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SBIFF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and education organization dedicated to making a positive impact utilizing the power of film. SBIFF is a year-round organization that is best known for its main film festival that takes place each year in February. Over the past 30 years the Santa Barbara International Film Festival has become one of the leading film festivals in the United States – attracting 90,000 attendees and offering 11days of 200+ films, tributes and symposiums. We bring the best of independent and international cinema to Santa Barbara, and we continue to expand our year-round operation to include a wide range of educational programming, fulfilling our mission to engage, enrich and inspire our community through film.
In June 2016, SBIFF entered a new era with the acquisition of the historic and beloved Riviera Theatre. The theatre is SBIFF’s new home and is the catalyst for our program expansion. This marks the first time that Santa Barbara has had a 24/7 community center focused on the art of film and is an incredible opportunity to expand our mission of educational outreach. Particularly important to SBIFF is making available high quality learning opportunities for underserved and vulnerable populations. Our programs and reach are more robust than ever before.
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TAKING BACK THE GROOVE
SBIFF 2024
With Director: Celia Aniskovich
By Emmanuel Itier
Taking Back the Groove reintroduces the world to Bronx-born ’80s disco superstar Richie Weeks. A writer, singer, and producer who was compared to Quincy Jones at his height, Richie created quintessential New York Disco and performed in the likes of Studio 54 and Paradise Garage, all while maintaining day jobs as a postal worker and bricklayer. His mega-hit Rock Your World made it to #1 on the dance char...
Video by Marc Bennett and Guy Kennedy.
Jeffrey Wright has been honored with the Montecito Award at the 39th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Wright received the award on Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at an in-person conversation about his career leading up to this year’s performance in Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios’ AMERICAN FICTION, written and directed by Cord Jefferson. Wright has received lead actor nominations from the Gotham Awards, Spirit Awards, Gold...
Chosen Family is a 2024 American comedy-drama film, written and directed by Heather Graham. It stars Graham, Julia Stiles, Thomas Lennon, Michael Gross, Andrea Savage and John Brotherton...
It had its world premiere at the 2024 Santa Barbara International Film Festival on closing night February 17
Video by Marc Bennett and Guy Kennedy.
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Interview by Emmanuel Itier:
With Director: Lisa D’Apolito for SHARI AND LAMB CHOP.
Television star Shari Lewis broke nw ground in the 50’s and 60’s with her ventriloquism and beloved puppet: ‘Lamb Chop’. Now, director Lisa D’Apolito, who brought us the brilliant ‘Love, Gilda’, is bringing for a very emotional portrait of Lisa and now she truly revolutionized children tv shows. This film brought tears to my eyes as it reminded be ...
ELECTRA
With Bahraini - American director: Hala Matar.
The story revolves around a journalist who travels to Rome for an interview with a renowned musician, only to be drawn into an unexpected invitation that sets off a thrilling adventure filled with mystery and surprises.
Maria Bakalova and Abigail Cowen shine so brightly in this travel movie following two women going to interview a famous musician, played by Jack Fathing. The brilliant director, Hala Matar, who had done several successfu...
By Emmanuel Itier in Santa Barbara
After the disappearance of his girlfriend, a foreigner man lost in a hostile land becomes the main suspect and his desperate research for her turns into a fight to stay alive.
Directed by Giovanni Fumu Written by Giovanni Fumu, Maximilian Selim Starring Jang Seong-beom, Lim Young-joo, Chris Carlson, Tony Denman...
Rarely did I see such a captivating and mesmerizing movie! ‘ABROAD’, directed by Giovani Fumu ( https://www.imdb.com/tit...
2024 SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
WOMEN’S PANEL
MODERATED BY MADELYN HAMMOND
PANELISTS FEATURED:
Maite Alberdi (THE ETERNAL MEMORY) - Director/Producer
Karen Hartley-Thomas (GOLDA) - Hair and Make-up
Laura Karpman (AMERICAN FICTION) - Composer
Diane Warren (FLAMIN’ HOT) - Songwriter
Julie Zachary (NIMONA) - PGA and Head of Production at Annapurna Animation
Quotes from the Panel:
JULIE ZACHARY - Nimona
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Sue Cappiello, Brenda Matthews, and Mark Matthews pose with the Social Justice Award for Documentary Film and ADL Stand Up Award for "The Last Daughter" at the Awards Breakfast during the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at El Encanto on February 17, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)
2024 SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNING FILMS ANNOUNCED
The Santa Barbara International F...
