The 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which is set to take place Feb. 4-15, one day longer than previous editions, in recognition of its milestone anniversary, has released its full program.
The lineup — listed in full at the bottom of this post — is comprised of films from 60 countries. Thirty-three will be world premieres and 74 will be U.S. premieres. The U.S. premiere of Jane Austen Wrecked My Life will kick off the fest on Feb. 4, and the U.S. premiere of A Missing Part will close it on Feb. 15.
This year’s fest will be dedicated to and raise financial support for those affected by the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires. “As the tragic events in our sister city of Los Angeles were unfolding, we debated about moving forward with SBIFF,” the fest’s executive director Roger Durling said in a statement. “Film has always been a conduit for comfort and renewal, and film festivals play a vital role in fostering a sense of connection. Festivals build community, and create an outlet for the process of feelings. In light of this, it became clear that we must move forward with our 40th edition. The twelve days of the festival will be dedicated to the City of Angels, and we will put in place an initiative during it to raise funds for LA in partnership with Direct Relief.”
Throughout the fest, all donations to this effort will be doubled through the generosity of a $100,000 matching grant.
Claudia Puig, the fest’s programming director, added: “This year’s lineup, featuring films from Peru to Kazakhstan, showcases a diverse range of globally relevant themes, from thought-provoking explorations of social justice to pressing environmental challenges. We are confident that these films — a record number of which were made by women — will be loved by audiences as much as they are by our programming team.”
This year’s festival jurors will include Estrella Araiza (Guadalajara International Film Festival Managing Director), Max Barbakow (filmmaker, Palm Springs), Oscar nominee Moses Bwayo (filmmaker, Bobi’s Wine: The People’s President), Andres Castillo (Miami International Film Festival Managing Director and Senior Programmer), Jeff Christian (filmmaker, Echo Chamber), Jimmy Jean-Louis (actor), Oscar winner Margaret Lazarus (director, Defending Our Lives), Jena Malone (actor), Oscar nominee Gregory Nava (director) and Oscar nominee Shawn Patterson (composer).
The fest also confirmed the full slate of career-retrospective tributes with Oscar hopefuls that will take place at the historic Arlington Theatre on almost every evening of the fest. They are:
- Maltin Modern Master Award honoring Angelina Jolie – Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Leonard Maltin.
- Outstanding Performer of the Year Award honoring Ralph Fiennes – Thursday, Feb. 6, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Scott Feinberg.
- American Riviera Award presented by Lexus honoring Zoe Saldaña – Friday, Feb. 7, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Anne Thompson.
- Variety Artisans Award – Saturday, Feb. 8, at 8:00 p.m. Honorees to be announced. Moderated by Jazz Tangcay.
- Virtuosos Award presented by Manitou Fund honoring Kieran Culkin [A REAL PAIN], Harris Dickinson [BABYGIRL], Karla Sofía Gascón [EMILIA PÉREZ], Selena Gomez [EMILIA PÉREZ], Ariana Grande [WICKED], Clarence Maclin [SING SING], Mikey Madison [ANORA], and John Magaro [SEPTEMBER 5] – Sunday, Feb. 9, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Dave Karger.
- Arlington Artist of the Year Award presented by FIJI Water honoring Timothée Chalamet – Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 8:00 p.m. Moderator to be announced.
- Cinema Vanguard Award honoring Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce – Thursday, Feb. 13, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Pete Hammond.
- Montecito Award presented by Manitou Fund honoring Colman Domingo – Friday, Feb. 14, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Roger Durling.
- Outstanding Directors of the Year Award – Date and Honorees to be announced. Moderated by Scott Feinberg.
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SBIFF’s celebrated panels are also returning this year, with panelists still to be named:
- Animation Panel – Friday, Feb. 7, at 5:30 p.m. – SBIFF Film Center – Moderated by Roger Durling
- Writers Panel – Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11:00 a.m. – Arlington Theatre – Moderated by Anne Thompson
- International Directors Panel – Sunday, Feb. 9, at 11:00 a.m. – Arlington Theatre – Moderated by Roger Durling
- Women’s Panel – Saturday, Feb. 15, at 11:00 a.m. – Arlington Theatre – Moderated by Madelyn Hammond
- Producers Panel – Date and Time to be announced – Arlington Theatre – Moderated by Nicole Sperling