Variety Artisans Awards: SBIFF2026

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Variety will once again shine a spotlight on the artists who make movie magic possible with the Variety Artisans Awards, returning on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the historic Arlington Theatre.

Now in its 12th year, the Artisans Awards celebrate the craftspeople working behind the camera—those whose creative decisions shape how films look, sound, and feel. From music and cinematography to costume design, editing, sound, and visual effects, the evening honors the collaborative artistry at the heart of filmmaking.

This year’s honorees represent some of the most acclaimed films of the season, including Frankenstein, Marty Supreme, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Sinners, Train Dreams, F1, One Battle After Another, and KPop Demon Hunters. The event features one-on-one conversations followed by a panel discussion moderated by Jazz Tangcay, offering audiences rare insight into the creative process behind the year’s biggest films.

“These remarkable artists represent the very best of cinema this year,” said SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling, calling the evening a celebration of filmmaking as a collective art form. Tangcay echoed the sentiment, noting that the event is about “shining a light on their incredible artistry” and giving audiences a chance to hear directly from the craftspeople shaping modern cinema.

2026 Variety Artisans Awards Honorees

• Original Score: Alexandre Desplat — Frankenstein

• Original Song: EJAE — “Golden,” KPop Demon Hunters

• Production Design: Jack Fisk — Marty Supreme

• Costume Design: Kate Hawley — Frankenstein

• Makeup: Mike Hill — Frankenstein

• Editing: Andy Jurgensen — One Battle After Another

• Sound Editing: Al Nelson — F1

• Cinematography: Adolpho Veloso — Train Dreams

• Visual Effects: Eric Saindon — Avatar: Fire and Ash

• Sound Mixing: Chris Welcker — Sinners

Past recipients of the Variety Artisans Awards include Billie Eilish and Finneas (Barbie), Ludwig Göransson(Oppenheimer), Ruth Carter (Black Panther), Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (Mank), underscoring the event’s role in recognizing the often-unsung architects of cinematic storytelling.

At a festival known for celebrating directors and performers, the Variety Artisans Awards serve as a powerful reminder: unforgettable films are built by teams of artists whose work shapes every frame.