Mike Leigh’s dramatic comedy, Tender Loving Care, secured a commanding victory at the 74th San Sebastian International Film Festival, claiming three of the event’s most prestigious honors, including the coveted Golden Shell for Best Film. The awards ceremony, which concluded the festival’s run from September 18-26, also saw significant recognition for the film’s lead actress, Kate O’Flynn, who earned a Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance, alongside Leigh himself for Best Screenplay. The festival also celebrated Spanish sensation La Bola Negra and Israeli production NAZA with enthusiastic audience awards, underscoring a diverse array of cinematic achievements.
Leigh’s Poignant Triumph with ‘Tender Loving Care’
The British filmmaker’s latest work, Tender Loving Care, emerged as the undisputed critical darling of the festival. Beyond the Golden Shell for Best Film, the jury recognized Leigh’s profound storytelling by awarding him the Jury Prize for Best Screenplay. Kate O’Flynn’s compelling portrayal of the film’s central character was lauded with a Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance, an honor she shared with Asta Kamma August for her work in Hans Petter Moland’s Growth of the Soil. This shared recognition highlighted the exceptional talent showcased across the competition.
Earlier in the festival, Leigh had shared with reporters that Tender Loving Care would likely mark his final directorial effort. Citing a "practical matter to do with my medical condition – a physical condition," his comments added a poignant layer to the film’s success, suggesting a farewell triumph for one of cinema’s most revered independent voices. The film’s narrative, characterized by Leigh’s signature blend of social realism and deeply human drama, resonated strongly with critics and the jury alike.
International Recognition for Diverse Voices
The awards distribution at San Sebastian underscored the festival’s commitment to showcasing a global spectrum of cinematic talent and narratives. Asta Kamma August, sharing the Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance with O’Flynn, was recognized for her role in Growth of the Soil, a film that also garnered the Jury Prize for Best Cinematography for Oskar Dahlsbakken’s evocative visual work.
The Silver Shell for Best Director was awarded to Sweden’s Amanda Kernell for her powerful film, Brace Your Heart. Kernell dedicated her prize to the Sami culture, a reindeer-herding community whose struggles are central to her film. She emphasized the critical role of cinema in providing a platform for "those without a voice" and fostering empathy among audiences, drawing attention to a "living culture facing immense stress." Ah Biao’s Border received the Special Jury Prize, acknowledging its distinctive artistic merit and narrative impact. Spanish actor Javier Cámara was honored with the Silver Shell for Best Supporting Performance for his role in Javier Ruiz Caldera’s 5 More Minutes, celebrating local talent amidst international competition.
Audience Favorites Resonate Deeply
While the main jury bestowed its accolades, the festival’s audiences made their preferences clear through the Audience Awards in the Pearls section. Spanish sensation La Bola Negra (The Black Ball), co-directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, captivated viewers, earning the City of Donostia / San Sebastian Audience Award. The film, which opened in Spanish theaters shortly before the festival’s close, is already generating significant Oscar buzz. Co-director Javier Calvo expressed his gratitude, telling the audience the film was made for them and expressing delight that "people are once again saying, ‘Long live Spanish cinema!’"
The City of Donostia / San Sebastian Audience Award for Best European Film went to NAZA, directed by the Israeli duo Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. This recognition highlighted the film’s resonance with European audiences and its contribution to contemporary cinema from the continent. Both audience awards reflected the festival’s mission to connect films with a broader public, fostering engagement and cultural dialogue.
Stars and Cinematic Legacies Honored
The 74th edition of the San Sebastian Film Festival was not only a celebration of new cinema but also a tribute to established legends, drawing an array of international stars to the coastal city. Naomi Watts was presented with a lifetime achievement Donostia Award earlier in the week by Spanish director J.A. Bayona, who had previously directed her in The Impossible. Watts dedicated her award to the late David Lynch, acknowledging his profound impact on her career, particularly his casting of her in the iconic film Mulholland Drive. Lynch passed away in January 2025, making Watts’ dedication a poignant moment of remembrance.
