San Sebastian Film Festival 2026: 7 Keys to Zinemaldia, Red Carpet Glamour & Kursaal Screenings

Introduction: Donostia and the Magic of the San Sebastian Film Festival.

In mid-September, Donostia transforms into the global capital of cinema with the celebration of the prestigious San Sebastian Film Festival (Zinemaldia). Classified as a Class A festival by FIAPF alongside Cannes, Venice, and Berlin, this event gathers the most influential directors, actors, producers, and critics from the international film industry on the Cantabrian coast. For the thousands of cinephiles and travelers arriving in the city, immersing themselves in the San Sebastian Film Festival represents an unparalleled experience where the glamour of Hollywood stars coexists with the warmth and hospitality of Donostia’s streets.

During the festival days, the entire city breathes cinema around every corner. Attending the San Sebastian Film Festival allows you to enjoy world premieres, discover independent film gems, and witness the award ceremonies for the coveted Donostia Awards and the Golden Shell. Visitors to the city for Zinemaldia discover a vibrant atmosphere where marathon screening sessions are complemented by coastal strolls and discussions on elegant terraces. The passion ignited by the San Sebastian Film Festival captivates both devotees of the big screen and those looking to soak up the cosmopolitan ambiance of the Gipuzkoan capital.

In this comprehensive guide, we reveal the 7 fundamental aspects to make the most of the San Sebastian Film Festival with total comfort, freedom, and elegance.

The Red Carpet and Cinematic Epicenter at the Kursaal.

The imposing Kursaal Congress Centre and Auditorium, designed by Rafael Moneo facing the Cantabrian Sea, stands as the nerve center of the San Sebastian Film Festival.

Its two translucent glass cubes host the opening and closing galas, as well as press screenings and premieres of the Official Selection of the film festival. Gathering alongside the outdoor red carpet of the auditorium is one of the most exciting experiences for followers of the San Sebastian Film Festival, as they await the arrival of renowned international filmmakers and performers. The festive atmosphere surrounding the auditorium solidifies the Kursaal as the modern symbol of the San Sebastian Film Festival.

Attending a morning or evening session in its grand auditorium allows one to appreciate the extraordinary projection and sound quality that distinguishes the San Sebastian Film Festival.

One of the festival’s most popular and unique venues is the Anoeta Velodrome, transformed during these dates into a gigantic screening room with a four-hundred-square-meter screen and capacity for nearly three thousand spectators. Morning sessions dedicated to school audiences and evening screenings of adventure films or live symphonic concerts by the Euskadi Symphony Orchestra create an unparalleled crowd atmosphere. This communion between the general public and the big screen demonstrates that cinema in Donostia is experienced with a collective passion that transcends conventional red carpets.

Iconic Screenings at the Victoria Eugenia and Principal Theatres.

Beyond the Kursaal, the city’s historic performing arts venues maintain the classic charm of the San Sebastian Film Festival.

The beautiful Victoria Eugenia Theatre, the festival’s original home since the 1950s, hosts the most anticipated screenings from acclaimed sections of the San Sebastian Film Festival such as Perlak or New Directors. Walking through its Neo-Plateresque doors to attend a film session evokes the golden age when legends like Alfred Hitchcock, Bette Davis, and Audrey Hepburn graced Zinemaldia. A short distance away, the Principal Theatre and Príncipe Cinemas in the Old Town expand seating options for the loyal audience of the San Sebastian Film Festival.

The close proximity between these historical venues makes it easy to organize a film marathon on a single day of the San Sebastian Film Festival.

The presentation of the Donostia Awards in the main auditorium constitutes another highlight of each edition. Established in 1986 to recognize the careers of extraordinary figures who have left an indelible mark on cinema, this honorary award has paid tribute to living legends such as Meryl Streep, Pedro Almodóvar, Ethan Hawke, Sigourney Weaver, and Ian McKellen. The emotion conveyed by the acceptance speeches and the standing ovations from the Donostia audience are part of the most beautiful sentimental memories of the festival.

The Walk of Stars Between the Hotel María Cristina and the Boulevard.

The pedestrian axis connecting the stately Hotel María Cristina with the Urumea River and the Boulevard captures the attention of admirers of the San Sebastian Film Festival.

