Artsweek

April 17, 2025

The Avett Brothers kicks off 2025 season at Santa Barbara Bowl

By Lucy Dixon

The North Carolinian band, featuring brothers Seth Avett and Scott Avett, has been defined by their distinct musical and lyrical range.

April 17, 2025

‘Black Bag’ is the best film of 2025 (so far)

By Jake Turner

Starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, director Steven Soderbergh's spy thriller is smart, swanky and "so hot."

April 10, 2025

Big Sean fires up the Thunderdome for annual The Warm Up concert

By Kyra Schimpf

After the chaos and charm of yet another Deltopia, students were treated to a highly anticipated performance from six-time Grammy nominated rapper Big Sean.

March 30, 2025

Attend the tale of Shrunken Heads, UCSB’s musical theater troupe

By Sandra Vovk

Founded in the 2000s, the entirely student-run organization has taken charge of the contemporary musical theater scene on campus.

March 6, 2025

Twin flames: Yuja Wang and Víkingur Ólafsson in concert

By Kasey Wang

Yuja Wang and Víkingur Ólafsson not only proved their undeniable technical prowess at the Granada Theatre, but also gave the crowd a uniquely unforgettable display of passionate musicality.

February 21, 2025

In Review: Brady Corbet’s ‘The Brutalist’

By Jake Turner

“The Brutalist” may not quite reach the same heights as other great American epics, but it is a fantastic work of art worth your time and thought.

February 21, 2025

RaMell Ross redefines tragedy in ‘Nickel Boys’

By Kasey Wang

Based on Colson Whitehead’s novel of the same name, the film is a historical drama inspired by the Dozier School for Boys, a now-closed reform school.

February 21, 2025

‘The Brutalist’: cracks in the foundation of the American dream

By Conor Kelly

The film is a grand, ambitious piece that examines the way an immigrant is chewed up by America.

February 20, 2025

SBIFF 2025: closing night shines with ‘A Missing Part’

By Nathan Kwon

As the final screening of the 11-day event, the closing night screening served as the perfect capstone to a festival that once again recognized cinema excellence in the company of filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike.

February 20, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Colman Domingo receives Montecito Award

By Anushka Ghosh Dastidar

Domingo brought an abundance of love with him as he was honored with the Montecito Award for great contribution to film on Valentine’s Day. Oprah Winfrey presented him with the award.

February 20, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce receive Cinema Vanguard Award

By Anushka Ghosh Dastidar

The two actors took part in a career retrospective with Deadline’s Pete Hammond, prior to being honored with the revered Cinema Vanguard Award for breaking new ground in film.

February 20, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Zoe Saldaña honored with American Riviera Award

By Jack Dindia, Conor Kelly

The American Riviera Award is given for outstanding achievement in American film. Saldaña received the award for her role in “Emilia Pérez.”

February 20, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Timothée Chalamet receives Arlington Artist of the Year Award

By Lauren Chiou

The sold-out ceremony took place at Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theatre on Feb. 11, and featured a career retrospective of Chalamet’s work, along with a discussion moderated by actor Josh Brolin.

February 20, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Outstanding Directors of the Year Award celebrates five ‘radical, daring, original’ films

By Lucy Dixon

This year's honorees include Brady Corbet, Coralie Fargeat, Jacques Audiard, James Mangold and Sean Baker. All five directors are nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director.

February 19, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Producers Panel gathers Academy Award-nominated producers in discussion

By Sandra Vovk

The event featured Cale Boyter (“Dune: Part Two”), Alex Coco (“Anora”), Coralie Fargeat (“The Substance”), Alex Heineman (“A Complete Unknown”) and Brian Young (“The Brutalist”).