where cinema mirrors pressing global conversations.

The Golden Shell for Best Film was awarded to a work that challenged audiences with both formal daring and emotional depth, consolidating the festival’s reputation for celebrating films that speak both to the intellect and the heart. Awards for Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress reflected a growing attention to new cinematic geographies, highlighting talent from regions that often remain underrepresented on the global stage.

Golden Shell – Best Film: Sundays (Alauda Ruiz de Azúa)

Special Jury Prize: Good Valley Stories

Silver Shell for Best Director: Joachim Lafosse, Six Days in Spring

Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance: Zhao Xiaohong (Her Heart Beats in Its Cage) & José Ramón Soroiz (Maspalomas)

Silver Shell for Best Supporting Performance: Camila Pláate (Belén)

Jury Prize for Best Cinematography: Pau Esteve Birba (Los Tigres)

Jury Prize for Best Screenplay: Joachim Lafosse, Chloé Duponchelle & Paul Ismael (Six Days in Spring)

Donostia Awards (honorary): Esther García & Jennifer Lawrence

Euskadi Basque Country Agenda 2030 Award: The Voice of Hind Rajab

Beyond the competition, SSIFF 2025 showcased Pearls, its section dedicated to acclaimed films from other international festivals, alongside Horizontes Latinos, which continues to spotlight the richness of contemporary Latin American cinema. Special tributes and lifetime achievement awards honored figures whose work has profoundly influenced cinematic history, underlining the festival’s commitment to memory and legacy.

San Sebastián is also about the city itself: screenings at the Kursaal, walks along La Concha Bay, and the blend of Basque culture and international dialogue that define the atmosphere of the festival. For filmmakers and cinephiles alike, SSIFF is not just a place to watch films—it is a meeting ground where cinema and place intertwine, where stories from around the world find resonance in a city that has always embraced the sea as its horizon.

As the 2025 edition came to a close, the festival reaffirmed its role as a space of cinematic discovery, cultural exchange, and human connection, a reminder of how festivals can both celebrate cinema’s past and illuminate its future.

More information to be found at https://www.sansebastianfestival.com/in/