Filmmaker Werner Herzog received the other Donostia Award during the festival’s politically charged opening night ceremony. British actor Orlando Bloom, whose arrival in San Sebastian caused a stir on social media with images of him splashing in the sea, presented the award. Bloom was also spotted dining with Brad Pitt, adding to the festival’s celebrity magnetism. Pitt himself spent several days in San Sebastian, walking the red carpet for his new film, Heart of the Beast. He notably spent the duration of his official film screening outside the Kursaal Theater, engaging with a massive crowd of fans, signing autographs, and posing for photographs, demonstrating a direct connection with his admirers. Other top talents gracing the festival included Penelope Cruz, Jeremy Irons, Diego Luna, Marion Cotillard, and Rami Malek. Danny Boyle’s Venice opener Ink, announced as the festival’s "surprise film" on September 24, also made a significant appearance.
A Changing of the Guard for San Sebastian
This year’s festival marked a significant transition in its leadership. Jose Luis Rebordinos, the current festival director, oversaw his final edition, concluding a impactful tenure. He will be succeeded in the 75th annual edition by Maialen Beloki, who will make history as the event’s first-ever female director. This change heralds a new era for the prestigious festival, signaling a commitment to evolving leadership and perspective within the cinematic world.
The festival’s poster prominently featured Argentine acting legend Ricardo Darín, a deliberate nod to San Sebastian’s deep and enduring connections with Latin American cinema. This year’s edition further solidified these ties, with close to 100 titles from various Latin American countries represented across the festival’s diverse sections, affirming its role as a vital platform for showcasing the region’s vibrant film industry.
The Full Roster of Accolades from the 74th San Sebastian International Film Festival:
The festival’s comprehensive awards celebrated a wide spectrum of cinematic excellence, from established masters to emerging talents across various categories:
- Golden Shell for Best Film: Tender Loving Care, directed by Mike Leigh.
- Silver Shell for Best Director: Amanda Kernell, for Brace Your Heart (original Garrat du Vaimmu).
- Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance: Shared by Kate O’Flynn for Tender Loving Care and Asta Kamma August for Growth of the Soil (original Markens grøde).
- Silver Shell for Best Supporting Performance: Javier Cámara, for 5 More Minutes (original 5 minutos más).
- Jury Prize for Best Cinematography: Oskar Dahlsbakken, for Growth of the Soil.
- Jury Prize for Best Screenplay: Mike Leigh, for Tender Loving Care.
- Special Jury Prize: Ah Biao, for Border (original Bian jing).
- City Of Donostia / San Sebastian Audience Award: The Black Ball (original La Bola Negra), directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi.
- City Of Donostia / San Sebastian Audience Award For Best European Film: NAZA, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.
- FIPRESCI Grand Prize: Paul Thomas Anderson, for One Battle After Another.
- New Directors Award: Naemi Ada, for Body of Glass.
- Horizontes Latinos Award: Alessandra Sanguinetti, for La Ilusión de un Verano Sin Fin.
- Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Award: Jane Schoenbrun, for Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.
- Euskadi Basque Country 2030 Agenda Award: Ashes (original Ceniza en la boca), directed by Diego Luna.
- Tabakalera Film And Audiovisual Laboratory-Nest Award: Shared by Erased from the Map (original Dihapus Dari Peta) by Maarij Reka (Indonesia) and Nobody Barks (original Ningu Borda) by Julia Coldwell Serra (Spain).
- Irizar Award for Basque Cinema: Elisa Oliarj-Ines, for Txakun Txakur.
- SGAE Award for Best Music: Amine Bouhafa, for Milo (original 7h40 ce Matin-la).
- Culinary Zinema Award: Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw, for Burgundy.
The 74th San Sebastian International Film Festival concluded as a vibrant showcase of global cinema, celebrating both the poignant artistry of Tender Loving Care and the diverse storytelling that continues to captivate audiences and critics worldwide. With a new director on the horizon, the festival solidifies its enduring legacy as a premier international platform for film.
