FilmDrops
2025 SBIFF Writers Panel
11:00AM - Arlington Theatre, Saturday, February 8, 2025
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is set to celebrate some of the most talked-about performances of the season with its annual Virtuosos Awards on Sunday, February 9, at 8:00 PM at the Arlington Theatre. This prestigious event, designed to recognize a select group of rising and established talents sold out quickly.
This year’s honorees include a mix of industry veterans, rising stars, and major pop culture figures, all of whom have delivered standout performances in their respective films:
2025 SBIFF Writers Panel
- Peter Straughan - Oscar Nominee - Adapted Screenplay (Conclave)
- Joslyn Barnes - Oscar Nominee - Adapted Screenplay (Nickel Boys)
- Clint Bentley - Oscar Nominee - Adapted Screenplay (Sing Sing)
- Mona Fastvold - Oscar Nominee - Original Screenplay (The Brutalist)
- Tim Fehlbaum - Oscar Nominee - Original Screenplay (September 5)
- Jesse Eisenberg - (A Real Pain)
Related Cards
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Sing Sing (2024)
Based on the true story of a man imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn't commit.
A Real Pain (2024)
Mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.
September 5 (2024)
Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film follows an American Sports broadcasting team that quickly adapted from sports reporting to live coverage of the Israeli athletes taken hostage.
Nickel Boys (2024)
From Academy Award Nominee RaMell Ross comes “A New American Masterpiece”.
The Brutalist (2024)
Escaping post-war Europe, visionary architect László Toth arrives in America to rebuild his life, his work, and his marriage to his wife Erzsébet after being forced apart during wartime by shifting borders and regimes.
Conclave (2024)
The pope is dead. The throne is vacant. From director Edward Berger, CONCLAVE follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope.
“This year’s lineup is as impressive as ever, ranging from megastars like Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande to veteran actors like Kieran Culkin and John Magaro, to true breakouts like Clarence Maclin, Mikey Madison, Harris Dickinson, and Karla Sofía Gascón,” said Karger.
The Virtuosos Award has become one of SBIFF’s most anticipated events, spotlighting rising talent who have captivated audiences and critics alike. Past honorees have included Oscar winners and nominees such as Lily Gladstone, Austin Butler, Ke Huy Quan, and Zendaya.
