Naomi Watts will receive Donostia Award at 74th San Sebastián Film Festival

Award presentation at the Kursaal

Naomi Watts will receive the Donostia Award at the 74th edition of the San Sebastián Film Festival, which takes place from 18 to 26 September 2026. The British-born, Australian-raised actress and producer will accept the lifetime achievement accolade on Saturday, 19 September 2026, during an evening gala at the Kursaal Palace. Festival organizers present the award annually to recognize outstanding contributions to the film world. Watts is the second honoree announced for the 74th edition, following the early August announcement of German director, screenwriter, and producer Werner Herzog. Herzog will receive his award during the opening gala. General ticket sales for the opening ceremony, closing event, and Watts's award presentation begin on Tuesday, 1 September at 10:00.

Screening of The Housewife

Following the award ceremony on 19 September, the festival will host a presentation of The Housewife, released in Spanish as La esposa perfecta, with Watts in the starring role. The film marks the feature directorial debut of Canadian filmmaker Ben Shirinian, working from a screenplay by Alyssa Hill. Set in 1964 and based on a true story, the drama follows a young journalist who tracks down a potential former Nazi officer living secretly in New York and subsequently befriends the suspect's charming wife. The ensemble cast includes Tye Sheridan, Luke Evans, Michael Imperioli, and Lena Olin. Prior to its screening in San Sebastián, the production will hold its world premiere earlier in September at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Career milestones and festival history

The San Sebastián Film Festival praised Watts's broad range across studio productions and independent cinema.

Watts combines independent films with big productions on both the big and the small screen.

Watts achieved international acclaim with her performance in David Lynch's 2001 film Mulholland Drive. She has earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Actress: first for Alejandro González Iñárritu's 21 Grams (2003), in which she starred alongside Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro, and later for J.A. Bayona's disaster drama The Impossible (2012). Her work on 21 Grams earned nominations from BAFTA and the Screen Actors Guild, while The Impossible brought Golden Globe, SAG, and Critics' Choice nominations. She also secured a SAG nomination for St. Vincent alongside Bill Murray. Watts previously visited San Sebastián in 2009, when Rodrigo García's Mother & Child was selected to close the Official Selection out of competition.

Filmography and business ventures

Her filmography includes collaborations with filmmakers such as Peter Jackson on King Kong (2005), Gore Verbinski on The Ring series, David Cronenberg on Eastern Promises, and Michael Haneke on Funny Games, as well as Iñárritu's Academy Award Best Picture winner Birdman (2014). She has also worked with Clint Eastwood, Noah Baumbach, and Audrey Diwan. On television, Watts earned an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Babe Paley in Ryan Murphy's Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, with additional starring roles in The Watcher and The Loudest Voice. Beyond performing, she produced the independent title Ellie Parker after early screen roles including John Duigan's Flirting. In 2022, Watts founded the personal care company Stripes Beauty, and in 2025 published the New York Times bestselling book Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause.