Jennifer Lawrence was honoured with the Donostia Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival, becoming its youngest-ever recipient at 35. The Oscar-winning actress used the occasion to warn that “freedom of speech is under attack in America, including in the world of film.” She urged young filmmakers to persevere and highlighted the importance of empathy and diverse voices in cinema.
Presenting her latest film Kill Me Love, in which she also acts as producer, Lawrence praised creators like Greta Gerwig for proving the impact of women in Hollywood. With her production company Excellent Cadaver, she has supported social impact projects such as Zurawski v. Texas and Bread & Roses.
This year’s festival was heavily marked by political protest, with repeated calls from artists and audiences to “Free Palestine” and denouncements of the war in Gaza. Figures including Juliette Binoche, Jafar Panahi, Pedro Almodóvar and Eduard Fernández used the stage to condemn the violence and call for action.
Lawrence now joins an esteemed list of Donostia Award winners, including Penélope Cruz, Julia Roberts and Viggo Mortensen, her recognition crowning a politically charged edition of the festival.