This historic Belle Époque hotel, the official residence of distinguished guests, becomes the epicenter of glamour during the film festival. Watching film crews depart for photo shoots on the hotel terraces is a daily spectacle during the San Sebastian Film Festival. Strolling through the adjacent gardens and across the Santa Catalina Bridge allows you to feel the media frenzy generated by the San Sebastian Film Festival in the very heart of the city.

The architectural elegance of the riverside setting enhances the unique photographic appeal that the San Sebastian Film Festival projects to the world.

Film-Worthy Gastronomy: The Pintxo Route Between Screenings.

Miniature gastronomy plays a leading role in the daily routine of those attending the San Sebastian Film Festival.

Between film screenings, the traditional bars of the Old Town (Parte Vieja) and the Gros neighborhood fill with accredited professionals and cinephiles debating the Golden Shell contenders at the San Sebastian Film Festival. Tasting shrimp skewers, txangurro tarts, or braised beef cheeks in red wine, accompanied by a Getaria txakoli, is the indispensable gastronomic pairing of the film festival. Restaurants in the area adjust their hours to offer quality quick meals to San Sebastian Film Festival attendees.

Discussing plot twists in the taverns of 31 de Agosto street is an inseparable part of the San Sebastian Film Festival’s ritual.

Director Encounters, Masterclasses, and Cinema at Tabakalera.

The Tabakalera International Centre for Contemporary Culture, located in the former tobacco factory of Egia, provides the educational and experimental dimension to the San Sebastian Film Festival.

This impressive cultural center hosts the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera section, as well as round tables, masterclasses with cult filmmakers, and industry meetings within the framework of the San Sebastian Film Festival. For film students and emerging directors, this space represents an irreplaceable educational meeting point during Zinemaldia. Furthermore, its panoramic terrace offers clear views over the city, making it an ideal refuge to rest between San Sebastian Film Festival conferences.

The dialogue between contemporary art and audiovisual language enriches the reflective dimension of the San Sebastian Film Festival.

At the end of the evening galas, the areas around Zurriola beach and the terraces of the Gros neighborhood maintain a vibrant atmosphere where independent filmmakers, accredited journalists, and fans share impressions about the aesthetic choices of the competing films. The reflection of Moneo’s illuminated cubes on the Cantabrian waves and the nocturnal sea breeze create a fascinating natural backdrop that prolongs the magic of cinema until the early hours in the area’s designer bars and cultural cafes.

Practical Urban Mobility Guide During the Festival.

Pedestrian mobility and efficient public transport allow for agile movement between all venues of the San Sebastian Film Festival.

Mode of Transport	Recommended Options	Advantages for the San Sebastian Film Festival
Walking	Pedestrian routes between Kursaal, Victoria Eugenia, and Príncipe.	Connect in less than 10 minutes at the San Sebastian Film Festival.
Urban Buses (Dbus)	Lines 5, 9, 13, 21, 26, and 28 (stops on Boulevard).	Quick access to San Sebastian Film Festival venues.
Public Bicycles (Dbizi)	Stations at Kursaal, Boulevard, and Tabakalera.	Eco-friendly transfers during the San Sebastian Film Festival.
Smart Lockers	Locking Donostia (Automated 24/7 Service).	Maximum physical freedom at the San Sebastian Film Festival.

Walking along the Urumea River is the most comfortable and pleasant way to connect the San Sebastian Film Festival screening rooms.

Conclusion: Experience the San Sebastian Film Festival Hands-Free with Locking.

Rushing between consecutive screenings, accessing the Kursaal’s seating rows, waiting for your favorite actors on the red carpet, or enjoying pintxos in the Old Town demands maximum flexibility and comfort. To fully enjoy the magic of the San Sebastian Film Festival, carrying travel bags, heavy backpacks, or accreditation folders is extremely inconvenient, in addition to being restricted by security regulations for auditorium access.

So your only focus can be on enjoying the best films of the San Sebastian Film Festival, Locking offers you the leading network of automated lockers and smart luggage storage in the center of San Sebastian. Our facilities are strategically located just a few meters from the train station and a short walk from the Kursaal, Victoria Eugenia, and Príncipe Cinemas, allowing you to book your locker 100% digitally, quickly, and securely in less than 30 seconds.

If you’re visiting the city to experience the grand film celebration or have a few free hours before traveling after a day of screenings, we recommend you book your luggage storage in San Sebastian with Locking, leave your belongings in a safe space, and experience all the excitement of the San Sebastian Film Festival with absolute freedom and hands-free convenience!