71 San Sebastián Film Festival: “The Rye Horn” Takes Best Film

The 71st San Sebastián International Film Festival concluded with a grand celebration of cinematic excellence, as the coveted Golden Shell for Best Film was awarded to the locally produced masterpiece, “The Rye Horn” (original title: “O Corno”). Directed by San Sebastián native Jaione Camborda, the film’s gripping storytelling and emotional depth left a lasting impact on the festival’s audience and jury alike.

Homegrown Triumph

Jaione Camborda‘s “The Rye Horn” is a poignant drama set in the 1970s, depicting the journey of a midwife forced to flee Galicia, Spain, to Portugal under tragic circumstances. Camborda’s win marked a significant moment in the festival’s history, as she became the first Spanish woman to claim the prestigious Golden Shell. The filmmaker expressed her gratitude to her cast and crew and her determination to normalize female directors winning such accolades.

Acting Brilliance

In the acting category, Marcelo Subiotto and Tatsuya Fuji shared the Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance. Subiotto’s outstanding portrayal as a philosophy professor battling for a coveted position in “Puan” and Fuji’s touching performance in “Great Absence” as a father reconciling with his estranged son both earned them well-deserved recognition.

Top Directorial Talent

The Silver Shell for Best Director was bestowed upon Tzu-Hui Peng and Ping-Wen Wang for their work on the Taiwanese production “A Journey in Spring”. This poignant drama revolves around a lonely widower who preserves his late wife’s memory in a unique way.

Screenplay Excellence

María Alché and Benjamín Naishtat secured the Best Screenplay Award for their script in “Puan” a co-production spanning Argentina, Brazil, and several European countries.

Supporting Brilliance

Hovik Keuchkerian‘s portrayal in Isabel Coixet’s “Un amor“earned him the Silver Shell for Best Supporting Performance.

Audience Favorites

The festival’s audience award for best film went to J.A. Bayona’s gripping Netflix real-life survival thriller “Society of the Snow”. Additionally, Matteo Garrone’s migration drama “Io Capitano“ was voted as the best European film at the festival by the San Sebastián viewers.

Full List of Winners:

Competition:

• Golden Shell for Best Film: “The Rye Horn” – Jaione Camborda (Spain/Portugal/Belgium)
• Silver Shell for Best Director: Tzu-Hui Peng, Ping-Wen Wang – “A Journey in Spring” (Taiwan)
• Special Jury Prize: “Kalak” – Isabella Eklöf (Denmark/Sweden/Norway/Finland/Greenland/Netherlands)
• Silver Shell for Best Lead Performance (ex aequo): Tatsuya Fuji – “Great Absence” (Japan), Marcelo Subiotto – “Puan” (Argentina/Brazil/France/Germany/USA)
• Silver Shell for Best Supporting Performance: Hovik Keuchkerian – “Un amor” (Spain)
• Best Screenplay: María Alché, Benjamín Naishtat – “Puan”
• Best Cinematography: Nadim Carlsen – “Kalak”

New Directors:

• Kutxabank-New Directors Award: “Bahadur the Brave” – Diwa Shah (India)

Zabaltegi-Tabakalera:

• Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Award: “The Human Surge 3” – Eduardo Williams (Portugal/Netherlands/Argentina/Taiwan/Brazil/Peru/Sri Lanka/Hong Kong)
• Special Mention: “The Trial” – Ulises de la Orden (Argentina/Norway/France/Italy)

Horizontes Latinos:

• Horizontes Latinos Award: “The Castle” – Martín Benchimol (Argentina/France/Spain)

Nest:

• The Mediapro Studio Nest Award: “Amma ki katha” – Nehal Vyas (India) (short film)
• Special Mention: “Entre les autres” – Marie Falys (Belgium) (short film)

Culinary Zinema:

• Best Film: “The Taste of Things” – Tran Anh Hung (France)

Other awards:

• Irizar Basque Film Award: “Sultana’s Dream” – Isabel Herguera (Spain/Germany)

Eusko Label Award:

• First Prize: “Latxa” – Mikel Urretabizkaia (Spain) (micro short)
• Second Prize: “Soroborda” – Paolo Tizón (Spain) (micro short)
• Audience Award: “Society of the Snow” – Juan Antonio Bayona (USA/Spain)

Audience Award for Best European Film:

• “Me Captain“ – Matteo Garrone (Italy/Belgium)

TCM Youth Award:

• “The Blue Star” – Javier Macipe (Argentina/Spain)

FIPRESCI Award:

• “Fingernails“ – Christos Nikou (USA)