You might well get a headache carousing splendidly at the San Sebastián International Film Festival (19-28 September 1996), but if you're a distributor you could solve another headache by having a film there: how to make your picture standout in Spain's ever-more cluttered release schedules.
The two competition films screened each day at San Sebastián attract at least a full-page coverage in national dailies, If a film comes to San Sebastián with stars attached, even better, It is probably no coincidence that two pictures which performed above expectations in 1995 in Spain - Fox's A Walk in the Clouds (US$6.4 million gross in Spain) and Braveheart (US$6.1 million) - both showcased at the festival with Keanu Reeves and Mel Gibson in attendance. For indie foreign titles, the principle benefit of a presence at San Sebastiàn is its gateway into the seventh largest film market in the world outside the US. According to AFMA member sales figures for July 1994-June 1995, total sales for Spain climbed 42%: theatrical was up by 11% to US$22.6 million; there was a rise of nearly 54% in free and pay TV, and an increase of 71% in video.
A prize at San Sebastián is especially valuable for non-Spanish films which come with no name directors or cast, or for Spanish films looking to boost sales abroad. While the Official Section is yet to be announced, several Spanish films look set to play at this year's edition: Carlos Saura's Taxi, Gracia Querejeta's second feature, the English-language Robert Ryland's Last Journey, Imanol Uribe's racial drama, Bwana, and one or both of Pilar Mirós last films, El perro del hortelano (The Dog in the Manger) and the romantic drama Tu nombre envenena mis sueños (Your Name Poisons My Dreams).
JOHN HOPEWELL
© 1996 - MOVING PICTURES INTERNATIONAL
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