San Sebastián Opens With Brad Pitt Back in the Basque Country

The San Sebastián Film Festival runs Sept. 18–26, and Variety's preview flags Brad Pitt's return — his first time back since "Inglourious Basterds" — with "Heart of the Beast." Penélope Cruz is described as the festival's busiest star, with Naomi Watts also among the names expected.

For anyone tracking awards-season positioning rather than red carpets, the useful signal is a festival calendar that now mixes A-list premieres with the usual Basque-country backdrop.