Z365" or "Festival all year round" is the new strategic point of the Festival in which converge investigation, accompaniment and development of new talents (Ikusmira Berriak, Nest); training and cinematic knowledge transfer (Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola, Zinemaldia + Plus, Filmmakers' dialogue); and investigation, disclosure and cinematic thought (Z70 project, Thought and Discussion and Research and publications).
The Basque agri-food sector and quality, locally-sourced Basque produce will occupy a prominent space this year within the San Sebastian Festival’s sidebar activities. On the 21st, the “Euskadi Basque Country” space will open on one of the Kursaal terraces, in a marquee constituting a meeting-place for presenting both to professionals related to the film industry (actors, press, companies, celebrities, etc.) and to the general public the work of the Basque agri-food sector and its extensive offer of gastronomic products.
The new space has a zone for members of the audiovisual industry and another open to the general public, where they can taste drinks and pintxos made with quality Basque produce. Among others, there will be a selection of Eusko Label goods, Idiazabal Cheese, Getaria Txakoli, Euskal Sagardoa cider and Rioja Alavesa wine.
The marquee will open from 12:00 to 24:00 on September 21-29 and will offer gastronomic demonstrations, cider served txotx style from the barrel and live music, including DJs from the national and Basque scenes.
This action corresponds to the Strategic Plan for Gastronomy and Food in the Basque Country, which constitutes one of the Basque Government’s strongest commitments this term of office to promoting the Basque agri-food industry and its quality, locally-sourced produce.
As a result of the close collaboration between all of the sector agents and institutions, this plan is embraced by several areas of the Basque administration and is headed by the Department of Economic Development and Infrastructures. Said plan makes a detailed diagnosis of the current situation of the Basque agri-food chain, based on which it addresses different strategic objectives, among which are to consolidate the position and influence of the Basque Country at international level and to strengthen the promotion of local quality and sustainable products, turning the territory into a reference for gastronomy and food, and establishing or maintaining ties with those at the global forefront in different fields.