Varda and Bellucci to receive Donostia Awards

John Malkovich to head jury

by Amber Wilkinson

Filmmaker Agnes Varda will be honoured in San Sebastian
Filmmaker Agnes Varda will be honoured in San Sebastian Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival

Belgian filmmaker Agnès Varda and Italian star Monica Bellucci have been announced as recipients of Donostia Awards at this year's San Sebastian Film Festival. It ends a good week for Varda, 89, who has also been announced as the first female director to receive an honorary Oscar, which she will receive on November 11.

They will join Argentine actor Ricardo Darín, previously announced as a recipient, at the festival, which runs from September 22 to 30.

Actress honoured with lifetime achievement accolade
Actress honoured with lifetime achievement accolade Photo: Courtesy of San Sebastian Film Festival

The festival has also announced the jury members for its 65th edition. Actor, writer and director John Malkovich will head the panel deciding on the Golden Shell. He will be joined by Argentine actor Dolores Fonzi (Truman), British director William Oldroyd, who won the FIPRESCI award for Lady Macbeth at last year's festival, Spanish actress Emma Suárez (Julieta), Italian producer and screenwriter Paula Vaccaro (Ginger And Rosa), Italian cinematographer Fabio Cianchetti (Hungry Hearts) and a jury member still to be confirmed.

In honour of Bellucci, the festival will screen Malena and Under Suspicion. Varda's Faces Places will also screen at the festival.

Share this with others on...

Movies out this week include:

Is This Thing On? Nouvelle Vague Primate Rabbit Trap
News

Home truths Marijana Janković on Balkan representation, and the immigrant question of belonging

The division belle Suzannah Herbert on facing the US' troubled history and making Natchez

Spin-off alchemy Claude Schmitz on bringing back cop pairing for Conrad & Crab – Idiotic Gems

Past crime Christoffer Boe on creating a world for his period mystery Special Unit - The First Murder

It Was Just An Accident screenwriter arrested in Iran Jafar Panahi speaks out

Sundance announces winners Josephine, Nuisance Bear, Shame And Money and To Hold A Mountain take top prizes

More news and features

Interact

As we move into 2026, don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.

With awards season in full flow, you can keep track of the latest news on that here:

César nominations Nouvelle Vague leads the race for France's biggest awards

BAFTA nominations One Battle After Another and Sinners almost neck and neck

Critics' Circle Awards One Battle After Another wins fight

Oscars Sinners dominates the nominations