Jennifer Lawrence received the prestigious Premio Donostia 2025 Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, becoming the youngest performer ever to win it. At 35, the Oscar-winning actress reflected on her career and used her platform to issue a warning about cultural freedom in the United States.
“Our freedom of speech is under attack in America, including in the world of film,” she told reporters before the ceremony, urging empathy and creative independence. Lawrence also encouraged young filmmakers to persevere with auditions, learning, and above all, watching films.
Presenting her new project Kill Me Love, in which she stars and produces, Lawrence highlighted the importance of women’s voices in Hollywood, praising directors such as Greta Gerwig for broadening the industry’s perspective.
The ceremony crowned a politically charged festival marked by widespread protests and speeches in support of Palestine. Throughout the week, filmmakers and actors, including Juliette Binoche and Pedro Almodóvar, condemned the war in Gaza and called for urgent international action.
Lawrence’s award placed her among past recipients such as Penélope Cruz, Julia Roberts, and Viggo Mortensen, underscoring both her cinematic achievements and the festival’s role as a platform for cultural and political expression.
