Jennifer Lawrence wears quirky cut-out gown as she accepts San Sebastian Lifetime Achievement Award amid Palestine remarks

Jennifer Lawrence drew attention Friday as she accepted the Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, pairing a bold cut-out gown with dramatic shoulder pads, a leather belt, boots and statement earrings. The award recognizes the actor’s decades in film and was presented as she also attended the premiere of her latest project.

The event also hosted the premiere of Die My Love, a comedy-thriller in which Lawrence stars as a mother battling psychosis. She took the stage visibly emotional to thank the festival for the honor, saying, "Thank you to the San Sebastian Film Festival for thinking of me for this incredible honour." Earlier in the day, she appeared at a photo call in a short-sleeve black top and oversized trousers, and later wore a floor-length cloak as part of the gown ensemble.

Lawrence also spoke at a festival press conference promoting Die My Love about Palestine, saying, "I’m terrified and it’s mortifying. What’s happening is no less than a genocide and it’s unacceptable, I’m terrified for my children, for all of our children." She broadened her critique to include U.S. political discourse, lamenting a lack of empathy and urging voters to stay engaged, while noting she did not want her words to be used to inflame tensions or distract from the actors’ art.

The remarks come amid backlash from fans online after she publicly voiced support for Palestine two years after the October 7 attacks. Lawrence said what is happening in Gaza is "no less than a genocide" and stressed the need to consider accountability, adding that politicians lie and there is little integrity in politics. She also reflected on her own limits in speaking out, saying she fears saying too much or answering too many questions that could be used to fuel rhetoric, and urged people to focus on concrete actions and voting when possible.

Lawrence’s comments followed previous praise she had offered for Amy Schumer, a friend and fellow comedian who spoke out in support of Israel during the conflict. Schumer’s own posts drew significant online backlash at times, prompting her to disable Instagram comments in November 2023 after Hamas’s attacks and subsequent Israeli retaliation.

In addition to the political moment, the festival timeline highlighted Lawrence’s professional focus: Die My Love marks another high-profile release for the star, who co-stars with Robert Pattinson. Industry observers have long anticipated Oscar buzz around her performances, and the film’s premiere underscored her continued status as a leading figure in contemporary cinema.

The Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the festival’s most coveted honors, and the moment carries particular resonance as audiences weigh performances against the broader political conversations surrounding public figures abroad. Lawrence’s outing at San Sebastian—one of Europe’s most prestigious film gatherings—reflects the ongoing intersection of culture, celebrity, and global dialogue, a feature of modern film festivals where art and policy increasingly intersect.