FIPRESCI to Skip Grand Prix 2020

The FIPRESCI Grand Prix, that has been presented every year since 1999 at the festival of San Sebastián, will exceptionally not be awarded in 2020. The decision was prompted by the circumstances of these past months, that make it impossible for the prize to maintain the wide-reaching, inclusive nature that defines it: the winner is chosen among all feature-length films world-premiered over the previous twelve months, through a poll open to all members of the Federation, and not just those travelling to major festivals.

With many festivals not having taken place at all, and movie theatres closed around the world, the disruption has not only stopped films from premiering since March, but has also halted the festival and theatrical careers of those already premiered, preventing colleagues who did not see them at their world-premiere to discover them later. All this would have stripped a Grand Prix 2020 from its true sense and value. FIPRESCI and the festival of San Sebastián are looking forward to resuming the Grand Prix in 2021, under better circumstances.

This of course has no impact on FIPRESCI’s regular award to a film in competition at the festival of San Sebastián, which will take place from September 18 to 26.

Pamela Biénzobas