After Venice, Busan and San Sebastián: 316 films in Korea, Rebordinos's final edition in Spain

The festival season does not end at the Lido. The two events that follow the Mostra already have their programs closed and presented, and it is worth looking at them together because they tell of two different festival models.

Busan: 316 films, 59 countries

The Busan International Film Festival reaches its thirty-first edition and will be held from October 6 to 15, 2026. The presentation took place on September 1 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in the Jung-gu district of Seoul. Four of the organization’s top officials appeared before the press: Jung Han-seok, executive director, together with Park Kwang-su, who chairs the board of directors; with them, deputy executive director Park Ga-eon and Kim Young-duk, who heads the market.

The program figures: 316 films, of which 247 titles officially invited, coming from 59 countries. Screenings take place at the Busan Cinema Center, the CGV Centum City and the Lotte Cinema Centum City. The opening film is directed by Kim Jong-kwan.

The main recognition for a career figure goes to actress Michelle Yeoh, named Asian Filmmaker of the Year 2026: a special program with four films will be dedicated to her, three of which she personally chose plus one new title.

On September 4 the festival issued two press releases: the presentation of the Doc Square program of the Asian Contents & Film Market, with 16 works in progress and two new awards, and the signing of an official sponsorship agreement.

San Sebastián: two Donostia Awards and a handover

The Zinemaldia in San Sebastián, in its seventy-fourth edition, will be held from September 18 to 26, 2026 in the Basque city. Two Donostia Lifetime Achievement Awards: to Werner Herzog, during the opening gala — the accompanying screening, at the Teatro Victoria Eugenia, will be of his latest film “Bucking Fastard,” with Rooney Mara, Kate Mara, Orlando Bloom and Domhnall Gleeson —, and to Naomi Watts on Saturday, September 19 at the Kursaal, where she will present “The Housewife,” the directorial debut of Canadian filmmaker Ben Shirinian.

The Official Selection opens with the world premiere of “Geister/Ghost Song” by Fatih Akin, announced on August 19.

The most significant institutional development, however, does not concern the lineup: this is the final edition directed by José Luis Rebordinos, who is retiring. From January 2027 the direction passes to Maialen Beloki, appointed in April 2026. The edition’s poster, presented on June 3 at Tabakalera, is dedicated to Argentine actor Ricardo Darín, 2017 Donostia Award winner.

Thirty-one titles with Basque production are taking part: 26 feature films, one medium-length film, one short film, two series and one project in production. The retrospective of the Klasikoak initiative is dedicated to French filmmaker and writer José Giovanni. Staggered ticket sales begin on September 13 at 9 a.m. for the days of September 18, 19 and 20.

The Donostia/San Sebastián City Audience Award, reserved for films in the Perlak section, is worth 50,000 euros for the best film and 20,000 for the best European film, awarded to the distributor in Spain: it is one of the few festival awards that directly funds those who bring the film to theaters.

What we don’t know

We do not have the complete list of films in competition at Busan, nor the composition of the two festivals’ juries. We do not know the selection criteria for the 247 invited titles, nor their breakdown by country.

Three dates are confirmed: San Sebastián from September 18 to 26, Busan from October 6 to 15, and the handover of the Zinemaldia’s direction to Maialen Beloki in January 2027.

Sources: Edaily; Busan International Film Festival; Festival de San Sebastián; Kulturklik (Basque Government); 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival — Wikipedia; festival box office; awards regulations.