Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar was deeply moved, stating he was brought to tears, as he accepted the honorary Donostia Award at the San Sebastián Film Festival on September 27, 2024. The festival, which has been held since 1968 in Spain's Basque Country, recognized Almodóvar's distinctive visual style and influential career.
At 75, Almodóvar expressed his gratitude, saying, "Cinema has given me everything." He emphasized that filmmaking is both a blessing and a curse, stating he cannot imagine a life without writing and directing. The Donostia Award was one of the few accolades missing from his extensive collection, which includes two Oscars, five Goya Awards, and four César Awards.
Earlier in September, Almodóvar also won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for his English-language debut, "The Room Next Door," which is currently screening at San Sebastián. He reflected on his 23 films, noting that while some are better than others, they all belong to him, calling it a privilege. The festival runs until September 28, with additional honors awarded to actress Cate Blanchett for her three-decade career in film.