{"id":3798,"date":"2026-09-07T11:26:57","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T11:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topafoodtours.com\/?p=3798"},"modified":"2026-09-07T11:59:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T11:59:35","slug":"zinemaldia-2026-the-ultimate-guide-to-enjoy-san-sebastian-during-film-festival-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topafoodtours.com\/es\/zinemaldia-2026-the-ultimate-guide-to-enjoy-san-sebastian-during-film-festival-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Zinemaldia 2026: the ultimate guide to enjoy San Sebastian during film festival week"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ZINEMALDIA. San Sebastian International Film Festival \u00b7 September 18\u201326, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

For nine days every September, San Sebasti\u00e1n stops being a beach town and turns into something closer to a small, walkable Cannes. Zinemaldia \u2014 the San Sebasti\u00e1n International Film Festival \u2014 is celebrating its 74th edition this year, running from <\/span>September 18 to 26, 2026<\/b>, and if you happen to be here for it, it changes the whole rhythm of the city. Bars fill up later. Conversations at the next table are about a film you haven’t seen yet. Gros neighborhood, especially, turns into one long, unofficial after-party.<\/span><\/p>\n

We get asked about this every year by guests planning their trip, so here’s our honest version \u2014 not the press release.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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What Zinemaldia actually is\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Founded in 1953, Zinemaldia is one of only fourteen “Category A” festivals in the world, in the same bracket as Cannes, Venice, and Berlin \u2014 and the most prestigious festival in the Spanish-speaking film world. The top prize is the Concha de Oro (Golden Shell), with Conchas de Plata (Silver) awarded to direction, screenplay, cinematography, and performances.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year’s poster face is Argentinian actor Ricardo Dar\u00edn, a two-decade regular at the festival. The honorary (San Sebastian Prize) Premio Donostia \u2014 recognizing a lifetime of work \u2014 goes to German director <\/span>Werner Herzog<\/b>, presented during the opening gala at the Kursaal. The festival opens on September 18 with the world premiere of Fatih Akin’s <\/span>Geister (Ghost Song)<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>
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<\/span>Naomi Watts, <\/b>one of the most talented and celebrated actresses of her generation, will receive the prestigious Donostia Award on Saturday, September 19, during a gala ceremony at the Kursaal. The acclaimed actress and producer will attend the 74th edition of the San Sebasti\u00e1n International Film Festival to present <\/span>The Housewife<\/span><\/i> (La esposa perfecta), which marks the feature directorial debut of Canadian filmmaker Ben Shirinian.<\/span><\/p>\n

Find the full official program here:<\/span> sansebastianfestival.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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HOW TO GET TICKETS<\/span><\/h2>\n

You don’t need an industry badge to watch films \u2014 most of the program is open to the public, but it sells fast, so a little planning goes a long way.<\/span><\/p>\n