The 73rd San Sebastián International Film Festival, running from September 19 to 27, 2025, will open with the world premiere of Netflix’s Argentinian family drama 27 Nights, directed by Uruguayan filmmaker and actor Daniel Hendler, and close with the Polish period neo-noir thriller Winter of the Crow, helmed by Kasia Adamik. These selections, announced on September 1, 2025, signal the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse, high-caliber stories with global resonance, while subtly reflecting broader industry and cultural currents. 27 Nights will compete in the official selection, while Winter of the Crow screens out of competition, each bringing distinct flavors to a festival renowned for its eclectic Spanish and international lineup.
27 Nights, based on Natalia Zito’s novel inspired by a real-life case, stars Hendler alongside Marilú Marini as an 88-year-old millionaire forcibly interned in a psychiatric ward by her daughters, a premise ripe with emotional and ethical tension. Hendler, who won Berlin’s Best Actor award for The Lost Embrace, directs and acts in this Netflix-backed project, produced by Buenos Aires’ La Unión de los Ríos, the outfit behind the Oscar-nominated Argentina, 1985. The film’s selection as the opening gala on September 19 underscores its anticipated quality and serves as a gesture of solidarity with Argentina’s film industry, which faces challenges amid shrinking state support. Its narrative, blending family drama with social critique, aligns with San Sebastián’s tradition of spotlighting Latin American voices, as seen in Hendler’s additional festival entry, A Loose End, in the Horizontes Latinos section.
Closing the festival on September 27, Winter of the Crow, directed by Kasia Adamik, is a Poland-Luxembourg-U.K. co-production that premiered at Toronto’s Platform competition. Starring Lesley Manville as a London-based academic caught in Poland during the 1981 imposition of martial law amid the Solidarity movement, the film is a gripping cat-and-mouse thriller. Co-written by Adamik and based on a short story by Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk, it’s produced by Wild Mouse Production, Film Produkcja, Iris Productions, and Film and Music Entertainment, with Hanway Films handling sales. Its closing-night slot suggests broad audience appeal, blending historical weight with neo-noir suspense, and complements San Sebastián’s reputation for championing Eastern European cinema. The film’s Cold War setting and Manville’s star power position it as a crowd-pleaser with potential awards-season traction.
The selections reflect strategic curatorial choices. 27 Nights not only highlights Netflix’s growing investment in Latin American storytelling but also underscores San Sebastián’s role as a platform for regional industries under pressure, echoing its history of showcasing films like Argentina, 1985. Winter of the Crow taps into the festival’s knack for balancing arthouse depth with accessible narratives, much like past closers that have leveraged historical drama for universal impact. Both films join a vibrant lineup, including Joachim Lafosse’s Six Days in Spring, Juliette Binoche’s directorial debut IN-I In Motion, and Spanish titles like J.A. Bayona-produced Un Fantasma en la Batalla, reinforcing San Sebastián’s status as a hub for diverse cinematic voices.
The festival will also honor Jennifer Lawrence and Pedro Almodóvar’s producer Esther García with Donostia Awards, adding star power to a program that spans thrillers, historical epics, and intimate dramas. From 27 Nights’ exploration of autonomy and betrayal to Winter of the Crow’s tense historical intrigue, San Sebastián 2025 promises a dynamic start and finish, setting the stage for a season of cinematic discovery and potential Oscar contenders.
The Pop Blog general news and updates, mostly from press releases and conferences.