SBIFF

February 25, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Closing night premiere of ‘Laundry’ — a devastating depiction of apartheid South Africa

By Levi Kauffman

The 41st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival concluded with the U.S. premiere of "Laundry" on Feb. 14.

February 25, 2026

SBIFF 2026: ‘Lovely Day’ is a chaotic drama full of hope

By Roxanna Reid

Philippe Falardeau’s French-Canadian feature film documents the unraveling of a happily-ever-after that can’t be over quickly enough.

February 18, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Arlington Artist of the Year Kate Hudson joined by Gwyneth Paltrow

By Stella Mullin

Kate Hudson was honored for her Academy Award-nominated performance in "Song Sung Blue," along with her prolific career.

February 18, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Michael B. Jordan talks legacy and career, receives Outstanding Performer Award

By Michelle Cisneros, Jack Dindia

Jordan was honored for his dual performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack in “Sinners,” for which he received critical acclaim and a nomination for Best Actor at the upcoming Academy Awards.

February 18, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Honored with Montecito Award, Stellan Skarsgård delighted in night of humor and humility

By Wynne Bendell, Zachery Kramer

The prolific actor and star of “Sentimental Value” was honored for his great contribution to film. Skarsgård’s “Dune” co-star Josh Brolin presented the award.

February 18, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Old friends reunite at Outstanding Directors of the Year Award

By Lucy Dixon, Kira Logan

Directors Ryan Coogler, Chloé Zhao, Josh Safdie and Joachim Trier were honored with the award.

February 12, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro receive Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award, with surprise presenter Paul Thomas Anderson

By Lauren Chiou, Zachery Kramer

The film legends and “One Battle After Another” co-stars were honored for their unmatched achievements and contributions to film.

February 12, 2026

SBIFF 2026: Teyana Taylor, Jacob Elordi and more honored with Virtuosos Award

By Lauren Chiou, Kendra Martinez

Virtuosos is the most star-packed event of the festival, honoring eight rising stars who have made waves in the year’s film circuit.

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.