Maialen Beloki, the festival's deputy director since 2016, has been unanimously appointed as the new director of Spain's San Sebastián International Film Festival. The first woman to lead the event, she will succeed José Luis Rebordinos—its longest-serving director after 16 years—on January 1, 2027. The decision follows a public call for candidates launched on March 4.
The Board of Directors—comprising San Sebastián City Hall, Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, Basque Government, and Ministry of Culture—made the unanimous decision in an extraordinary meeting. Rebordinos, director since 2011, announced his departure after this year's edition and will step down on December 31, 2026. Under his leadership, the festival grew in prestige, attendance, industry initiatives, and international partnerships, including the Proyecta showcase at Ventana Sur in collaboration with Cannes' Marché du Film.
Born in Donostia in 1983, Beloki has deep familiarity with the festival, contributing to initiatives like Z365, which extends activities year-round. This includes the Ikusmira Berriak residency for new talent, Nest shorts showcase, Elias Querejeta Zine Ezkola film school, and Artxiboa project for cinema knowledge and critical thinking. Her appointment ensures continuity in these efforts.
A University of Navarra graduate in audiovisual communication, Beloki holds a PhD cum laude in film theory, analysis, and documentation from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). She serves on the academic board of the Elias Querejeta Zine Ezkola, lectures there, taught at Mondragon Unibertsitatea, and contributed to Donostia/San Sebastián as European Capital of Culture 2016. The festival highlights her profile as strengthening experience and strategic vision for cultural development.
