The picturesque city of Santa Barbara hosts the annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), which attracts hundreds of directors, actors, producers, and other film industry professionals to the Central Coast each year. The festival offers attendees a chance to see some of the year’s best films and meet the talented people who made them.

This festival, which usually happens in late January to early February, was celebrated in March for the year 2022. This change was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions that came with it. Despite the change in date, the festival still managed to draw a large and enthusiastic crowd.

The SBIFF is a nonprofit arts and educational organization that has been hosting one of the country’s leading film fests for more than 30 years. This yearly event provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work to a wide audience, as well as receive critical feedback from experts in the field. In addition to screening films, the SBIFF also offers workshops, panel discussions, and other events that allow attendees to further engage with the filmmaking process.

In 2016, the Riviera Theater became the SBIFF’s new home. This particular theater is a state-of-the-art, year-round venue that provides the perfect space for the festival’s many events. Furthermore, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival takes place over the span of 11 days. During this time, over 200 films are screened for more than 100,000 attendees. The types of films shown at the festival include foreign and independent films, documentaries, and productions from some of renowned directors that are considered to be edgier.

Furthermore, 2019 saw the opening of SBIFF’s Education Center which is located on State Street in Santa Barbara’s downtown. The facility serves as a hub for the festival’s several educational initiatives, providing a space for creativity, learning, and innovation. The addition of the Education Center allows SBIFF to further its commitment to education and community engagement, offering year-round programming that makes use of the latest technology and facilities.

SBIFF 2022

To kick off the SBIFF this year, a gala was held in Santa Barbara’s downtown Paseo Nuevo shopping district that was open to the public. The event required a ticket for entry, but it was well worth the price as guests were treated to live entertainment.

After the opening night film screening at the Arlington Theatre, which has a 2,000-plus capacity, the SBIFF’s party proceeded outside where attendees had drinks and danced to some live music until late evening. The move to outside was in part to accommodate the large number of people attending the after-party, and also to take advantage of the balmy Santa Barbara evening. Live music and dancing continued well into the night, making it a festive and successful end to the first day of the SBIFF.

Following the initial Arlington Theatre performance, a series of smaller, more intimate Celebrity Tributes were also held in succeeding evenings. While these events were also open to the public, they required a ticket for admission. Celebrity Tributes are a series of in-depth conversations with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood, accompanied by a highlight reel of their most memorable work. These tributes offer a unique opportunity to reflect on each star’s career and body of work, and to get an inside look at their personal lives and thoughts on the industry.

Previous winners of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival include Glenn Close, Denzel Washington, and Michael Keaton. These esteemed and iconic actors have received recognition and awards including the Maltin Modern Master Award, the American Riviera Awards, and seven others.

In addition to the main event, other awards conduct free screenings and events throughout the 11-day festival so that anyone, especially those on a tight budget, may join in on the fun. Attendees will be able to enjoy all the fun and excitement of the festival without having to break the bank.

Nightly events at the SBIFF also include special panels that typically involve a moderated discussion between the panelists and the audience about various topics related to film. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from some of the most influential people in the industry and learn more about what goes into making movies.

There is no doubt that the most defining event of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival is the black-tie charity event in celebration of the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film. This momentous occasion attracts esteemed individuals from all corners of the film industry, making it a truly remarkable event to behold. Every year, this prestigious award is presented to a major figure in the film industry, and the dinner provides an opportunity for attendees to rub elbows with Hollywood royalty. It’s also a chance to dress up, enjoy some fine dining, and celebrate the excellent work being done in film.

SBIFF 2023

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival for 2023 will take place from February 8th to February 18th, as announced by the organization. Next year, this renowned festival is expected to continue to feature the best in independent and international cinema, as well as provide a platform for up-and-coming filmmakers to showcase their work.

Meanwhile, the 38th SBIFF was confirmed to be taking place live in 2023. The festival will be present a variety of films from all around the world with UGG sponsoring the event. The Arlington Theatre will play host to a number of official SBIFF events including Celebrity Tributes, industry panels, filmmaker Q&As, and screenings. The historic venue provides a perfect setting for these festival activities, offering guests the chance to experience the best of Santa Barbara’s film culture.

Historically, Santa Barbara has been known to attract A-list guests for its famed film festival. For next year, organizers are expecting (and hoping) for the same turnout. The final schedule and lineup for the films will be revealed in January. This gives people enough time to plan their trip and decide which films they want to see. If you’re planning on visiting Santa Barbara, keep an eye out for the announcement so you can make sure to catch the films you’re interested in.