Jennifer Lawrence became the youngest recipient of the Donostia Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival, where she used her platform to warn that “our freedom of speech is under attack in America.”
The 35-year-old Oscar winner presented her new film Kill Me Love, which she also produced, and encouraged young filmmakers to persist in their craft: “Learn, go to casting tests, keep trying. But above all, watching films is very important.”
Reflecting on women’s roles in Hollywood, she praised creators like Greta Gerwig for broadening perspectives: “When we are given the opportunity, the world benefits, because more stories are told.”
Lawrence, whose career includes The Hunger Games, Don’t Look Up, Joy, and The Bright Side of Things, now adds the Donostia Award to her accolades, joining past honorees like Penélope Cruz, Julia Roberts, and Viggo Mortensen.
This year’s festival was also defined by strong political messages. Thousands protested in support of Palestine at the opening, while filmmakers and actors used the stage to condemn the war in Gaza. From Juliette Binoche to Pedro Almodóvar, participants denounced the violence and called cinema a tool for justice.
Lawrence’s award ceremony highlighted both her celebrated career and the festival’s role as a platform for global political and cultural debate.
