Clockwork Red

by

Kimberly Deisler

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival soared to new heights as it kicked off its 25th season with an Opening Night that ran like clockwork. “Flying Lessons,” locally shot in Santa Inez, was the opening film and its stellar cast … and then some … walked the red carpet in true festival style. Local press were stacked like sardines to glean as much information as possible from cast members that included Director, Derek Magyar; Cast: Maggie Grace, Hal Holbrook, Cary Elwes, Joanna Cassidy, Michael O’Neill, Rick Gonzalez, Nikki DeLoach and Jonathan Tucker, and Jillian Greene.

Other Talent in attendance was James Keach (Director. Waiting for Forever) & Jane Seymour, Noah Wyle (ER) Iron Chef Cat Cora, and the 2010 SBIFF Jury: Dennis Franz (NYPD Blue), Robert Carradine (SBIFF submission The Legend of Stuart Mossman), Andy Abrahams Wilson (director, Under Our Skin), Perry Lang (Director), Phyllis de Picciotto and Claudia Puig.

While Roger Durling may have an eagle’s eye when it comes to picking out award winning films, and has raised his own level of excellence year after year, Santa Barbara has founder Phyllis DePicciotto to thank for coming up with the idea in the first place, starting with a vision and a city grant.

After flying down the carpet at The Arlington Theater, a packed house found its way down to the open aired Paseo Nuevo Mall for the after party. Talk about flying! There was an indisputable energy that really concretes the idea that, “Yep! The party’s started!” And luckily the expected rain held off … that was until this morning. The rain has been pouring about twelve hours now, and there’s no better weather for a film festival than this. So, come on down. Things are really going to gear up tonight as Santa Barbara plays host to Sandra Bullock, honoree for the American Riviera Award.