One of Santa Barbara’s most anticipated events of the year, The Santa Barbara Film Festival, has arrived. The film festival, also known as SBIFF, is a non-profit arts and education organization dedicated to a love of film and honoring beloved actors, writers, directors, producers, costume designers, and composers from the year’s most successful cinematic masterpieces.
The 11 day event featuring tributes, panels, red carpets, and screenings of 200+ films starts on February 4th through February 14th at the Arlington Theatre and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Film Center. The event will feature special tributes from actors.
February 5th, 2026: Adam Sandler will be awarded with the Maltin Modern Master Award, one of SBIFF’s highest honors, an award given to an individual who has been recognized who has enriched culture through their work throughout their motion pictures. The tribute honors all of Sandler but particularly in his most recent role of Jay Kelly.
February 6th, 2026: Ethan Hawke will be honored with the American Riviera Award (an award that recognizes actors who have made a significant contribution to American cinema) for his role as Lorenz Hart in the film Blue Film at the Arlington Theatre.
February 8th, 2026: Virtuosos Awards (a prestigious honor award recognizing a select group of actors who have delivered breakout, top-tier performances in a film season) will be granted to actors Jacob Elodri (FRANKENSTEIN), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), Amy Madigan (Weapons), Wagner Moura, Renate Reinsve, Sydney Sweeney, Teyana Taylor, and Jeremy Allen White
February 9th, 2026: Hammond Cinema Vanguard Awards (honors actors who have forged their own path, taking significant artistic risks and making a unique contribution to film) will be granted to Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benecio Del Toro at the Arlington Theatre.
February 11th, 2026: Stellan Skarsgard will be awarded with the Montecito Award, a prestigious honor bestowed upon individuals in the entertainment industry who have made a significant, sustained, and classic contribution to film
February 13th, 2026: Kate Hudson will be awarded with the Arlington Artist of the Year Award, a major, high-profile tribute at a historic venue, celebrating career-defining performances and lasting impacts on the industry.
February 7th, 2026: Will host the Variety Artisans Awards featuring EJAE for original song “Golden” from K-POP DEMONS HUNTERS, Alexandre Desplat for original score in FRANKENSTEIN, Jack Fisk for Production Design in MARTY SUPREME, Kate Hawley for Costume Design in FRANKENSTEIN, and Mike Hill for makeup and hairstyling in FRANKENSTEIN.
Panels:
February 7th, 2026: Women’s Panel will be held at the Arlington Theatre and will feature Q&A from Miyako Bellizzi (costume designer), Laia Casanovas (sound), Yvett Merino (producer), Natalie Musteata (director), Alisa Payne (producer), and Ashley Schlaifer (producer).
February 7th, 2026: Casting Directors Panel will feature Q&A from Gabriel Domingues (The Secret Agent), Nina Gold (Hamnet), Cassandra Kulukundis (One Battle After Another), Francine Maisler (Sinners), and Jennifer Venditti (Marty Supreme).
February 8th, 2026: International Director’s Panel will feature Q&A from directors Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value), and Chloé Zhao (Hamnet).
February 14th, 2026: Writer’s Panel will include Q&A Clint Bentley (Train Dreams), Ronald Bronstein (Marty Supreme), Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein), Jafar Panahi (It Was Just an Accident), Will Tracy (Bugonia), Eskil Vogt (Sentimental Value).
