Why go
The festival connects international films with the city's own cinema spaces, notably Kursaal and Victoria Eugenia Theatre. Its sections have included new directors, Latin American film, Basque filmmaking and retrospectives, offering more than a single competition. Check the current programme and ticket details before choosing screenings.
The full story
The festival began in the 1950s with a focus on Spanish-language cinema, then widened its scope to films in other languages. That shift helps explain the range of work associated with it: a main competition sits alongside selections devoted to emerging filmmakers, Latin American films, Basque productions and earlier cinema. The Golden Shell names its leading film award. For a visitor, the festival is a chance to see how different cinema traditions meet in one city, rather than simply to watch an awards ceremony. Kursaal and Victoria Eugenia Theatre are recurring points of orientation in the city centre. Individual sections and screening spaces can change, so use the year's programme to choose a film and allow time to move between venues.