Artsweek

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”). 

February 19, 2025

SBIFF 2025: International Directors Panel opens audience eyes to world cinema

By Lea Vazquez

All directors featured within the panel are nominated for Best International Feature Film for the 2025 Academy Awards.

February 19, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Demi Moore talks “The Substance”

By Kirill Vorobyev

Following a screening of the film at Arlington Theatre, lead actress Demi Moore participated in a moderated discussion about the film.

February 19, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Variety Artisans Award celebrates the artists behind 2024’s biggest films

By Kyra Schimpf

Featured films included “The Brutalist,” “Emilia Pérez,” “Conclave,” “Nickel Boys,” “A Complete Unknown,” “The Substance,” “Wicked,” “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" and “The Wild Robo...

February 19, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Academy Award-nominated screenwriters discuss films at Writers Panel

By Amitha Bhat

Moderated by Anne Thompson, Editor-at-Large of IndieWire, the panel featured writers Clint Bentley, Jesse Eisenberg, Joslyn Barnes, Mona Fastvold, Peter Straughan and Tim Fehlbaum.

February 18, 2025

SBIFF 2025: “Waves” in review

By Kirill Vorobyev

The Czech film premiered at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Feb. 10. 

February 13, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Eight tributes honored with Virtuosos Award

By Stella Mullin, Kendra Martinez

This year’s Virtuosos were Ariana Grande for “Wicked,” Clarence Maclin for “Sing Sing,” Fernanda Torres for “I’m Still Here,” John Magaro for “September 5,” Mikey Madison for “Anora,” Monica Barba...

February 11, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Ralph Fiennes honored with Outstanding Performer of the Year

By Zachery Kramer

Fiennes earned this high honor for his role in “Conclave” as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence. 

February 11, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Angelina Jolie receives Maltin Modern Master Award

By Emily Yoon

The Maltin Modern Master Award is the highest honor that the Santa Barbara International Film Festival presents, intended to honor individuals who have made significant cultural contributions to the world of film.

February 11, 2025

SBIFF 2025: Animation Panel highlights vision behind Academy Award Nominees

By Jack Dindia

The panel featured “Inside Out 2” director Kelsey Mann, “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” director and creator Nick Park, “The Wild Robot” director Chris Sanders and “Flow” director Gints Zilbalodis...

February 11, 2025

SBIFF 2025: “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” premieres at an Austen-tatious opening night

By Kasey Wang

The festival kicked off its 40th anniversary with the United States premiere of the French film.

February 6, 2025

‘Extra! Extra! Read all about it’: Malcolm Todd stuns at UCSB’s The Hub

By Shayla Prasad

Alternative indie singer Malcolm Todd stopped by UC Santa Barbara’s The Hub to perform at a sold-out, students-only concert put on by the Associated Students Program Board.

January 30, 2025

Fran Lebowitz lights up Campbell Hall

By Sandra Vovk

UC Santa Barbara’s Campbell Hall was brought to life with never-ending laughter, raunchy commentary and snippy conversation with the eccentric writer and New York City personality Fran Lebowitz.