Spanish government pledges €500,000 to strengthen San Sebastián Festival's industry program
Spain’s Ministry of Digital Transformation will fund the San Sebastián Film Festival’s industry events with a €500,000 grant and raise the top startup prize to €30,000.
Under a new agreement, Spain’s Ministry of Digital Transformation and Civil Service will solely sponsor the San Sebastián Film Festival’s industry activities, allocating €500,000 to back the Creative Investors’ two-morning conference and a Ministry-run audiovisual forum on September 20. The award for the Zinemaldia Startup Challenge will be lifted to €30,000, encouraging tech-focused pitches. Festival leaders Mikel Lejarza and José Luis Rebordinos note that the event has become an informal market attracting top Spanish and French sales agents and Latin American filmmakers.
Industry attendance hit a record 2,411 last year, and the upcoming conference expects participants from firms such as Acme AI & VFX, Black Bear International, Media Capital Technologies, MUBI, Neon, Studiocanal and Sumerian Pictures. The funding aligns with Spain’s broader €1.6 billion Audiovisual Hub of Europe plan, which includes SETT’s €215 million venture investments. Ministers Oscar López and Rebordinos said the sponsorship will reinforce Spain’s audiovisual infrastructure and boost international financing opportunities.
Why it matters
The funding strengthens Spain’s film sector and positions San Sebastián as a key European audiovisual hub.
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