FILMS from AFAR

Fresh off an Audience Award at San Sebastián (SSIFF), the top People’s Choice prize in Toronto and a Best Director award at Cannes for Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo, known in Spain as ‘Los Javis,’ La Bola Negra opens in US theaters on Oct. 16 and will stream on Netflix beginning Dec. 2 (marking the streamer’s longest-ever theatrical release). In Spain, the film has been a true phenomenon, reportedly outrunning The Odyssey in opening weekend pre-sales and already in the to

Mike Leigh’s ‘Tender Loving Care’ Sweeps San Sebastian Awards as ‘La Bola Negra,’ ‘NAZA’ Earn Audience Nods Amanda Kernell's 'Brace Your Heart' won the Swedish-Sami filmmaker the Silver Shell for best director as the Spanish film fest wrapped up its 74th edition, the last for outgoing director Jose Luis Rebordinos. This article originally ran in The Hollywood Reporter. Mike Leigh’s dramatic comedy Tender Loving Care took home three top awards at Saturday night’s closing cerem

There are plenty of examples of Spanish filmmakers confronting dark aspects of their country’s history under dictator Francisco Franco, who died in 1975. For international audiences, recent titles might come to mind like this year’s Cannes and Toronto sensation The Black Ball (La Bola Negra), which tells three interlocking tales of repressed gay love, or Pedro Almodóvar’s Parallel Mothers (Madres Paralelas), where Penélope Cruz’s character helps her village excavate a Civil W

San Sebastián Kicks Off in Spain (Sept 18-26) The San Sebastian International Film Festival (SSIFF) inaugurates its 74th annual edition in the northern Spanish city this weekend, with 263 films from 47 countries screening across its line-up. The Official Selection features 17 films making their world premieres outside their production territories and competing for the fest’s top Golden Shell prize, including new works from directors Jesse Eisenberg, Mike Leigh, Fatih Akin, Ni

Three Films in Competition, a Thriving Box Office and the Envy of Europe: Spain Is Having Its Moment From Almodóvar to a new generation of auteurs, Spain has arrived at Cannes 2026 in historic fashion — and the industry behind it has never been in better shape: "Spanish cinema is in a very exceptional situation right now." Spaniards may not crowd the streets by the tens of thousands to celebrate their auteurs the way they do their futbolistas, but there has been a palpable se

After 73 editions, SSIFF has quietly become one of the most respected names on the global film fest circuit, and as its longtime director prepares to step down, it has never looked stronger. If you’ve spent time on the film festival circuit, you’re probably aware of the “hidden gem” reputation of the San Sebastián International Film Festival. The “gem” part is easy to explain: global cinema, glittery stars, enthusiastic locals, a size that allows for real connections, world-r