Closing Film - Gray Matters (2007 SBIFF) - The closing night film at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival was Gray Matters, staring Heather Graham and Thomas Cavanagh, the guy who played Ed on TV.

Photos & Pictures (2007 SBIFF) - On Sunday Edhat was at the 10-10-10 student filmmaker awards, the red carpet for the closing film, and the final party at El Paseo. At the party we took pictures of people waving goobye to the '007 Festival. [100 pics]

Festival Awards (2007 SBIFF) - The 22nd Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced the winners of the 2007 festival competition at the Closing Night ceremonies

Forest Whitaker (2007 SBIFF) - Nicole walked out of the Arlington and back to my car in a daze, knowing that she had experienced something she had not experienced before. Forest Whitaker is not ony one of the greats in the acting world, but a rare individual in general.

Dance at the Festival (2007 SBIFF) - While the film festival focuses on film, with a plethora of titles to capture any interest, other art forms were interspersed throughout the festivities including dance. Did you know that that the Go Go Dancers at the parties were from the Ballet company?

Photos & Pictures (2007 SBIFF) - On Saturday, Edhat was in front of the Metro Four, at the world premiere of Season of The Samurai, and at the swanky party on State Street. [36 pics]

Season of The Samurai (2007 SBIFF) - Last weekend while we were doing interviews, we had the pleasure of interviewing Matthew Asner and Danny Gold, the directors of Season of The Samurai. And, when the world premiere of their film showed on Saturday night at the Lobero, we were curious enough to check it out.

Scoring the Film Panel (2007 SBIFF) - Saturday was a beautiful day. The sun was out and the weather was perfect for the walk from the Metro Four up to the Lobero to see the panel, Scoring the Film. I hummed a little walking tune as I went, just getting into to the spirit of the event. I was hoping there would be music.

Women in the Biz Panel (2007 SBIFF) - The whole tenor of the event was positive, professional and delightfully devoid of gender-coded angst. I believe that was due, in large part, to the fact that the panelists were all women who had achieved significant successes in all aspects of the film industry.

SBPD Saves SBIFF (2007 SBIFF) - Today as part of the Fund for Santa Barbara Social Justice Award contest we screened Beyond The Call at 1:30 at the Marjorie Luke. But we almost didn't show the film.

An Inconvenient Truth (2007 SBIFF) - Al Gore and Davis Guggenheim received the Attenborough Award. Al Gore asked the audience to unlock the future, instead of brandishing about our selfish self-destructive generation. It's our moral imperative to stop the global warming that we are largely responsible for.

Award Pictures (2007 SBIFF) - Al Gore and Davis Guggenheim received the Attenborough Award at the Arlington. Edhat took some pictures outside on the red carpet and inside on the stage.

Party Pictures (2007 SBIFF) - The party after the Al Gore Awards Ceremony was on the bottom floor of the Anacota Building, where the Sleep Center used to be.

Dr. Henry Morgentaler (2007 SBIFF) - While the crowd was arriving at the Arlington Theater last night to see Al Gore receive his Attenborough Award, across the street at Cafe Buenos Aires, was a reception for Dr. Henry Morgentaler. Chances are you haven't heard about Morgentaler.

Secret of the Cave (2007 SBIFF) - We had a brief chat at the Hotel Santa Barbara with Mark Thomas, the producer of Secret of the Cave. Mark's film will be shown Saturday morning at 9:00AM as part of the Film Festival's Apple Box program. All Apple Box films are free; everyone is welcome.

Edhat Photos (2007 SBIFF) - We took photos at the To The Maxxx sidebar party at Longboards on Stearns Wharf. Was there anyone you know at the party?

Director's Panel II (2007 SBIFF) - Nicole provides a super fact-charged report of the director's on directing confab from last Saturday. The report is late because of a sick child ... and because Nicole had trouble reading her notes.

Quick Movie Reviews (2007 SBIFF) - Throughout the Festival Edhat will be posting movies reviews of the movies we see and decide to write about. New today are reviews of The Island and Away From Her.

Edhat Photos (2007 SBIFF) - We took pictures in front of Metro Four, at the Location Panel, in the Press Room, and at the Centerpiece Party (of the food and the guests).

Amazing Grace, Centerpiece Film (2007 SBIFF) - The story is of one man's unrelenting attempt to correct a human injustice was most welcome. The film is about eighteenth century British Parliamentarian William Wilberforce's long political battle to terminate his country's participation in the slave trade.

Dinner Impossible (2007 SBIFF) - The SBIFF Press Room was abuzz with the news that the Food Network was filming Dinner Impossible in the courtyard of the Arlington Theater. This was going to be a big media event. It was a major coup for Roger Durling who seems to be able to keep a secret.

Location Location Location (2007 SBIFF) - I didn't really expect to like the discussion, because I've heard it so many times - pointing fingers and rehashing the same old problems. But I have to say it was a positive group with a lot of good things to say about innovative and common sense steps that are being taken toward environmental sustainability in the film industry.

Director Interviews (2007 SBIFF) - The dedicated staff of edhat.com conducted some interviews with directors in front of the Metro 4. Just what are these directors thinking?

Teen Press (2007 SBIFF) - Mid-way through the SBIFF, Edhat checked in with the Santa Barbara Middle School (SBMS) Teen Press and caught up with Jackie Botts, Derek Simons, Ana Vermeulen, Alexa Forman, Eli Himovitz, Charlotte Brace, Margaret Easter, and Alissa Jared.

