The San Sebastian International Film Festival (SSIFF) 2025 has firmly established itself not only as a Spanish film festival but also as a crucial bridge for European cinema in general and, to some extent, for Asian cinema, although the latter varies depending on annual production and the corresponding selection of titles. According to Festival Director José Luis Rebordinos, the selection of titles must emphasise the most recent international productions, with a clear preference for French cinema and global cinema generally, in addition to Asian cinema from the continent’s major film industries. The programme map demonstrates the significant and growing impact of Asian cinema on audiences, whose presence continues to grow exponentially each year. Furthermore, an uneven balance in selection is often overcome by the sheer excellence of certain productions. Asian cinema was prominent in the Official Section as well as in other areas of the festival, showing a clear preference for Chinese and Japanese cinema, as is usual. While this fact may be particularly evident this year, it is important to remember that there is no specific limit on the number of productions screened, given that the festival is open to the cultures of the world and all geographical areas. Consequently, the SSIFF strengthens connections and aims to be a first-rate event that is hard to rival in our country. The SSIFF has positioned itself alongside major European festivals, such as Cannes, Rotterdam, Berlin, Locarno, and Venice, and is a benchmark both domestically and internationally, annually reflecting the state of global cinema.

The history and continuity of these festivals are a guarantee for an industry that has been altered by the creation of platforms and other means of communication. For context, the San Sebastian International Film Festival was founded in 1953 as the International Film Week, and this year marks its 73rd edition. The Venice Film Festival was founded in 1932, initially as a Mostra to raise awareness and promote Italian cinema. The Locarno International Film Festival, also founded in 1946, remains one of the oldest. The Berlinale was founded in 1951 in West Berlin to overcome the devastation of the Second World War, and its programme, like that of the Rotterdam Film Festival (founded in 1972), shares an interest in promoting independent cinema and inclusiveness, covering geographical areas often overlooked by other international festivals. The San Sebastián International Film Festival is one of the key European festivals to watch, both for its programme and for everything it inspires and generates. Notably, of those mentioned here, it is the last of the year, conferring the advantage of bringing together the most recent productions seen at leading festivals, or those yet to be seen anywhere. The festival has become a national and international benchmark in the industry, communication, and press sectors, successfully connecting producers, distributors, directors, and actors and actresses with all audiences during the nine days, from the start to the closing ceremony and awards ceremony.