After two years of the hybrid/virtual festival format, this year’s Santa Barbara International Film Festival made a strong in-person comeback with a plethora of star-studded events and screenings. It comes as no surprise that Hollywood’s leading creators and Oscar-nominated actors, such as Will Smith, Kristen Stewart and Javier Bardem made an appearance — the festival is held in the thick of the award season and in an area dense with Academy members. The honoring of these stars and the long-awaited excitement over being able to interact with fans and reporters was captured by our reporters on the red carpet. The photo story includes footage from the Virtuosos Awards, the Outstanding Performer(s) of the Year Award, the Maltin Modern Master Award and the American Riviera Award, which were all followed by interviews exploring the cinematic careers of the guests. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
Kristen Stewart accepted SBIFF’s American Riviera Award honoring her performance in Spencer”. (Mark Alfred / The Daily Nexus)
Alana Haim, the musician and star of Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza,” made her debut as an actress on the red carpet. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
Stewart and the SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling. (Mark Alfred / The Daily Nexus)
Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis were the stars honored for “King Richard,” a drama in which they play the parents of Serena and Venus Williams. (Ida Kazerani / The Daily Nexus)
Simon Rex, who stars in Sean Baker’s comedy-drama Red Rocket “Red Rocket,” was one of the recipients of the Virtuosos Award. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
The Spanish actor Javier Bardem was greeted by groups of shouting fans. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
Alana Haim being interviewed by the reporters before the ceremony. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
Ariana DeBose’s role in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” has earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
The Executive Director of the festival, Roger Durling, was present at all of the major events. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
The Executive Director of the festival, Roger Durling, was present at all of the major events. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
Nicole Kidman, who could not attend the festival in person due to an injury, accepted her Maltin Modern Master Award virtually through Zoom. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
Bardem receiving the Maltin Modern Master Award from Todd Black, the producer of “Being the Ricardos.” (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
Emilia Jones, the actress from the Academy Award-winning drama “CODA,” entering the stage during the Virtuosos Award ceremony. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
Alana Haim entering the stage. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
DeBose’s spectacular entrance demonstrated her background as a musical artist on Broadway. (Ewa Zakrzewska / The Daily Nexus)
