ANGELIKA CYGAL’S FILM SELECTED FOR THE STUDENT COMPETITION AT THE SAN SEBASTIAN FESTIVAL
Angelika Cygal’s “Dying of the Young Deer” has been selected for Nest, the student competition of the 74th San Sebastian Festival. Following its US premiere at the FLICKERS’ Rhode Island International Film Festival and screenings at numerous European and Polish festivals, the Polish director’s short film is now heading to one of Spain’s most important film festivals
This marks another important step in the film’s festival journey. The production recently had its US premiere at the FLICKERS’ Rhode Island International Film Festival and had previously been presented at numerous festivals across Europe and Poland. Being selected for San Sebastián is a significant distinction, given both the standing of the festival itself and the importance of a competition that has been dedicated to discovering new voices in international cinema for more than two decades.
The San Sebastian Festival has been held since 1953 and is one of the most important film events in the Spanish-speaking world. Nest is its international competition for short films made by film school students. Young filmmakers from around the world come to San Sebastián to present their selected works and take part in discussions, meetings and masterclasses led by film industry professionals.
Since the section was established in 2002, Nest has welcomed more than 1,000 young filmmakers and selected over 370 short films for its competition. The programme has also featured around one hundred masterclasses and conversations with acclaimed filmmakers and international film professionals. Previous guests have included Céline Sciamma, Albertina Carri, Alexander Payne, Bertrand Bonello, Elena López Riera and Jean-Baptiste de Laubier.
The films selected for this year’s edition will be evaluated by a specially appointed jury composed of students representing the selected film schools and chaired by a film industry professional. The winning film will receive the Nest Award, accompanied by a €10,000 prize for its director.
ABOUT THE FILM
The protagonist of “Dying of the Young Deer” is Helka, who leaves her family home and walks through the village towards the home of her future husband. She carries a duvet filled with goose feathers. Although her journey unfolds in silence, it is precisely within that silence that Helka begins to hear everything that has remained unspoken for years.
The 74th San Sebastian Festival will take place from 18 to 26 September 2026.
More information can be found here.