Naomi Watts honoured in Spain as Hollywood star reflects on changing fortunes for women over 50

Naomi Watts has been celebrated for a career spanning more than three decades after receiving one of the most prestigious honorary awards at Spain’s San Sebastian Film Festival.

The British actress was presented with the Donostia Award during a gala at the Kursaal Theatre on Saturday, September 19, with Spanish director J.A. Bayona handing over the accolade.

Watts, 57, appeared on stage in a black evening gown as she accepted the award in front of the festival audience. The honour recognises her contribution to cinema across independent productions, major Hollywood films and television.

A career shaped by major film roles

Watts has built a reputation for taking on demanding roles throughout her career, with her international breakthrough coming in David Lynch’s 2001 psychological thriller Mulholland Drive.

The performance established her as a major name in cinema and led to collaborations with some of the industry’s best-known directors.

She has since appeared in films including 21 Grams, The Ring, The Impossible, Birdman and Eastern Promises, working with filmmakers including Peter Jackson, David Cronenberg, Clint Eastwood and Alejandro González Iñárritu.

Her work has also earned two Academy Award nominations, including one for her performance in 21 Grams and another for J.A. Bayona’s The Impossible.

Bayona, who directed The Impossible, was the person chosen to present Watts with the Donostia Award in San Sebastian, adding a personal connection to the ceremony.

Watts dedicates award to David Lynch

During her acceptance speech, Watts paid tribute to David Lynch, the director who gave her the career-changing role in Mulholland Drive.

She has previously spoken about the significance of working with Lynch and credited him with seeing something in her at a time when she was struggling to secure major roles.

The actress also used her appearance in San Sebastian to discuss the position of older women in the entertainment industry.

Watts said women of her generation need to see themselves represented on screen, describing herself as fortunate to be part of what she believes is a shift in the industry.

The comments come as Watts continues to work both in front of and behind the camera, having also established herself as a producer.

New film premieres at Spanish festival

Watts was in San Sebastian not only to collect the career honour but also to present her latest film, The Housewife.

The psychological drama marks the feature directorial debut of Canadian filmmaker Ben Shirinian and is set in 1964.

The film follows a young journalist who discovers that a former Nazi is living secretly in New York. He subsequently develops a friendship with the man’s wife, played by Watts.

The cast also includes Tye Sheridan, Luke Evans, Michael Imperioli and Lena Olin. The film was selected as the Donostia Award screening following Watts’ ceremony.

A return to San Sebastian

The visit also marked a return to a city Watts already knew.

According to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, the actress had previously visited San Sebastian 17 years ago and remembered the city’s enthusiasm for cinema.

During her latest trip, she said she had enjoyed spending time by the sea and experiencing the city away from the festival spotlight.

The 74th San Sebastian Film Festival runs from September 18 to 26, bringing major international names from the film world to the Basque city.

Watts joins a long list of celebrated figures to receive the Donostia Award, which has previously been presented to stars including Gregory Peck, Al Pacino, Anthony Hopkins, Robert De Niro and Antonio Banderas.