41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival

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41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival
41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival.jpg
Official poster
Opening film A Mosquito in the Ear by Nicola Rinciari
Closing filmLaundry by Zamo Mkhwanazi
Location Santa Barbara, California, United States
Founded1986
Awards
Hosted bySanta Barbara International Film Festival (organization)
Artistic directorClaudia Puig
Festival dateOpening: 4 February 2026 (2026-02-04)
Closing: 14 February 2026 (2026-02-14)
Website SBIFF
Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the 2026 edition of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, will take place from February 4 to February 14, 2026, at Santa Barbara, California, United States. [1] In August, October and November 2025, honorary awards were announced; the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award will be awarded to Michael B. Jordan (for Sinners ), [2] the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film will be awarded to Cynthia Erivo (for Wicked: For Good ), [3] and the Maltin Modern Master Award will be awarded to Adam Sandler (for Jay Kelly ). [4]

Contents

On October 30, 2025, the Virtuosos Award recipients were announced, which will be awarded to: Jacob Elordi (for Frankenstein ), Chase Infiniti (for One Battle After Another ), Amy Madigan (for Weapons ), Wagner Moura (for The Secret Agent ), Renate Reinsve (for Sentimental Value ), Sydney Sweeney (for Christy ), Teyana Taylor (for One Battle After Another), and Jeremy Allen White (for Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere ). [5] Additionally, the Montecito Award will be awarded to Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård for his performance in Joachim Trier's Sentimental Value. [6]

In January 2026, One Battle After Another trio Benicio del Toro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Sean Penn were announced as the recipients of the Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award, [7] and Kate Hudson as Arlington Artist of the Year (for Song Sung Blue ). [8]

Official selection

the festival will present 46 world premieres and 80 United States premieres from 50 countries with half of the films directed by women directors. [9]

Opening and closing films

The festival will open with Nicola Rinciari’s A Mosquito in the Ear and close with Zamo Mkhwanazi’s Laundry. [10]

English titleOriginal titleDirector(s)Production countrie(s)
Opening film
A Mosquito in the Ear Nicola RinciariUnited States, India
Closing film
Laundry UhlanjululoZamo MkhwanaziSwitzerland, South Africa

Awards

Cynthia Erivo - Wicked-FYC-2 (cropped).jpg
Jackie Sandler Adam Sandler Jay Kelly-36 (3x4).jpg
Stellan Skarsgard-9707 (cropped).jpg
Cynthia Erivo, Adam Sandler and Stellan Skarsgård, recipients of the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film, the Maltin Modern Master Award and the Montecito Award, respectively

References

  1. ↑ Gillies, Andrew (April 23, 2025). "Santa Barbara International Film Festival announces next year's event dates". KEYT-TV . Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Feinberg, Scott (October 3, 2025). "Santa Barbara Film Fest: 'Sinners' Star Michael B. Jordan Tapped for Performer of the Year Award". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Feinberg, Scott (August 19, 2025). "Santa Barbara Film Fest: 'Wicked' Star Cynthia Erivo Tapped for Kirk Douglas Award". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  4. 1 2 Hammond, Pete (October 15, 2025). "Adam Sandler to Be Honored with Maltin Modern Master Award at Santa Barbara Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Feinberg, Scott (October 30, 2025). "Santa Barbara Film Fest: Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Chase Infiniti Among Eight Tapped for Virtuosos Award". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved November 1, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Feinberg, Scott (November 13, 2025). "Santa Barbara Film Fest: 'Sentimental Value' Star Stellan Skarsgård Tapped for Montecito Award". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Hammond, Pete; Pedersen, Erik (January 6, 2026). "Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn & Benicio del Toro to Receive Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award at Santa Barbara Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Feinberg, Scott (January 13, 2026). "Santa Barbara Film Fest: 'Song Sung Blue' Star Kate Hudson Tapped for Arlington Artist of the Year Award (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  9. ↑ Dinaberg, Leslie (January 14, 2026). "The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival Brings a Feast of Movie Magic to Town". Santa Barbara Independent . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  10. ↑ Payton Turkeltaub (January 14, 2026). "Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro and More to Be Honored at the 2026 Santa Barbara International Film Festival". Variety . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
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