Jennifer Lawrence became the youngest performer to receive the Donostia Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, honoured for a career that already includes an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a global fan base. At 35, she reflected on her path while presenting her new film Kill Me Love, where she also served as producer.
“It’s a huge honour,” Lawrence said, before voicing concern about cultural freedoms in the United States. “Our freedom of speech is under attack in America, including in the world of film, where we realise that we are all connected and need empathy and freedom.”
She encouraged aspiring filmmakers to persevere: “Learn, go to casting tests, keep trying. But above all, watching films is very important.” She also highlighted women’s growing influence in Hollywood, praising directors like Greta Gerwig for showing the benefits of diverse perspectives.
Lawrence’s award ceremony unfolded against a backdrop of political protest. Throughout the festival, thousands demonstrated in support of Palestine, while filmmakers and actors used the stage to condemn the war in Gaza. Figures including Juliette Binoche, Jafar Panahi, and Spanish directors publicly denounced Israeli actions, while Eduard Fernández read out the names of Palestinian children killed in the conflict.
The festival, marked both by Lawrence’s recognition and by strong political statements, underscored cinema’s role as a platform for resistance, empathy, and collective conscience.
