OUTSTANDING DIRECTORS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter
Honoring Paul Thomas Anderson (LICORICE PIZZA),
Kenneth Branagh (BELFAST),
Jane Campion (THE POWER OF THE DOG),
Ryusuke Hamaguchi (DRIVE MY CAR),
and Steven Spielberg (WEST SIDE STORY)
THURSDAY, MARCH 3rd, 2022
8:00PM - ARLINGTON THEATRE

AND PANELISTS FOR SBIFF’S INDUSTRY PANELS ANNOUNCED
PLUS THE ADDITION OF A NEW ANIMATION PANEL

Paul Thomas Anderson (LICORICE PIZZA), Kenneth Branagh (BELFAST), Jane Campion (THE POWER OF THE DOG), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (DRIVE MY CAR), and Steven Spielberg (WEST SIDE STORY) will receive the 2022 Outstanding Directors of the Year Award sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter at an in-person conversation about their respective films. Following one on one conversations, all the honorees will join in a panel discussion. The event will take place on Thursday, March 3rd at the historic Arlington Theatre, and will be moderated by Scott Feinberg.

"The heart and soul of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival has always been the camaraderie and conversation emanating from its panels. After two years of virtual dialogues, it will definitely be thrilling and exhilarating to be in a room listening live to all of this incredible talent," remarked SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling.

The Writers Panel will be in-person Saturday, March 5 @ 11:00am, moderated by Anne Thompson. Panelists include:
Kenneth Branagh (BELFAST)
Siân Heder (CODA)
Adam McKay (DON'T LOOK UP)
Denis Villeneuve (DUNE)
Zach Baylin (KING RICHARD)
Maggie Gyllenhaal (THE LOST DAUGHTER)
Jane Campion (THE POWER OF THE DOG)
Eskil Vogt (THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD)

The Producers Panel will be in-person Saturday, March 5 @ 2:00pm, moderated by Glenn Whipp. Panelists include:
Lauar Berwick (BELFAST)
Patrick Wachsberger (CODA)
Kevin Messick (DON'T LOOK UP)
Teruhisa Yamamoto (DRIVE MY CAR)
Mary Parent (DUNE)
Tim White (KING RICHARD)
Sara Murphy (LICORICE PIZZA)
J. Miles Dale (NIGHTMARE ALLEY)
Tanya Seghatchian (THE POWER OF THE DOG)
Rita Moreno (WEST SIDE STORY)

The inaugural Animation Panel will be an in-person Sunday, March 6 @ 11:00am, moderated by Roger Durling and admission is FREE. Panelists include:
Charise Castro Smith – Co-Writer/Co-Director (ENCANTO)
Charlotte De Le Gournerie – Producer (FLEE)
Enrico Casarosa – Co-Writer/Director (LUCA)
Mike Rianda – Co-Writer/Co-Director (THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES)
Don Hall – Co-Director (RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON)

The Women’s Panel will be in-person Saturday, March 12 @ 11:00am, moderated by Madelyn Hammond. Panelists include:
Jessica Kingdom - Director (ASCENSION)
Lynn Harris - Producer (KING RICHARD)
Diane Warren - Composer Oscar-Nominated Original Song “Somehow You Do”
Amber Richards - production design (THE POWER OF THE DOG)
Elizabeth Mirzaei - Director - Oscar-Nominated Short (THREE SONGS FOR BENAZIR)

The 37th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, presented by UGG®, will take place IN-PERSON on March 2 through March 12, 2022. 200+ films, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be held throughout Santa Barbara, including at the historic Arlington Theatre. This year’s lineup is available on SBIFF’s mobile app. For additional information or to buy passes, visit sbiff.org.