San Sebastian Festival Slams Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli Government over Genocide in Gaza, as It Announces J.A. Bayona Lead Jury

Read out by San Sebastián Festival director, José Luis Rebordinos and Head of Communications Ruth Pérez de Anucita as the festival revealed on Friday full details of its 73rd edition attending stars and directors, the statement comes two days after organisers of the Vuelta de España, Spain’s equivalent of the Tour de France, halted the cycling race three kilometres from its finish in neighbouring Bilbao out of safety concerns as massed Gaza protestors threatened to spill over barricades into the cyclists’ path. 

San Sebastián has a long tradition as a focus of pro-democracy protest under Franco and, after democracy was won in general elections of 1977, of screening political and social issue movies. Friday’s press conference turned on the presence of stars and star directors at San Sebastián.  The statement served as a counterweight to the glam and high art focus.

More to come.