Jeffrey Wright has been honored with the Montecito Award at the 39th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Wright received the award on Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at an in-person conversation about his career leading up to this year’s performance in Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios’ AMERICAN FICTION, written and directed by Cord Jefferson. Wright has received lead actor nominations from the Gotham Awards, Spirit Awards, Golden Globe Awards and the Critics Ch...
Do not miss a bit of the action and the glamour! Watch the video channel coverage from the 39th Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Videos courtesy SBIFF, coverage by Marc Bennett and Guy Kennedy in Santa Barbara.
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39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival - Virtuosos Award - Honoree Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers) in discussion on stage with Dave Karge.
All of Us Strangers from director Andrew Haigh.
One night in his near-empty tower block in contemporary London, Adam (Andrew Scott) has a chance encounter with a mysterious neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal), which punctures the rhythm of his everyday life. As a relationship develops between them, Adam is preoccupied with memories of t...
Emma Stone and honoree Mark Ruffalo pose with the American Riviera Award during the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 11, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)
Video credit courtesy SBIFF
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(L-R) Ilker Çatak, Johnnie Burn, Wim Wenders, Matteo Garrone, and SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling speak at the International Panel during the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 10, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)
MODERATED BY ROGER DURLING (SBIFF Festival Executive Director)
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Oscar Nominated International Feature Directors Panel at 2024 SBIFF
(L-R) Jermaine Johnson, David Heyman, Christine Vachon, Emma Thomas, Marie-Ange Luciani, James Wilson, Daniel Lupi ,Andrew Lowe, Fred Berner and Mark Johnson attend the producers panel durning the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 10, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for SBIFF)
The 39th Santa Barbara Internat...
Honorees: America Ferrera, Lily Gladstone, Greta Lee, Charles Melton, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Andrew Scott, Moderated by Dave Karger
withcSURPRISE PERFORMANCE OF OSCAR® NOMINATED SONG "WAHZHAZE" (A SONG FOR MY PEOPLE) FROM KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY SCOTT GEORGE, PERFORMED BY OSAGE TRIBAL SINGERS
WATCH NOW
Photo Credit Becky Sapp, Video Credit: Courtesy of SBIFF
39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival - Virtu...
SBIFF hosted an hour and a half in-person conversation with Robert Downey Jr. moderated by Lionel Maltin discussing Downey’s career, complete with clips and montages from his body of work. The evening culminated with the award presentation by a special guest to applaud his great film achievements. Always insightful, and often humorous and thought provoking, tribute video is not to be missed.
The Modern Master Award is the highest honor presented by SBIFF. Established in 1995, it...
Watch these talented filmmakers in SBIFF official selection interviewed on the Maltin Modern Master Award to Robert Downey Jr Award night By Mark Bennett
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Steve Pinder and Julia Aks interviewed before the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award ceremony during the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 08, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)
Red Carpet interview Day 2 at SBIFF! By Mark Bennett
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Honoree Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, and Brad Pitt pose with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award during the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF).
Bradley Cooper was honored on Thursday, February 8, 2024 for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Leonard Bernstein in MAESTRO from Netflix.
Bradley Cooper, born in Philadelphia, ...
Nine Lives : Jessie Davidson - Director & Trey Betts - Cinematographer Photos by Mark Bennett, Video courtesy of SBIFF
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Lisa Landers (Director) & Dawn Fitzgerald - Giants Rising
Until The Music’s Over: Gustavo Galvao, Cristiane Olivera.
First We Bombed New Mexico : Kat Douglas
Disconnect Me: George H. Xanthis, Alex Lykos
MADU: Matthew Ogden - Director & Joel Kachi Benson - Director
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MADU directors Joel Kachi Benson and Matthew Ogens at Santa Barbara International Film Festival opening night February 7.
Images by Mark Bennett
The 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival opened February 7 with the World Premiere of Disney Original Documentary’s MADU directed by Matt Ogens and Kachi Benson (Both directors in attendance); Producers Jamie Patricof, Katie McNeill, and Rachel Halilej, Editor Georgia Dodson, Composer Jackson Greenberg.
L...
Ryan Gosling speaks onstage while accepting award at Santa Barbara International Film Festival's Kirk Douglas Award Honoring Ryan Gosling at The Ritz Carlton Bacara on January 13, 2024 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival)
After a joyous pre-reception, attendees joined the award recipient for an upscale dinner. During the evening’s festivities, a wide range of figures, including SBIFF Executive Dir...
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has star wattage and a wealth of premieres in a Mediterrean-style city by the sea.
Blogging here with dailies:
The team of editors of the The Santa Barbara Blog:Carol Marshall, Felicia Tomasko, Vanessa McMahon, Marla and Mark Hamperin, Kim Deisler and Bruno Chatelin
