Artsweek

February 12, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Academy Award-nominated directors talk international features

By Iris Guo

Kleber Mendonça Filho (“The Secret Agent”), Jafar Panahi (“It Was Just an Accident”), Joachim Trier (“Sentimental Value”), Oliver Laxe (“Sirāt”) and Kaouther Ben Hania (“The Voice of Hind Rajab”) pa...

February 12, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Academy Award-nominated producers convene at Producers Panel

By Kaavya Saini

The Producers Panel brought together 10 Academy Award-nominated producers to discuss their Best Picture-nominated films.

February 12, 2026

SBIFF 2026: ‘The Eyes of Ghana’ is a love letter to film and the fight for freedom

By Wynne Bendell

The documentary tells the story of Chris Hesse and his decades-long pursuit of restoring the film he shot during his time as the personal cinematographer for Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, as he led his countr...

February 12, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Women’s Panel hosts 6 award-winning creatives

By Kira Logan

The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival recently held their annual Women’s Panel, highlighting the achievements of women in the film industry on Saturday, Feb. 7.  The event featured six panelists — all o...

February 11, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Academy Award-nominated casting directors talk about finally receiving their own category

By Carly Rattner

The event featured Academy Award-nominated casting directors Gabriel Domingues, Nina Gold, Francine Maisler, Jennifer Venditti and Cassandra Kulukundis.

February 11, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Variety Artisans Award ceremony honors talent behind 2025’s biggest films

By Shayla Prasad, Anusha Singh

Ten artisans – including composers, editors, designers and visual effects artists – were recognized for shaping the year’s biggest cinematic projects.

February 9, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Ethan Hawke reflects on 40-year career, meets Jeff Bridges at American Riviera Award

By Lauren Chiou

Actor, filmmaker and writer Ethan Hawke was honored with the American Riviera Award for his extensive, genre-spanning career.

February 9, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Comedian before all else, Adam Sandler honored with Maltin Modern Master Award

By Stella Mullin

Comedian before anything else, actor Adam Sandler was awarded with the Maltin Modern Master Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

February 5, 2026

The Army, The Navy and the perfect evening

By Alicia Siebers

The whimsical folk-pop duo enchanted UC Santa Barbara students in Anisq'Oyo Park and surprised announced their new album.

February 3, 2026

A night of rebellious creativity with Miranda July

By Kiana Woods

Author Miranda July stopped by UCSB's Campbell Hall to talk about life, creativity, her new book and aging.

February 3, 2026

A sacred show: Magnetize and guest Johanna Warren create a musical haven

By Sofia Cain

Isla Vista band Magnetize opened for singer-songwriter Johanna Warren in a backyard concert on Jan. 18.

January 22, 2026

Looking East looks forward

By Stella Mullin

The local Goleta band is set to release its debut album, "Break of the Day," on Jan. 23.

January 22, 2026

Powerful pianists: Beethoven marathon at Granada Theatre

By Carly Rattner

The Santa Barbara Symphony performed a weekend-long marathon of all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos at the Granada Theatre from Jan. 17-18.

January 15, 2026

Geese: What’s all this honking about?

By Stella Mullin, Jack Dindia

Geese returns to this melting pot of genres — post punk and art rock — with youthful chaos, earning them the title of  “Gen Z’s first great American rock band.”

January 15, 2026

‘Marty Supreme’ is a supreme experience

By Tanner Perez

Starring Timothée Chalamet, 'Marty Supreme' is a thrilling and nerve-wracking film that is full of chaos, making it a top contender this awards season.

January 13, 2026

“Wicked: For Good” splendidly captures the magic of the original musical “Wicked”

By Ceora Tan

“Wicked: For Good” has captured the hearts of musical and mainstream audiences alike; it is an excellent depiction of grief, politics, love and goodness.