San Sebastian International Film Festival Seeks New Festival Director: Apply Now!
The San Sebastian International Film Festival is seeking a new festival director and has opened applications for the position. The festival's executive board, consisting of the San Sebastian city council, the provincial council of Gipuzkoa, the Basque government, and the Spanish government's ministry of culture, announced the opening of applications. Candidates are required to have a university degree, proficiency in English, and the ability to communicate in Basque and Spanish, with knowledge of French being a plus.
The ideal candidate should have previous professional experience in managing audiovisual and creative companies, possess leadership skills, excel in team management, negotiation, and communication, and have knowledge of financial and budgetary matters. The recruitment process will be handled by human resources specialist firm Batea, with the selected candidate expected to take over from the current director, Jose Luis Rebordinos, starting January 1, 2027.
The announcement of the search for a new festival director coincides with discussions about the role of festival directors in the industry, particularly in Berlin, where the Berlinale is evaluating the future direction of the festival. Festival director Tricia Tuttle expressed her desire to continue in her position following recent discussions with German culture minister Wolfram Weimer. A group of 32 festival directors and programmers, including Rebordinos, voiced their support for Tuttle and emphasized the importance of festivals as platforms for freedom of expression.
In a related development, Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera recently secured a two-year extension to his tenure. The upcoming 2026 San Sebastian International Film Festival is scheduled to take place from September 18-26, marking Rebordinos's final edition as festival director. The festival is a prominent event in the film industry calendar, showcasing a diverse range of international cinema and attracting filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts from around the world.
In conclusion, the San Sebastian International Film Festival is seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to lead the festival into its next chapter. The new festival director will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the event and continuing its legacy of celebrating cinema and fostering creative expression. With the application process now open, aspiring candidates have the opportunity to contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape of the festival and make a meaningful impact on the global film community.