“All films about death are really films about life”

San Sebastian-born director Koldo Almandoz presents ‘The Last Goodbye’, an existentialist comedy shot entirely in Basque, which will have its world premiere in the Official Selection of the San Sebastian Film Festival.

“Identity is always at risk, but it always finds a way to survive”

Aitor Aranguren and Erik Suso are the director and producer, respectively, of the documentary ‘300 Oaks’. In the film, they explore the relationship between Basque cuisine, art and identity. Based on the story of the Mahaia Collective, the film reflects on these themes through a dialogue between gastronomy and other artistic disciplines. They will present their first feature film at the San Sebastian Festival, in the Zinemira section, where it will compete for the Irizar Award.

"What was still missing was a portrait that showed us Oteiza’s mask, not his face"

The number 14 runs throughout ‘Hamalau gau’: the film unfolds over fourteen nights, referring to Oteiza’s fourteen apostles, and it has also been fourteen years since his first visit to the San Sebastián International Film Festival. We spoke to the director about his latest film and his return to Donostia, where Hamalau gau will screen in Zabaltegi-Tabakalera.

“I wanted to get closer to the hibakusha, convinced that they are the ones who can best teach us the value of peace”

Director Maite Ibáñez presents 'Pedro Arrupe, I Survived the Atomic Bomb', a documentary that reconstructs the experience of the Basque Jesuit during the bombing of Hiroshima and, 80 years on, brings the testimonies of the bomb’s survivors back to the fore.

“The film achieves its aim if it makes us question whether we do enough for those who come to us seeking help”

Beñat Beitia, who co-directed ‘Winnipeg, Seeds of Hope’ with Elio Quiroga, discusses the film’s creative process, the decision to tell through animation the story of the ship that carried more than 2,000 Republican refugees to Chile, and the film’s international journey, which brings it to the San Sebastian International Film Festival after screenings in Shanghai and Annecy.

“After 13 seasons, we’re still here thanks to our close connection with our audience”

Xabi Zabaleta, scriptwriter of ‘Go!azen’, explains how the series has evolved alongside its audience without losing its essence, while highlighting its role as a gateway to Basque culture.

"Ander eta Yul' reflects the conflicts that were alive in Euskadi at the time, as well as in other places"

Ana Díez returns to the San Sebastian Festival with Ander eta Yul, her debut feature, restored almost four decades after its release, and receives the Basque Film Archive Award in recognition of her career.

Basque cinema in the spotlight at the San Sebastian International Film Festival

GAMBOA ZINEMALDIA IN VITORIA-GASTEIZ

November 18

ALVARO ARBINA, PRESIDENT OF THE ZINEMALDIA JURY

https://fcmagamboa.blogspot.com/2026/07/alvaro-arbina-gamboa-zinemaldiaren.html

The sea once again takes center stage in the ZERO ZABOR URETAN 2026 campaign, featuring CIMASUB and the best outdoor underwater film screenings

During the month of July, the Basque coast will once again become a major stage for raising environmental awareness with the seventh edition of ZERO ZABOR URETAN, an initiative led by the MATER Ecoactive Museum Ship, which will visit eight Basque ports with an extensive program of free activities open to the general public. Under the slogan “The best waste is the waste that isn’t generated” the campaign aims to raise awareness about the serious problem of marine debris and promote a change in habits that will help protect our seas.

‘Decorado’ wins the Paul Grimault Award, one of the top honours at Annecy, the world's leading animation festival

Alberto Vázquez's feature film caps off its outstanding international run, while 'Winnipeg, Seeds of Hope' and 'Hunger' reinforce the strong Basque presence at the animation industry's leading international event.

CIMASUB unveils the poster for its 50th edition, a tribute to those who made the history of underwater cinema possible

CIMASUB, the San Sebastián International Underwater Film Festival, has officially unveiled the poster for its 50th edition—a very special image with which the organization aims to commemorate half a century of history, outreach, and passion for the underwater world.

PRICE TO THE BASQUE LANGUAGE

The 2026 Gamboa Zinemaldia will once again partner with the Celedones de Oro association to award the short film that best showcases the Basque language. The association has supported the festival since its inception, and its prize—a Celedón statuette—is a highly sought-after award. The last winner in 2025 was the film Iturralde, by Jon Martija Leunda. Who will take home the prize in this fourth edition?

“THE TREE HOUSE” OPENS THE 32ND EDITION OF THE BILBAO FANTASY FILM FESTIVAL – FANT

FANT Bilbao takes place from today, May 8, until May 16.

SHOT IN ALAVA

GAMBOA ZINEMALDIA consists of two distinct sections. One of them is called SHOT IN ÁLAVA, which welcomes short films with a maximum duration of 5 minutes that showcase some aspect related to the environment of Álava, in documentary or fiction format. The prize is €200 plus a sustainable trophy. Short films can be submitted until August 31. Information at: https://filmmakers.festhome.com/festival/gamboa-zinemaldia

Gamboa Film Festival 2026: The cinema is back by the swamp of Ullibarri-Gamboa

The Gamboa Festival will hold a new edition on September 26, 2026, consolidating its commitment to Alavesa cinema, culture and the natural environment, and turning the Ullibarri-Gamboa reservoir into a meeting point for professionals, creators and the public.

Luca Keller Joins the International Jury for CIMASUB's 50th Anniversary Edition

Luca Keller, a renowned German-Italian underwater filmmaker and content creator, joins the jury of the 2026 edition of Cimasub, the Donostia-San Sebastián International Underwater Film Festival, in a particularly special year as the festival celebrates its 50th anniversary. His addition strengthens the international profile of the event and brings a contemporary perspective on underwater imaging from one of the most promising voices in the global sector.

ITURRALDE - JON MARTIJA. Winners in 2025

The short film "Iturralde," by Jon Martija Leunda from Tolosa, was the big winner of the 2025 Gamboa Film Festival. It's a great film, and Martija's work was very well received by the audience. Recently, the winner told the organizers of the 4th edition: "I have very special memories of your festival, it's wonderful! I hope to have a new project to present to the festival next year."

Jennifer Peedom: Grand Prize 2026 International Alliance for Mountain Film

The International Alliance for Mountain Film is proud to inform that its 2026 Grand Prize has been awarded to Australian director Jennifer Peedom