The San Sebastián Film Festival has added six films to its 2026 Official Selection, all of them entering the competition for the Golden Shell at the festival's 74th edition, which runs September 18 through 26.
According to Variety, the additions include The Debut, the third feature directed by Jesse Eisenberg. The film stars Julianne Moore as a shy housewife whose small role in a community theater production turns her into an obsessive method actor. Paul Giamatti also stars. Eisenberg wrote, directed, and produced the film, appeared in it, and composed its original music and lyrics. The Debut will arrive at San Sebastián after a run at the Toronto International Film Festival, with A24 handling its US release.
A new adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables comes from French director Fred Cavayé. Vincent Lindon, Tahar Rahim, and Noémie Merlant lead the cast. The film follows Jean Valjean after 19 years in prison as he seeks redemption while being pursued by Inspector Javert. Studiocanal backed the production and handles international sales.
Swedish filmmaker Amanda Kernell's latest film, Brace Your Heart, follows a young woman fighting to preserve a reindeer herd inherited from her father while navigating love and betrayal. Produced by Nordisk Film Production and sold internationally by TrustNordisk, it will world premiere at Toronto before traveling to San Sebastián.
Brazilian filmmaker Gabriel Martins contributed his third feature, On Behalf of My Son, in which a woman seeks out families of people killed in an accident caused by her son. The film was produced by Filmes de Plástico in partnership with Netflix and will also premiere at Toronto.
Two feature debuts round out the new additions. Ah Biao's Border is set in a forgotten border town and follows a broke young miner drawn toward crime after meeting an enigmatic woman. Tony Vahl's Krux, starring Jella Haase, is inspired by true events and unfolds in a northeastern German village at the end of World War II. Global Constellation handles international sales for Krux, which will also play Toronto before San Sebastián.
The six join previously announced Golden Shell contenders from directors including Pablo Larraín, Mike Leigh, and Nicole Garcia. The full competition now stands at 16 films.
