The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is an eleven-day film festival held in Santa Barbara, California in February annually, since 1986. The festival screens over 200 feature films and shorts from different countries and regions. SBIFF also includes celebrity tributes, industry panels and education programs.

History

Over the years, SBIFF has invited numerous 'potential award-winning celebrities', including Cate Blanchett, Guillermo Del Toro, Laura Dern, Leonardo DiCaprio, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence, Heath Ledger, Eddie Redmayne, Martin Scorsese, Michelle Yeoh and Kate Winslet. In 2006, a third of the festival's slots were dedicated to films by Hispanic filmmakers. Programming categories at that time included Nature films, "surf flicks" and adventure-sports films. In addition to its annual festival in February, the SBIFF "Cinema Society" hosts programming year round at the Riviera Theater in Santa Barbara.

Awards

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Kirk Douglas Award

The annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film has been awarded since 2006 to a lifelong contributor to cinema through their work in film industry. The inaugural award of 2006 was awarded to Kirk Douglas himself in Santa Barbara International Film Festival's fundraiser ceremony at Goleta, California.

Maltin Modern Master Award

The award, first named as Modern Master Award was established in 1995 to honor accomplishments of individuals in the motion picture industry for enriching culture. It was re-named the Maltin Modern Master Award in 2015 to recognize film critic, author and historian Leonard Maltin's long association with the festival.

Montecito Award

Annette Bening was awarded the inaugural Montecito Award during the 20th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival in Santa Barbara on January 29, 2005. Sources

Outstanding Performer(s) of the Year Award

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American Riviera Award

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Cinema Vanguard Award

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Virtuosos Award

Sources 2025 2024 – 2023 – 2022 – 2021 – 2020 – 2019 – 2018 – 2017 – 2016 – 2015 – 2014 – 2013 – 2012 – 2011 – 2010 – 2009 – 2008 –

Variety Artisans Award

Sources: 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

Outstanding Directors of the Year

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Arlington Award

Inaugurated in 2024, it is named for the historic venue where all the fest’s annual tributes timed to Oscar season take place. The award honors "an artist who is greatly admired and who has demonstrated an incomparable commitment to film and its craft".

10-10-10 Student Film Competition

One feature of the film festival is the 10-10-10 competition. Students enrolled at Santa Barbara area high schools and colleges are invited to submit either a 10-page sample of writing for the Screenwriting portion of the competition, or a five-minute sample of their best filmmaking efforts for the directing portion. Ten writers are selected to write one 10-minute script each; the scripts are then matched with the ten filmmakers. Those students then have ten days to shoot and edit the completed ten-minute short film, during the ten days of the festival. Films are screened and winners are announced on closing night. A selection committee consisting of representatives from each school, Industry professionals and SBIFF representatives select the participants. The program was extended into a summer camp where area youths from schools and local Boys & Girls Clubs learned filmmaking skills.