The Santa Barbara Film Festival brings together the best of film in a picturesque coastal setting. The Festival began in 1986 and has grown into an internationally recognized event for its showcasing of Independent and International Cinema, and the high-profile celebrities that attend.

The 2024 Film Festival is an eleven-day event held February 7th through the 17th. The Festival is proud to present a diverse slate of more than 200 films to over 100,000 film enthusiasts. The audience is a unique combination of film industry professionals, local, regional, and International attendees, and a large student population.

The Santa Barbara Film Festival is a celebration of cinematic art in an idyllic setting

Maltin Modern Master Award
honoring Robert Downey Jr.
Friday, February 9th, 2024 Arlington Theatre

American Riviera Award
honoring
Mark Ruffalo
Sunday, February 11th, 2024 Arlington Theatre

Outstanding Performer of the Year Award
honoring Bradley Cooper
Thursday, February 8th, 2024 Arlington Theatre

Montecito Award
honoring
Jeffrey Wright
Thursday, February 15th, 2024 Arlington Theatre

Cinema Vanguard Award
honoring Paul Giamatti
Wednesday, February 14th, 2024 Arlington Theatre

Arlington Award
honoring
Annette Bening
Friday, February 16th, 2024 Arlington Theatre

Virtuosos Award
honoring
Danielle Brooks (THE COLOR PURPLE)
Colman Domingo (RUSTIN & THE COLOR PURPLE)
America Ferrera (BARBIE)
Lily Gladstone (THE KILLERS OF FLOWER MOON)
Greta Lee (PAST LIVES)
Charles Melton (MAY DECEMBER)
Da’Vine Joy Randolph (THE HOLDOVERS)
Andrew Scott (ALL OF US STRANGERS)

Saturday, February 10th, 2024 Arlington Theatre

Variety Artisans Award
honoring
Billie Eilish and Finneas – Songwriter – “Barbie”
Stephane Ceretti – VFX – “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”
Ludwig Göransson – Composer – “Oppenheimer”
Sarah Greenwood/Katie Spencer – Production Designer – “Barbie”
Kazu Hiro – Hairstyling/Makeup – “Maestro”
Jennifer Lame – Editor – “Oppenheimer”
Rodrigo Prieto – Cinematography – “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Michael Semanick – Re-recording Mixer – “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
Holly Waddington – Costume Designer – “Poor Things”

Sunday, February 11th, 2024 Arlington Theatre

SBIFF’s Industry Panels

Producers Panel – Saturday, February 10 at 11:00am
International Panel – Saturday, February 10 at 2:00pm
Writers Panel – Tuesday, February 13 at 8:00pm
Women’s Panel – Saturday, February 17 at 11:00am
All at the Arlington Theatre

Outstanding Directors of the Year Award
honorees TBA
Monday, February 12th, 2024 Arlington Theatre

Share this:
Mark Danforth Lomas

Recent Posts

Update on Santa Barbara Housing Projects

As we wrap up 2025, the conversation around housing in Santa Barbara has never been…

1 week ago

Coastal Market Pulse: Carpinteria to Gaviota

The stretch of coastline from Carpinteria through Santa Barbara and north of Goleta to Gaviota continues to…

4 weeks ago

Market Trends

The Southern Santa Barbara real estate market closed out October 2025 with a significant burst…

1 month ago

New Luxury Homes in southern Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara real estate market is seeing a resurgence in new development, extending beyond…

1 month ago

Veterans Day in Santa Barbara 2025

On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Santa Barbara will join the nation in observing Veterans Day,…

1 month ago

The Compass Anywhere Merger

The residential real estate industry just witnessed a seismic event: the proposed combination of Compass…

2 months ago