Z365" or "Festival all year round" is the new strategic point of the Festival in which converge investigation, accompaniment and development of new talents (Ikusmira Berriak, Nest); training and cinematic knowledge transfer (Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola, Zinemaldia + Plus, Filmmakers' dialogue); and investigation, disclosure and cinematic thought (Z70 project, Thought and Discussion and Research and publications).
If in 2020 the opening gala was centred on the concept of distance, this year the launch of the 69th San Sebastian Festival at the Kursaal will revolve around hugging, together with the Donostia Award for the French actress Marion Cotillard. For the second year running, the dancer Jon Maya will direct the opening ceremony from a script by Harkaitz Cano and Ane García, with Luis Mari Moreno Urretavizcaya as musical director for yet another year.
Cano explained that, “We’d like the opening gala to help reduce the distance to that hug we’re so desperate to enjoy but are still waiting for”. In addition, Marion Cotillard will receive the Donostia Award for her career in a gala which will also serve once again to present the FIPRESCI Grand Prix.
Carlos Saura will present his short film Rosa rosae. La Guerra Civil . A Spanish Civil War Elegy, before the screening of the first film competing in the Official Selection, Yi miao zhong, directed by Zhang Yimou. The gala will be broadcast live on La 2, ETB1, eitb. eus and on the Festival website.