Culture 2 min read By Lauren Baxter
Brad Pitt’s ‘Heart of the Beast’ Added to San Sebastián Lineup
Paramount’s survival thriller starring Brad Pitt and directed by David Ayer will screen out of competition at the San Sebastián Film Festival, with both Pitt and Ayer attending.
Paramount Pictures’ survival thriller «The Heart of the Beast,» starring Brad Pitt and directed by David Ayer, has been added to the San Sebastián Film Festival’s Official Selection. The film will screen out of competition, and both Pitt and Ayer are set to attend the Spanish festival to present it, organizers announced Monday.
The film follows Pitt as a Special Forces officer who, accompanied by his dog, navigates a perilous survival situation. Ayer, known for gritty action filmmaking, directs from a script that places the protagonist in extreme circumstances. The project marks another high-profile collaboration between the actor and the studio, with Paramount backing the production.
San Sebastián, one of Europe’s most prestigious film festivals, regularly mixes world premieres with high-profile out-of-competition screenings. Adding a star-driven thriller to the lineup gives the festival a major red-carpet attraction and draws international attention to its program. The festival’s Official Selection typically showcases both established auteurs and emerging voices, and the inclusion of a Pitt-led action thriller broadens its commercial appeal.
For Pitt, the appearance continues a busy awards-season circuit following his recent projects. For Ayer, the film represents a return to large-scale studio filmmaking after a string of smaller features. The duo’s attendance in San Sebastián is expected to generate significant buzz, with the festival serving as a launchpad for the film’s European theatrical rollout.
The festival runs in late September, with the full lineup expected to be revealed in the coming weeks. «The Heart of the Beast» joins a slate that balances art-house fare with mainstream titles, reinforcing San Sebastián’s reputation as a key stop on the international festival circuit.
