the 50th zinemaldia koldo almandoz   The title is enough. This year’s edition’s nicely rounded off number is bound to have everybody’s tongue wagging. Everybody was tuned into what was going to happen at this year’s festival before last year’s edition had even finished. This year will especially witness a large influx of local and foreign visitors. Politicians and sponsors will eagerly snap up this chance to get their partners out of the house and the usual airheads will meet in the usual airhead places. Cinema, more so than any creative art form, has the uncanny ability to draw schmucks. We therefore hope that this year’s edition of Zinemaldia will not damage the true popular spirit it’s supposed to have. Even though it’s very difficult to keep everybody happy, let’s hope they aren’t blinded by the fact that it’s celebrating it’s fiftieth birthday. If they can maintain the standard shown over the last few years, that will be enough.There are three main retrospectives on offer this year as well as the usual sections (Official, Zabaltegi, Made in Spanish...)

50 from the 50s
50 significant films have been chosen from the fifties for this cycle. The films all have a special connection to the San Sebastian Film Festival, be it down to the actors, directors or for whatever other reason. "Cycle necessary for survival" is how it has been defined.

volker schlöndorff
The section dedicated to contemporary directors will feature the German director responsible for bringing the book “The Tin Drum” to the big screen. He was paid homage at The Habana Film Festival five years age and this year his films will be on show in Donostia.

michael powell
A hidden classic amongst European directors. We’ll be able to see “Peeping Tom” and other gems in the cycle on this English director. A question to finish up with: Does anybody know of anyone who actually likes the poster for this year’s edition?