The 73rd San Sebastian Festival handed out prizes this week for the third edition of the Eusko Label micro short film competition, with “Hatsa” by Josu Ozaita Azpiroz winning the top award and “Gatz Harana” by Saioa Miguel taking second place.
Organized by the San Sebastian Festival together with the Basque Government through HAZI — a public company tied to the Department of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture and Fisheries — the competition is designed to raise awareness of local Basque products through cinema while underscoring sustainability across agriculture, livestock, and fishing.
The winning titles emerged from a field that also included “Amona” by Gonzalo Santamariña; “En el baserri” (“The Farm”) by Marta Hernaez Susperregui; “Lágrimas de Patxi” by Mikel Urreta; “Nací leche para ser queso” (“Born Milk, Destined to Be Cheese”) by Beñat Gereka Bikuña; “Nautilus” by Angel Aldarondo; and “Zura eta itsasoa” (“The Wood and the Sea”) by Iker Elorrieta.
“Hatsa,” which received the first prize and €6,000, reflects on charcoal as a way of life for past generations. Second-place winner “Gatz Harana,” awarded €4,000, follows the journey of salt from its artisan production to its everyday use.
The jury was led by celebrated chef Pedro Subijana, joined by Karmele Pikabea, manager of the Euskaber cooperative, and Raimundo Raiz de Escudero, director of HAZI.
The awards ceremony was staged at the San Sebastian Aquarium and included screenings of both prizewinning shorts, the finalists, and five works commissioned by the festival from Basque filmmakers. These included “Anna” by Lur Olaizola Lizarralde; “Mahasti artean” by Lara Izagirre Garizurieta; “Mater” by Ion de Sosa; “Tu piel” (“Your Skin”) by Xabier Gutierrez; and “Zaindariak” (“Keepers”) by Koldo Almandoz.
For the first time, the program also incorporated a collaboration with La Rioja’s Luces Cameros Acción short film festival. That slot went to “Marciano García” by Luis Arrojo, which earlier this year earned both the public and acting awards at the El Rasillo de Cameros-based event.