Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2019

The 2019 edition of the festival will feature 200+ films over 11 days with an estimated 90,000 people attending. In addition to the films, the festival features tributes to Glenn Close (Maltin Modern Master Award), Viggo Mortensen (American Riviera Award), Melissa McCarthy (Montecito Award), Michael B. Jordan (Cinema Vanguard Award) and more.

The 2019 Outstanding Directors of the Year will feature Alfonso Cuaron (Roma), Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite), Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman), Adam McKay (Vice), and Pawel Pawlikowski (Cold War). The yearly panels are some of my favorite events at the festival and like always will feature several top industry professionals - many Oscar nomiated for 2019 and/or past winners. Panels include the Writers Panel, Producers Panel and Womens Panel. Check back to see who will be coming or sign up to our email list for updates.

SBIFF - Tuesday February 5th Highlights

February 5, 2019

More free films, Q&As and events including the always popular Virtuosos Awards as the SBIFF continues! Read More

SBIFF 2019 Virtuosos Award Honorees Announced

February 5, 2019

The Virtuosos Award presented by UGG is an honor created to recognize a select group of talent whose noteworthy performances in film have elevated them into the national cinematic dialogue. Read More

Outstanding Directors of the Year Award at SBIFF 34

January 31, 2019

SBIFF honors 5 Oscar Nominated Directors with Outstanding Directors of the Year Award. Read More

Diving Deep: The Life and Times of Mike deGruy opens SBIFF 34

January 30, 2019

SBIFF 2019 began with the Opening Night Film on January 30th, at the historic Arlington Theatre. The feature film, Diving Deep:The Life and Times of Mike deGruy directed by Mimi deGruy. Read More

Spoons: A Santa Barbara Story to close SBIFF 2019

February 9, 2019

The Festival will close Saturday, February 9 at the Arlington Theatre with the world premiere of Spoons: A Santa Barbara Story directed by Wyatt Daily. Read More

Michael B. Jordan to be honored with Cinema Vanguard Award at SBIFF 2019

February 7, 2019

Michael B. Jordan is set to receive the Cinema Vanguard Award for his work in two of the year’s critically acclaimed, culturally significant and record-breaking box office hits, Marvel’s Black Panther and Annapurna’s Creed II. Read More

Viggo Mortenson honored with American Riviera Award at SBIFF 34

February 2, 2019

Viggo Mortenson received the illustrious American Riviera Award on Saturday, February 2nd, 2019. Read More

SBIFF honors Rami Malek with Outstanding Performer of the Year Award

February 1, 2019

Critically-acclaimed actor Rami Malek will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award for his Academy Award nominated work in BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. Read More

Free Screening of ROMA at the Lobero Theatre

January 31, 2019

FREE Screening of ROMA followed by a Q&A with Oscar Nominees: Director Alfonso Cuarón and Yalitza Aparicio! Thursday, January 31, 2019, 4:00pm at the Lobero Theatre. Read More

Melissa McCarthy receives Montecito Award at SBIFF

February 3, 2019

Melissa McCarthy receives the prestigious Montecito Award, for her starring role in the critically acclaimed feature Can You Ever Forgive Me?. Read More

Glenn Close receives Maltin Modern Master Award at SBIFF

February 3, 2019

Glenn Close receives the prestigious Maltin Modern Master Award at the 34th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Read More

SBIFF Producers Panel

February 2, 2019

The Producers Panel brings together some of the industry's leading producers to provide insight into the business as well as the creative sides of producing. Read More

2019 SBIFF Writers Panel

January 30, 2019

The Writers Panel brings top writers together to converse about what it takes to write a script and about their journeys to the big screen. Read More

2019 SBIFF Women's Panel

February 3, 2019

Women from all stages of film production come together to discuss the unique challenges they have faced and successes they have had in the film industry. Read More

SBIFF - Sunday Highlights

February 3, 2019

Following are some key highlights for Sunday, February 3rd at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival! Stay dry! Spend the day in a theatre or two! Read More

2019 Variety Artisans Awards

February 4, 2019

The Artisans Award honors those who have exhibited the most exciting and innovative work of the year in their respective fields. Read More

SBIFF - Monday February 4th Highlights

February 4, 2019

Here are the highlights for Monday, February 4th at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Read More