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SBIFF 2025

Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2025: Must-See Events

The 40th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) runs from February 4–15, 2025, bringing Hollywood’s brightest stars, exclusive premieres, and industry honors to the heart of Santa Barbara. Here’s a breakdown of the key events happening each day:

Tuesday, February 11

• Timothée Chalamet honored as the Arlington Artist of the Year (8:00 PM, Arlington Theatre).

• A Conversation with 8-Time Oscar Nominee Writer/Director James Mangold following a FREE screening of A COMPLETE UNKNOWN Tuesday, February 11 - (2:00PM, Arlington Theatre)

• Free Filmmaker Seminars - Open to the public, 735 State Street, Suite 103 - Sponsored by Fuji Film - The Art of the Narrative: Crafting the Screenplay - 11:00AM

For more detail about today - goto out TODAY at SBIFF Drop

​​​​​Wednesday, February 12

• Zoe Saldaña receives the American Riviera Award (8:00 PM, Arlington Theatre).
• Free Filmmaker Seminars - Open to the public, 735 State Street, Suite 103 - Sponsored by Fuji Film - Painting with Light: Visual Storytelling - 11:00AM

Thursday, February 13

• Adrien Brody & Guy Pearce honored with the Cinema Vanguard Award (8:00 PM, Arlington Theatre).
• Free Filmmaker Seminars - Open to the public, 735 State Street, Suite 103 - Sponsored by Fuji Film - Performance and Collaboration: Directing Actors - 11:00AM

Friday, February 14

• Colman Domingo receives the Montecito Award (8:00 PM, Arlington Theatre).
• Free Filmmaker Seminars - Open to the public, 735 State Street, Suite 103 - Sponsored by Fuji Film - Fight the Power: Documentary Activism - 11:00AM

Saturday, February 15 – Closing Night

• Final screening: A Missing Part (8:00 PM, Arlington Theatre).
• Women's Panel - 11:00AM - Arlington Theatre

• On both Saturdays of the Film Festival, we will be showing the year’s top animated films for FREE at the Marjorie Luke Theatre at 721 East Cota St. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis following passholder admission.

  • Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl - 10:00AM

  • The Wild Robot - 2:00PM

Final Thoughts

With exclusive premieres, red carpet tributes, and appearances by Hollywood’s biggest stars, SBIFF 2025 is set to be an unforgettable cinematic celebration.

For the full schedule and ticket details, visit sbiff.org.

Tuesday, February 4 – Opening Night

• The festival kicks off with the Jane Austen Wrecked My Life at the Arlington Theatre (8:00 PM). [View The Drop]
• Red carpet event before the screening.

Wednesday, February 5

• Angelina Jolie receives the Maltin Modern Master Award at a sold-out tribute (8:00 PM, Arlington Theatre). [View The Drop]
• Free Filmmaker Seminars - Open to the public, 735 State Street, Suite 103 - Sponsored by Fuji Film - Making Your Debut: First Time Filmmakers - 11:00 AM
• ANIMATION PANEL (FREE ADMISSION) - 5:00PM - Arlington Theatre

Thursday, February 6

• Ralph Fiennes honored with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award for his role in Conclave (8:00 PM, Arlington Theatre). Red carpet event before the tribute.
• Free Filmmaker Seminars - Open to the public, 735 State Street, Suite 103 - Sponsored by Fuji Film - The Female Gaze: Women Storytellers - 11:00 AM

Friday, February 7

• U.S. Premiere Kevin Costner's of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2 (6:00 PM, Arlington Theatre).
• Q&A with Costner following the screening.
• Demi Moore Retrospective: Indecent Proposal screening (5:40 PM, SBIFF Film Center).
• Free Filmmaker Seminars - Open to the public, 735 State Street, Suite 103 - Sponsored by Fuji Film - Final Cut: Assembling the Edit - 11:00 AM

Saturday, February 8

• Variety Artisans Award honors industry creatives at 8:00 PM (Arlington Theatre):
  • Judy Becker (The Brutalist) – Production Design
  • Kris Bowers (The Wild Robot) – Original Score
  • Clement Ducol & Camille (Emilia Pérez) – Original Song
  • Nick Emerson (Conclave) – Editing
  • Jomo Fray (Nickel Boys) – Cinematography
  • Tod Maitland (A Complete Unknown) – Sound
  • Pierre-Olivier Persin (The Substance) – Hair/Makeup
  • Paul Tazewell (Wicked) – Costume Design
  • Erik Winquist (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) – VFX
• Writers Panel - 11:00AM - Arlington Theatre

• On both Saturdays of the Film Festival, we will be showing the year’s top animated films for FREE at the Marjorie Luke Theatre at 721 East Cota St. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis following passholder admission.

  • Inside Out 2 - 10:00AM

  • Flow - 2:00PM

Sunday, February 9

• 2:00 PM: The Substance screening followed by a conversation with Demi Moore (Free event with limited priority tickets).
• 8:00 PM: Virtuosos Award Tribute at the Arlington Theatre (red carpet preceding), honoring:
  • Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
  • Harris Dickinson (Babygirl)
  • Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Pérez)
  • Selena Gomez (Emilia Pérez)
  • Ariana Grande (Wicked)
  • Clarence Maclin (Sing Sing)
  • Mikey Madison (Anora)
  • John Magaro (September 5)
• International Directors Panel - 11:00AM - Arlington Theatre

Monday, February 10

• Demi Moore Retrospective: Ghost screening (Free event, 11:00AM - Arlington Theatre).
• Free Filmmaker Seminars - Open to the public, 735 State Street, Suite 103 - Sponsored by Fuji Film - Getting the Scoop: Journalism in Film - 11:00AM
• 5:00 PM: Producers Panel at the Arlington Theatre, with:
  • Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)
  • Cale Boyter (Dune: Part Two)
  • Alex Coco (Anora)
  • Alex Heineman (A Complete Unknown)
  • Brian Young (The Brutalist)
• 8:00 PM: Outstanding Directors Award at Arlington Theatre, honoring:
  • Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)
  • Coralie Fargeat (The Substance)
  • Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez)
  • James Mangold (A Complete Unknown)
  • Sean Baker (Anora)