Brad Pitt is set to make a long-awaited return to the San Sebastián Film Festival, seventeen years after his last appearance, to present Heart of the Beast, the latest film from director David Ayer. The festival's organisers confirmed the news on Monday, adding that the film will be shown out of competition in the Official Selection.
The 74th edition of the festival, which runs from 18 to 26 September in the Basque city, will host Pitt as he introduces a survival thriller that marks a reunion with Ayer, with whom he previously worked on Fury (2014).
A story of survival and loyalty
In Heart of the Beast, Pitt plays James Belmont, a retired Army Special Forces officer who survives a plane crash alongside Odin, his former military working dog. Stranded in the Alaskan wilderness, the pair must rely on each other to endure the elements and find their way back to civilisation.
The cast also includes J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe. The screenplay was written by Cameron Alexander, with Pitt, Olivia Hamilton, Marty Bowen, and Ayer producing. Damien Chazelle, known for La La Land, serves as an executive producer. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on 25 September.
Pitt's last visit to San Sebastián was in 2009, when he presented Inglourious Basterds alongside its director, Quentin Tarantino, in the Perlak section. That film went on to win the festival's top prize, the Golden Shell.
The addition of Heart of the Beast completes the Official Selection for the 74th edition, which will feature 17 films in competition, three out of competition, and five special screenings. The festival has long been a key stop on the European circuit, drawing major Hollywood talent while maintaining its reputation for showcasing auteur cinema.
David Ayer, born in Illinois in 1968, began his career as a screenwriter, penning scripts for U-571 and Training Day before moving into directing. His directorial credits include End of Watch, Fury, Suicide Squad, The Beekeeper, and A Working Man.
For Pitt, the return to San Sebastián is part of a busy period that has seen him balance blockbuster roles with more intimate projects. His presence in the Basque Country is likely to draw significant attention, both from local audiences and international press covering the festival.
The festival's organisers have emphasised that the out-of-competition screening will offer a first look at a film that blends action with emotional depth, a combination that has become a hallmark of Ayer's work. The decision to premiere Heart of the Beast in Europe, rather than at a US event, underscores the festival's continued relevance as a launchpad for global cinema.
As the festival approaches, more details are expected to emerge about the full programme and the other guests who will walk the red carpet in San Sebastián. For now, the confirmation of Pitt's attendance adds a significant draw to an already promising lineup.
