The director of the San Sebastián Festival, José Luis Rebordinos, has described the new rules of the Hollywood Academy as strange and unusual. These rules allow films that win competitions such as Berlin, Cannes, or Venice to directly access the Best International Feature Film category. Rebordinos regrets that San Sebastián is not on that list, although he acknowledges the hierarchy of the selected festivals.
The Academy's Algorithm: Technical Criteria and Festival Hierarchy 🎬
The Academy's decision responds to a scoring system based on the age, prestige, and volume of accredited press for each festival. Berlin, Cannes, and Venice have accumulated decades of influence and a global media impact that surpasses San Sebastián in terms of international coverage figures. The rule also requires that the winning film has been released in commercial theaters during the fiscal year, a technical filter that few festivals can guarantee without exceptions.
San Sebastián: The Festival Left Without the Oscar VIP Pass 🏆
Rebordinos, with the elegance of someone who hasn't been invited to the party, has pointed out that the rules are strange. As if the Academy had designed an algorithm so that only festivals with more red carpets and less rain get in. Meanwhile, San Sebastián will continue awarding Golden Shells, but without the keychain that opens Hollywood's back door. That said, at least the rain is still free.