Jaime Lorente, Billy Lumby Debuts at San Sebastian

The San Sebastian Film Festival has named the lineup for its 2026 New Directors competition, with debut features from Jaime Lorente, best known for his role in Netflix's global hit Money Heist, and U.K. filmmaker Billy Lumby leading the section.

The festival, set to run in September, annually spotlights first-time directors from around the world. This year's selection brings together a mix of emerging voices and established performers stepping behind the camera for the first time. Lorente, who played Denver in the Spanish heist series, will present his directorial debut, though plot and genre details remain under wraps. His participation marks a significant shift from actor to filmmaker for one of Spain's most recognizable television faces.

Jaime Lorente's Move to Directing

Lorente's transition has been closely watched by fans of Money Heist, which catapulted him to international fame. In addition to his work on the series, he has appeared in Spanish films and series such as Elite and The Invisible Guardian. The San Sebastian selection is a notable early achievement for his directorial ambitions, signaling that the festival sees promise in his behind-the-camera work. No other cast members have been announced for his film, and its runtime and release date are not yet public.

Industry observers note that San Sebastian's New Directors section has a track record of launching careers. Past selections have gone on to win major awards and attract distribution deals. Lorente's inclusion could help draw broader attention to a Spanish-language debut that otherwise might not have an established marketing machine behind it.

Billy Lumby Brings U.K. Indie Energy

Billy Lumby, a British filmmaker with a background in short films and music videos, will also make his feature debut in the competition. Specifics about his project are limited, but his selection suggests a distinctive voice that aligns with the festival's taste for fresh, unconventional storytelling. Lumby has built a reputation in the U.K. independent scene for visually arresting work and a willingness to tackle edgy subject matter.

San Sebastian programmers often balance the New Directors slate with international entries, and Lumby's film provides a British counterpoint to Lorente's Spanish project. Both filmmakers share the challenge of launching their first features at a festival that draws distributors, critics, and programmers from across Europe and Latin America.

Competition Context and Festival Prestige

The New Directors section is one of the most closely watched at San Sebastian, known for launching careers such as those of The Orphanage director J.A. Bayona and A Monster Calls screenwriter Patrick Ness. Winning the top prize, the Kutxa-New Directors Award, often leads to broader festival invitations and international sales.

This year's selection committee reviewed hundreds of submissions, narrowing the field to a handful of titles. While the full list of competing films has not been released, Lorente and Lumby are being positioned as headline names. Their films will premiere during the festival, which typically runs for nine days in late September.

No further details about Lorente's or Lumby's projects have been confirmed, including genres, runtimes, or additional cast. The festival is expected to announce the complete competition lineup in the coming weeks, along with special screenings and parallel sections.

For now, the announcement underscores San Sebastian's continued commitment to discovering new talent. With a star like Lorente attached, the section may draw higher visibility than usual. His fan base from Money Heist could translate into mainstream curiosity about his directorial work - a dynamic that festival organizers likely anticipate.

Billy Lumby, though less known internationally, represents the kind of fresh voice that San Sebastian has historically championed. His presence ensures the competition has a transatlantic flavor, with both Spanish and British sensibilities on display.

As of today, July 30, 2026, no release dates have been set for either film beyond their festival premieres. Distribution deals are expected to be negotiated during or after the festival. The San Sebastian Film Festival runs from September 18-26.

Source: Hollywood Reporter