Bardem dedicates lifetime achievement award to wife Cruz

Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem on the red carpet Photo: San Sebastian Film Festival & Pablo Gomez

It was an emotional night for acting A-listers Javier Bardem and his wife Penelope Cruz as he was honoured with a Donstia Award for lifetime achievement at .

The Skyfall star was scheduled to receive the gong last year but was unable to collect it because of the Hollywood actors' and writers' strike.

The star paid fulsome tribute to the festival which he said had "given me so much, both personally and professionally". He also paid tribute to directors, including Bigas Lunas, on whose set of Jamon Jamon he first met his wife-to-be, although they wouldn't become an item until several years later. He also dedicated his award to members of his family, including his mum Pilar and siblings Mónica and Carlos, who were all present and his children Leo and Luma.

Javier Bardem with his Donostia Award Photo: San Sebastian Film Festival & Alex Abril

When it came to Penelope, however, he didn't hold back, saying: "To a woman I love with whom I have shared my life and a very deep gratitude for the human being who you are and how you really take responsibility for life, for the life of your children, for your family, for your mother, for your friends, for your own life, for the life of art, for the life of others, for many that you do not know, for those who suffer and those you care for and of course for the life of this man who is here telling you that he loves you, that he loves you and that he thanks you."

No wonder Penelope wiped away a tear or two.

The ceremony also saw presentation of the FIPRESCI Grand Prix 2024 to Poor Things, by Yorgos Lanthimos, chosen as Best Film of the Year by the International Federation of Film Critics. Brazilian critic Ela Bittencourt handed the award to Manuel Muro, director general of Walt Disney Studios in Spain.

The gala was followed by the world premiere of Emmanuelle, the latest movie from Audrey Diwan