Esther García received the first of two Donostia Awards at the 73rd San Sebastián Festival

Esther García received the first of two Donostia Awards at the 73rd San Sebastián Festival, which features over 250 titles and numerous film personalities. The opening gala, hosted by Silvia Abril, Toni Acosta, and Itziar Ituño, included humor, advocacy, and a tribute to Marisa Paredes.

García was honored as a "pioneer" in production, with Itziar Ituño noting her influence on the increasing number of female production directors in Spain. García thanked the Festival for recognizing production and expressed gratitude to Pedro and Agustín Almodóvar, founders of El Deseo, where she has worked since 1986. The Almodóvar brothers praised García as the "mother of the family" at El Deseo.

Reflecting on her career, García acknowledged her parents and early challenges as a young woman in a male-dominated field. She credited mentors like Pilar Miró and Josefina Molina and urged women to continue fighting for their place in the industry.

García advocated for unity and cultural power, calling for an end to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. She emphasized cinema as a tool for positive change, stating, "Films are our tool for making the world a nicer and better place."

García has been instrumental in promoting Spanish and Latin American cinema internationally, supporting filmmakers such as Álex de la Iglesia and Guillermo del Toro through El Deseo.