[2] In May 2023, actor Javier Bardem was announced as a recipient of a Donostia Award as well as the main feature of the 71st edition's official poster.

[1][3] An early subset of the official selection film slate was announced on 7 July 2023.

[6] In August 2023, The Boy and the Heron was announced as the out-of-competition opening film.

[7] Later that month, Spanish director Víctor Erice was announced to be the recipient of a Donostia Award.

[9] On 8 September, it was announced that Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki would receive a Donostia Award, presented to him virtually, while the award for Bardem would be postponed to next year's festival due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which forbids the US-unionised actor to attend to the media or to record thank-you videos.