San Sebastián Film Festival opens with Herzog honored and Akin premiere

The 74th edition of the San Sebastián International Film Festival has officially commenced in Spain. The opening ceremony featured several high-profile moments, including the presentation of the Donostia Award to German director Werner Herzog. Herzog, who received the honor from actor Orlando Bloom, expressed his deep connection to the Basque community and used the platform to issue a warning regarding the potential risks of artificial intelligence.

The festival opened with the world premiere of ‘Ghost Song’ (Geister), a fantasy drama by Fatih Akin. Akin described the film as a poetic exploration of love and loss. The official competition includes 17 films vying for the Golden Shell, representing a diverse range of international cinema.

Political themes were also present during the opening. Hosts expressed solidarity with filmmakers regarding the situation in Gaza. Additionally, Argentine singer and actress Lali Espósito drew significant media attention upon her arrival at the festival. She wore a T-shirt with the message ‘Las Malvinas son argentinas’, a statement regarding Argentine sovereignty that quickly went viral on social media. Espósito is in San Sebastián to support the film ‘Glaxo’, which is part of the official selection.