The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has recently made the exciting announcement that their 40th annual festival will be held in Santa Barbara, California, from February 4 to February 15. This year, in honor of the milestone, the festival will run for 12 days, providing ample opportunity to celebrate the world of cinema in all its glory. Roger Durling, the executive director of SBIFF, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating, “As we embark on our 40th year, we are proud of what we’ve accomplished and exhilarated for what is ahead of us. We will be announcing a few surprises in the next few months. Onward and upwards.”
The 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival will feature a diverse range of official events, including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes. These events will be scattered throughout the city, with venues including the iconic Arlington Theatre. Last year, at the 39th edition of the festival, attendees were treated to appearances from acclaimed Oscar-winners such as Robert Downey Jr., Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Billie Eilish, among others. The program showcased over 200 films from 48 countries, attracting filmmakers from around the globe, including Turkey, India, Israel, and Sierra Leone, with a notable emphasis on female representation.
For those eager to partake in this cinematic celebration, passes for the festival will be available for purchase in August, with a special 25% discount. As anticipation builds, the official lineup and schedule for the festival will be unveiled in January 2025, promising a captivating array of screenings, discussions, and activities for film enthusiasts of all backgrounds. As the Santa Barbara International Film Festival marks its 40th year, it continues to be a beacon for creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange within the realm of cinema.