Javier Bardem Honored with Donostia Award, Earns Heartfelt Ovation at San Sebastian Film Festival

SAN SEBASTIAN – Javier Bardem received a standing ovation at the opening of the 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival as he took to the stage to finally collect the prestigious Donostia Award originally awarded to him in 2023. After missing last year’s ceremony due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Bardem was the star of Friday evening, warmly welcomed by the audience, including his wife, Penelope Cruz.

The festival opened with a heartfelt tribute to Bardem by his sister, Mónica, and brother, Carlos, who took the stage to present him with the award. “He’s a better human being than an actor, a better son, a better brother, a better father, and a better friend. If Javier loves you, he inhabits you. Being in his heart is something very beautiful.” she shared.

The emotional accolades continued with Bardem’s career-long acting coach and friend, Juan Carlos Corazza, who praised the actor’s dedication to his craft: “He has the courage to go further. He opens his heart to light and shade, to the pain and joy of his characters.” 

When Bardem took the stage, the crowd stood, showering him with a lengthy ovation. “San Sebastian is a place where, 30 years ago, I won an award that I still don’t believe they gave me.”

He grew emotional as he spoke about his family, his mother, Pilar, his wife, Penelope, and their children, whom he addressed with affection as he stared into the camera: “This is for my kids… Leo and Luna, I love you, and this” —[holding up the gong]— ”I’ll bring it to you tomorrow.”

The gala’s hosts, comedians Berto Romero and Andreu Buenafuente, kept the tone light and playful. Joking about the festival’s picturesque settings, they quipped that perhaps film festivals should be held in “properly ugly cities” to draw people into theaters. The evening was punctuated with sketches poking fun at the intellectual posturing of actors, including one moment where a Basque dancer feigned a kick that ‘bloodied’ Buenafunte’s nose.

In addition to Bardem’s honor, the Fipresci Prize was awarded to Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Poor Things” early in the evening. Brazilian critic Eli Bittencourt presented the award, which was collected by Disney Spain’s Manuel Muro. Muro thanked the festival, adding the award gives confidence to trust challenging films that look to inspire and connect.