Event Details
74th San Sebastián International Film Festival 2026
The 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival (SSIFF) takes place from 18 to 26 September 2026 in Donostia-San Sebastián, in the Basque Country of northern Spain. One of the world's most prestigious competitive film festivals and fully accredited by FIAPF, it draws over 150,000 cinema-goers and approximately 5,000 film industry professionals each year to this elegant coastal city. Directors, actors, producers and critics from every continent fill the streets of the Old Town, turning San Sebastián into one of Europe's most vibrant cultural destinations for nine days each September.
Program and Sections
The 2026 program spans a wide range of competitive sections and special showcases. The festival's centrepiece is the Official Selection, screened at the Kursaal Auditorium (K1), where feature films compete for the coveted Golden Shell (Concha de Oro) and Silver Shell (Concha de Plata).
- Official Selection: International competition films at Kursaal K1
- New Directors: First and second features by emerging filmmakers
- Horizontes Latinos: Competition dedicated to Latin American cinema
- Perlak: Festival highlights not yet released in Spain
- Zabaltegi-Tabakalera: Open, eclectic selection of outstanding world cinema
- Culinary Zinema: Screenings paired with themed gala dinners
- Made in Spain and Zinemira: Spanish and Basque productions
- Movies for Kids: Children's program with current premieres
- Retrospective: 2026 edition dedicated to filmmaker José Giovanni
- Velodrome Open-Air Cinema: Outdoor screenings at the Antonio Elorza Velodrome
Awards
The festival's top honour is the Golden Shell for best film in the Official Selection. Additional prizes include the Kutxabank New Directors Award (€50,000 shared between the director and the Spanish importer), the Make and Mark Horizontes Award, and the City of Donostia Audience Award. The honorary Donostia Award, presented since 1986 to outstanding careers in cinema, will be given in 2026 to Jennifer Lawrence. The Oscar-winning actress will receive the distinction at a gala ceremony on 26 September at the Kursaal, followed by a screening of her latest film.
Venues
The festival uses multiple cinemas and cultural venues across the city:
- Kursaal Centre (Avenida de Zurriola 1): Main venue with K1 and K2; hosts the Opening, Closing and Donostia Award Galas
- Teatro Victoria Eugenia: Historic Art Nouveau theatre for galas and special screenings
- Teatro Principal
- Cines Príncipe and Antiguo Berri
- Trueba Cinema
- Tabakalera (International Centre of Contemporary Culture): Zabaltegi section and Nest short films
- Velódromo Antonio Elorza: Open-air cinema for special evening screenings
Tickets and Prices
Tickets start from €8.75 per screening. Opening and Closing Gala tickets at Kursaal K1 cost €80 (General Zone) or €95 (Zone B). The Donostia Award Gala costs €50 to €55. Standard K1 afternoon screenings are priced at €8.75 (General Zone) or €10.50 (Zone B). Children's screenings are available from €2.00. Velodrome pre-sales open on 18 August, Culinary Zinema dinner packages on 28 August, and Gala tickets from 2 September. The main staggered sale begins on 13 September. All tickets can be purchased online via the official festival website and at the Zinemaldi Plaza ticket desks from 9 September 13 onwards. A processing fee of €0.65 applies per ticket online and at ticket offices.
Discounts
- 10 or more tickets in one purchase: 25% discount on €8.75 tickets
- Kutxabank Gazte Card: 50% discount on up to two tickets per screening
- Donostia Kultura Card: 10% discount at ticket offices (up to two tickets per card)
- Daily newsletter subscribers receive 50% discount offers on selected screenings
Visitor Tips
- Book tickets for Galas and popular screenings as early as possible; tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable except in cases of cancellation.
- The K1 Official Selection full package including all Galas can be requested via [email protected] until 2 September, subject to availability.
- Book accommodation in San Sebastián well in advance; hotel demand far exceeds supply during festival week every year.
- Arrive at Kursaal K1 and K2 at least 30 minutes before your screening; at all other venues, 15 minutes before the start.
- Latecomers are not admitted once a screening has begun.
- If you cannot attend, cancel your ticket at least 30 minutes in advance so that other visitors can take your place.
- Public transport (RENFE or Euskotren) is strongly recommended; parking in the Old Town area during the festival is extremely limited.
