Overview

• Esther García received the Donostia Award from Pedro and Agustín Almodóvar, becoming the festival’s first producer honoree and urging an end to the violence in Gaza.
• The producer highlighted persistent male dominance in decision-making at platforms and television, framing her recognition as a push for broader industry change.
• The gala paid tribute to the late Marisa Paredes, whose image fronts this year’s poster, with a musical salute by Izaro and words from Cayetana Guillén Cuervo.
• Pedro Almodóvar ended his remarks with “Viva Palestina libre,” and Juliette Binoche called for an end to the massacres in Palestine, drawing strong audience response.
• On Saturday, Eduard Fernández accepted Spain’s National Cinematography prize in San Sebastián wearing a Palestinian scarf and read the names of children killed in Gaza.