Sebastian

JA Bayona Leads Star-Studded Jury at the 73rd San Sebastián International Film Festival

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San Sebastián, Spain — The San Sebastián International Film Festival has unveiled the juries for its 73rd edition, which is scheduled from September 19 to 27. The festival recently finalized its program, generating excitement among filmmakers and cinephiles alike. Spanish director J.A. Bayona will lead the Official Selection jury. Bayona, an illustrious figure who previously competed with films like The Impossible and A Monster Calls, earned the City of Donostia – San Sebastián Audience Award earlier this year for his Oscar-nominated work, Society of the Snow. His jury will include American filmmaker Gia Coppola, recognized … Read more

Gia Coppola’s ‘The Last Showgirl’ Captivates at San Sebastián, Secures Special Jury Prize Amid Star-Studded Acclaim

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San Sebastián, Spain – Gia Coppola’s film “The Last Showgirl” garnered significant recognition at the 2024 San Sebastián Film Festival, claiming the Special Jury Prize. The event, a fixture in Spain’s Basque Country, showcased an array of global cinema from Sept. 20-28. The film, lauded for its profound character portrayals and a sensitive narrative, delves into the life of a seasoned Las Vegas showgirl facing the abrupt end of her long-standing stage career. The festival’s jury highlighted the movie’s ability to capture the essence of impending obsolescence in a profession, noting its evocative and nuanced … Read more

Albert Serra’s ‘Afternoons of Solitude’ Clinches Golden Shell at 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival

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San Sebastian, Spain – The San Sebastian Film Festival, now in its 72nd year, concluded recently with Albert Serra’s “Afternoons of Solitude” clinching the Golden Shell award for best film. This documentary, which delves into the world of bullfighting, features Peruvian-Spanish bullfighter Andrés Roca Rey and has received acclaim for its intense and raw portrayal of the sport’s underbelly. “Afternoons of Solitude” stood out among a variety of compelling entries in this year’s festival, including notable narrative features by filmmakers such as Joshua Oppenheimer and Edward Berger, and a dystopian musical by Mike Leigh titled … Read more

Documentary ‘Afternoons of Solitude’ Wins Top Prize at San Sebastian Film Festival, Upsetting Major Narrative Films

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San Sebastian, Spain — In a surprising turn at the prestigious San Sebastian Film Festival, the documentary “Afternoons of Solitude” by Spanish director Albert Serra clinched the Golden Shell for Best Film. Distinguished from a lineup replete with narrative films, Serra’s contemplative examination of bullfighting set it apart in this year’s main competition. The prize was awarded by a jury led by last year’s winner, Spanish filmmaker Jaione Camborda, alongside acclaimed international figures such as Ulrich Seidl, Christos Nikou, and Fran Kranz. The documentary focuses on Peruvian matador Andrés Rey Roca, presenting a raw portrayal … Read more