San Sebastian Festival Debuts Ten Basque Productions Competing for Irizar Award

San Sebastian International Film Festival

The 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival, a prominent cultural event in Spain, is set to spotlight Basque cinema with a strong representation of 20 productions across various sections. These include ten world premieres competing for the prestigious Irizar Basque Film Award, which offers a 20,000 euro prize to the winning producers.

The Zinemira section, dedicated to Basque cinema, will be opened by Raúl de la Fuente’s non-fiction work "Los Williams," which explores the lives of Athletic Club de Bilbao’s Williams brothers. De la Fuente, known for his award-winning "Another Day of Life," returns to the festival with this compelling narrative that delves into themes of identity, racism, and success.

The section will close with Carmen Chaplin's "Chaplin | The Spirit of the Tramp," a feature debut that uncovers the Romany heritage behind her grandfather Charlie Chaplin's iconic character, The Tramp. This film promises a deep, personal look into Chaplin's legacy, supported by intimate interviews and rare footage from the Chaplin estate.

In addition to these highlights, the Zinemira section will present eight other films, all competing for the Irizar Award. Among them is Arantxa Aguirre’s "Ciento volando," which commemorates the centenary of sculptor Eduardo Chillida, and Pello Gutiérrez's "Erreplika," a personal reflection on loss and memory.

The festival's Basque presence extends beyond Zinemira, with Basque productions featured in the Official Selection, New Directors, Perlak, and other prominent sections. Notable entries include Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s "Querer," a drama exploring the complexities of marriage, and the animated short "Etorriko da" by Izibene Oñederra, which addresses environmental crises.

This year's Zinemira Award, an honor recognizing outstanding contributions to Basque cinema, will be presented to actress Elena Irureta. With a distinguished career spanning theater, television, and film, Irureta has been a pivotal figure in Basque and Spanish cinema. Her acclaimed role in the series "Patria" has earned her numerous accolades, making her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

San Sebastian's celebration of Basque cinema is a testament to the region's growing influence in the global film industry. The festival not only showcases new talent but also honors the rich cultural heritage that continues to inspire filmmakers. The 72nd edition promises to be a landmark event, celebrating the best of Basque cinema on an international stage.

Complete List of Selected Basque Films at the 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival

Zinemira Section
Competing for the Irizar Basque Film Award

1. "Los Williams" (The Williams) / Raúl de la Fuente / Spain
   Opening Film
2. "Chaplin | Espíritu Gitano" (Chaplin | Spirit of The Tramp) / Carmen Chaplin / Spain, UK, Netherlands, France
   Closing Film
3. "Ciento volando" / Arantxa Aguirre / Spain
4. "Erreplika" (Replica) / Pello Gutiérrez Peñalba / Spain
5. "Ese mundo que no te da nada" (That World That Gives You Nothing) / Ernesto del Río / Spain
6. "Esto no es Hollywood (La historia inacabada de los hermanos Ibarretxe)" (This Is Not Hollywood: The Unfinished Story of The Ibarretxe Brothers) / Jone Ibarretxe de la Cal, Nere Falagan Martin / Spain
7. "Los poderes de Lolo" / Miguel Alba Rico, Nino Fontán Allen, Itziar Bernaola Serrano / Spain
8. "Zortzitik infinitura" / Naia Laka Arrizubieta / Spain
9. "Indarkeriaren oi(h)artzunak" (Let It Know) / Amaia Merino, Ander Iriarte / Spain
   Out of Competition

Official Selection

1. "Soy Nevenka" (I Am Nevenka) / Iciar Bollain / Spain
   Competing for the Irizar Basque Film Award
2. "Querer" / Alauda Ruiz de Azúa / Spain
   Not in Competition

New Directors

1. "Azken erromantikoak" (The Last Romantics) / David Pérez Sañudo / Spain
   Competing for the Irizar Basque Film Award, Kutxabank-New Directors Award, and Youth Award

Zabaltegi-Tabakalera

1. "Etorriko da (Eta zure begiak izango ditu)" (When It Comes: It Will Have Your Eyes) / Izibene Oñederra / Spain
   Short Film

Perlak

1. "Marco" / Jon Garaño, Aitor Arregi / Spain
   Closing Film, Out of Competition

Nest

1. "El tercer paisaje" (The Third Landscape) / Julen Etxebarria / Spain
   Short Film

Culinary Zinema

1. "El hoyo 2" (The Platform 2) / Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia / Spain
   Closing Film, Out of Competition

Made in Spain

1. "Nina" / Andrea Jaurrieta / Spain

Velodrome

1. "Go!azen" (Season 11) / Itziar Gómez / Spain
   Musical Series

Movies for Kids

1. "Robotia" / Diego Cagide, Diego Lucero / Argentina, Spain, Costa Rica
   Animated Film

EiTB Gala

1. "Itsatsita" / Jon Rodríguez / Spain
   Musical Series