Focused on Grammy Award Winning C. Tangana, Movistar Plus Original ‘This Excessive Ambition’ Drops Trailer, Poster (EXCLUSIVE)

Liza Foreman SAN SEBASTIAN — Legendary Spanish writer-director Victor Erice received a standing ovation from a packed press conference on Friday, ahead of receiving the festival’s Donostia Award tonight. The award ceremony for San Sebastian’s accolade for career achievement follows on from the San Sebastian screening this morning of his first feature film in 30 years, “Close Your Eyes,” which, already pre-sold to France’s Haut et Court, world premiered in Cannes Premiere in May with the Basque director notably absent. “Close Your Eyes” sparked highly positive reviews.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent “Telefónica has been leading by innovation,” says Omdia’s María Rua Aguete of Movistar Plus’ parent, one of Europe’s biggest telecoms. In June, Telefónica launched the Experience Design Lab, a Madrid-based innovation center that includes a gaming room with the latest AR and VR technology and games. Its LaCabina, a permanent exhibition, allows visitors to experience first hand latest advances in 5G, IoT, big data, cloud, edge, AI and cyber security.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent In 2017, Movistar Plus, Spain’s biggest SVOD-pay TV player, rocked the San Sebastian Festival, the highest-profile movie event in Spain and Latin America region, with “The Plague,” the biggest series ever made in Spain. Movistar Plus, owned by Telefónica, looks set to make waves again at this week’s San Sebastian by world premiering another big, bold series: “La Mesías.” It’s written, directed and produced by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo – known in Spain as Los Javis – marking their follow-up to overseas breakout “Veneno,” a raunchy but highly grounded bio of Spanish trans icon Cristina Ortiz.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Mediawan Rights has unveiled the first teaser of the anticipated “Zorro” series reboot which is directed by Javier Quintas (“Money Heist,”“Sky Rojo”) and is set to premiere on opening night of Mipcom. Produced by leading Spanish company Secuoya Studios, the show marks the IP’s big television comeback almost two decades after its last live-action adaptation. The Spanish-language series will have its premiere screening at Mipcom on Oct.

Bad Bunny is back with new music!

Anna Marie de la Fuente Barcelona-born director Carla Simón, whose sophomore film “Alcarràs” clinched the 72nd Berlinale Golden Bear last year, received the 2023 National Cinematography Award, one of the highest honors bestowed by Spain’s Ministry of Culture. On hand to present the award in a ceremony held at the San Sebastian Film Festival was Miguel Iceta, Spain’s Minister of Culture and Sports, who first addressed Simón in Catalan before switching to Spanish: “With only two feature films, you have left your mark on the recent history of cinema in our country: a short but undisputed trajectory in terms of its strength and personality, recognized both nationally and internationally.

The Latin Grammys have announced their 2023 nominees. Mexican-American songwriter and producer Edgar Barrera leads the pack with 13 nominations, followed by four Colombian artists — Shakira, Karol G, Camilo, and the composer Kevyn Mauricio Cruz (aka Keityn) — with seven each.

The San Sebastian International Film Festival has long been considered the most intimate of the A-list festivals, neatly wrapping up a hectic fall festival season as delegates descend on the enchanting seaside city in Northern Spain. But in the last few years, the event has cemented itself into a festival reputed for championing new talent and emerging voices across all sections of its programming.  

Spanish cinema has undoubtedly been making a strong imprint on the international film festival circuit throughout the last few years and, crucially, there’s a new wave of female filmmakers that are driving this charge. 

The Latin Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards today, with the roster headed by producer and songwriter Édgar Barrera with 13 nominations.

Following up on his two acclaimed horror directorial efforts, “Before The Fall” and his entrée into Hollywood with the “Rings” franchise, Spanish director F. Javier Gutiérrez returns to Spain and takes us on the disturbing journey of a man who loses everything to evil with “The Wait” (“La Espera”).

Shakira and Karol G just took home one of the most coveted awards at the MTV VMAs. The two Colombian stars received the VMA for Best Collaboration for ‘TQG,’ taking the stage during an emotional moment, sharing how proud they are of representing their home country and making the audience go crazy.SHAKIRA’S EPIC VMA PERFORMANCE: CROWD SURFING, KNIVES, AND HYPNOTIC HIPSTAYLOR SWIFT MOVES HER HIPS AND DANCES TO SHAKIRA DURING HER VMAS PERFORMANCESHAKIRA AND HER SONS SASHA AND MILAN STUN AT THE VMAS IN MATCHING VERSACEThe pair were all smiles holding hands as they approached the stage, with Karol G wearing a gray sheer dress and Shakira wearing a baby blue satin dress.

Shakira was honored at the MTV VMAs 2023 with the Video Vanguard Award for her career in music. Ahead of accepting the special Moon Person trophy, the Colombian superstar performed a medley of her greatest hits.

Shakira crowdsurfed as she collected the Video Vanguard award at the 2023 MTV VMAs, which are taking place at New Jersey’s Prudential Center tonight (September 12).The Colombian star performed at the ceremony before picking up the trophy, delivering an extended medley featuring some of her biggest hits in both English and Spanish.Among the setlist were the likes of ‘She-Wolf’, which was sat in a cave, Rauw Alejandro collaboration ‘Te Felicito’, ‘Ojos Asi’, her verse from Karol G’s ‘TQC’, ‘Whenever, Wherever’, ‘Hips Don’t Lie’, and her recent viral hit ‘Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53’.Wyclef Jean introduced the star as she collected the award, calling her a “one-of-a-kind voice”.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Mipcom, the Cannes-set international TV showcase, will pay tribute to Arthur Essebag, the well-known French TV host and founder of Satisfaction Group. Essebag will receive the international format awards at a gala ceremony on Oct. 15.

The TIFF Tribute Awards took place and Pedro Almodóvar acknowledged the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes while accepting an award.

Spanish soccer player Alejandro Balde, currently in the running for a prestigious soccer prize called the Golden Boy, has attracted the ire of Taylor Swift fans over comments dismissing the singer's music that he may not have even made. Every year, the Golden Boy is awarded to a young footballer that a panel of experts are tipping to excel in the future. Balde, who plays for Barcelona and the Spanish national team, is among this year's nominees but has seen his chances of winning take a hit after a group of Swifties launched a social media campaign aimed at harming his place in the contest.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Javier Bardem, winner of a San Sebastian 2023 Donostia Award for career achievement, is putting back his on-stage acceptance of the distinction until the 2024 San Sebastian Film Festival. The postponement is due to the “limits imposed under the strike called by the U.S. Actors Union (SAG-AFTRA),” the San Sebastian Festival announced Friday.

French filmmaker Claire Denis has been announced as the jury president for the Official Section of the 71st San Sebastian Film Festival, running from September 22-30.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Sean “Diddy” Combs, the entrepreneur, executive, Bad Boy Records founder and artist, is set to receive the Global Icon Award and perform at MTV’s 2023 VMAs, airing live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, September 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.