Naomi Watts says older women are finally getting stronger roles at the San Sebastián Festival

At the San Sebastián Film Festival, Naomi Watts accepted the Donostia Award and used the platform to argue that opportunities for women over 50 have improved, citing the recent surge of older actresses among Emmy nominees such as Rhea Seehorn, Jean Smart and Allison Janney. She recounted being told early in her career that acting prospects end at 40, yet she is now in her late 50s and still working. Watts promoted the festival’s showcase of Ben Shirinian’s first feature, The Housewife, where she portrays a Holocaust-era immigrant navigating post-war America.

She warned that the world’s current turmoil, including the war in Palestine, makes storytelling about minorities and historical trauma more urgent. Emphasizing her commitment to LGBTQ and other minority communities, Watts said she will continue to support inclusive narratives on screen. The festival runs from September 18 to 26.