First awarded in 2000, the FIPRESCI Grand Prix is the federation’s highest honour, presented annually to the best film of the previous year (July through June). Selected through a two-phase global voting process open to all FIPRESCI members, the award is handed out each year at the opening ceremony of the San Sebastián International Film Festival. It has spotlighted some of the most talented contemporary filmmakers, with Paul Thomas Anderson and Aki Kaurismäki holding the record of three wins each.
List of Winners:
2025
I'm Still Here
Walter Salles
2024
Poor Things
Yorgos Lanthimos
2023
Fallen Leaves
Aki Kaurismaki
2022
Drive My Car
Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
2021
Nomadland
Chloé Zhao
2019
Roma
Alfonso Cuarón
2018
Phantom Thread
Paul Thomas Anderson
2017
The Other Side of Hope
Aki Kaurismaki
2016
Toni Erdmann
Maren Ade
2015
Mad Max: Fury Road
George Miller
2014
Boyhood
Richard Linklater
2013
La vie d'Adèle
Abdellatif Kechiche
2012
Amour
Michael Haneke
2011
The Tree of Life
Terrence Malick
2010
The Ghost Writer
Roman Polanski
2009
The White Ribbon
Michael Haneke
2008
There Will Be Blood
Paul Thomas Anderson
2007
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
Cristian Mungiu
2006
Volver
Pedro Almodóvar
2005
Bin-jip
Kim Ki-duk
2004
Notre Musique
Jean-Luc Godard
2003
Uzak
Nuri Bilge Ceylan
2002
The Man Without a Past
Aki Kaurismaki
2001
Dayereh
Jafar Panahi
2000
Magnolia
Paul Thomas Anderson