Adam Sandler receives Maltin Modern Master Award: SBIFF2026

At the 41st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Adam Sandler was honored with the Maltin Modern Master Award, recognizing an individual who has enriched our culture through outstanding achievements in the motion picture industry. The award was presented by acclaimed actor and filmmaker Dustin Hoffman during a completely sold-out evening, underscoring Sandler’s enduring impact across comedy, drama, and popular culture.

The celebration extended well beyond the stage, with a lively filmmaker red carpet featuring an impressive lineup of talent. In attendance was Oscar-winning actress Jane Fonda, joined by members of Gaslit, including actress Connie Britton, director Katie Camosy, and film subjects Diane Wilson and Jenny Espino. Also appearing were Dear Laradirector Lara St. John alongside producer Patrick Hamm, executive producer Stephen Judson, associate producer Sanjana Bhambhani, consulting producer Christy McGill, and editor Christie Herring.

Additional red carpet guests included Cuba & Alaska director Yegor Troyanovsky with producer Olha Bregman, associate producer Ethan Bregman, and film protagonists Iuliia Sidorova and Oleksandra Lysytska; Little Lorrainedirector Andy Hines, producer Tom Doiron, and actor Auden Thornton; and Mockbuster director Anthony Frith, actor-producers Brendan Petrizzo and Paul Bales, and executive producer Madeleine Schumacher—rounding out a night that highlighted both established icons and emerging voices from across the film community.