Djimon Hounsou (2007 SBIFF) - Djimon Hounsou inspired a crowd for the Conversations With... after a special showing of Blood Diamond. For this Edhat reporter, it wasnt hard to see why. He is good looking, articulate, gracious, funny, and serious.

Pedometer Contest (2007 SBIFF) - Remember the SBIFF staff pedometer contest? Did Jeremy's sitting and banana diet fully prepare him for the rigors of pedometering? Was Mike kidding about having access to walking enhancement substances? And, what about the French guy? Today, we give you an update.

Holocaust Films (2007 SBIFF) - Trying to convey with words the emotions I felt during and after watching these two films is one of the hardest things I've ever had to write. As my response to these two films, I've decided to write a letter to my two daughters.

The Hospitality Suite (2007 SBIFF) - Tuesday the Film Festival received rain, lots of it. During a mid-afternoon break, I visited the hospitality suite at the Hotel Santa Barbara, where filmmakers and pass holders can sip on Smart Water and Red Bull, check their email, read magazines and lounge on couches.

Crude Impact (2007 SBIFF) - This movie takes An Inconvenient Truth to the next level of personal responsibility. Know your ecological footprint. Change to compact florescent light bulbs, get energy efficient appliances, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and elect officials who will enact regulations for our own good.

Pictures! (2007 SBIFF) - On Monday the Edhat camera took pictures of Bill Condon, Dream Girls, Actor from Bella, and lots of people at the Heaven and Hell party at Q's. [49 pics]

Bill Condon (2007 SBIFF) - A small intimate crowd was on hand Monday night at the Lobero Theater to watch Bill Condon receive the Montecito Award, an honor reserved for filmmakers of continued distinction.

Bella (2007 SBIFF) - Director Alejandro Gomez Monteverde envisioned the entire story of Bella on his drive from his home in Austin, Texas to Los Angeles to make a movie with his long-time friend, Eduardo Verastegui.

Hanging at Victoria Hall (2007 SBIFF) - Over at Victoria Hall was a more subdued and freshly shaven group waiting to take in Good to Great, directed by Santa Barbaras own Sam Tyler. Based on the best-selling book by Jim Collins, Good to Great offers an insightful look at what makes top companies successful.

Geisha, Johnny, and W (2007 SBIFF) - Barbara Vilander went to see Geisha: An Artists Journey, which she enjoyed it and rated it as 2 and a half water polo balls. She also saw Do it for Johnny and Much Ado About W: Art Wars of Santa Barbara.

Director's Panel (2007 SBIFF) - Directors on Directing is my favorite event of the film festival, hands down. It's a combination of a small reunion, full of genuine admiration for their fellow directors and a love of film and film festivals. And every single one of them is refreshingly direct, honest, and NICE.

Producer's Panel (2007 SBIFF) - The irony is that the Oscar does not have a Best Producer category. Producers pick up the Best Picture Oscar – the most coveted award. Naturally people who put substantial money in the film like to see their name in the credits.

Finding Kraftland (2007 SBIFF) - By far the funniest director interview we did was with Adam Shell and Richard Kraft who were there to promote their film, Finding Kraftland. It was so funny that a small crowd gathered around to watch, and it prompted us to watch the movie.

Counting Backwards (2007 SBIFF) - Counting Backwards centered around Ben Montague's character Joe, who meets Claire (Elaine Robinson) in a bar. Their awkward dates and humorous banter go beyond the ordinary dating mishaps: he spills wine on her dress, and even hits her inadvertently while trying to park, breaking her arm.

Lost Souls (2007 SBIFF) - Not a movie about ghosts, but one about gods, Lost Souls contains some statistics. Santa Barbara resident Natalie Sanderson filmed the documentary in Nepal and the U.S., at times navigating bureaucracy to obtain permits, other times surreptitiously filming with a small camera on the sly.

Michael Angarano (2007 SBIFF) - The postfilm Q&A for Man in the Chair was about to start. The news was that Michael Angarano was going to there. When we told the pressroom that his named didn't ring a bell with us, we were told that the actor is currently on the TV show, 24, and he was also in the Dogtown movie.

Will Smith Tribute (2007 SBIFF) - His antics during the Modern Master Award Ceremony exemplified why Smith is a successful comedic and dramatic actor, and why hes been nominated for the second time for the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Director Interviews (2007 SBIFF) - The dedicated staff of edhat.com has been standing out in front of the Metro 4 interviewing Directors with films in the Festival.

Price of Paradise (2007 SBIFF) - Housing is supposed to be available for its workforce. At a very minimum the county should provide housing for key employment groups: police, fire, teachers, and administrative support personnel. That is the subject of The Price of Paradise.

Saturday the Edhat camera was focused on the press breakfast with directors, the rainy scene in front of the Metro 4, and the super crowded party at the Biltmore. [65 pics]

SBIFF Director Roger Durling and Edhat report Felicia Tomasko took pictures at the Will Smith Tribute [19 pics]

Helen Mirren Tribute (2007 SBIFF) - Well, there is nothing even vaguely hamlike in her character, The Queen, but, oh, is there some ham in Helen Mirren! I am talking no stranger to swearing, tattoo wearing, bum bearing ham.

Sacha Baron Cohen (2007 SBIFF) - Zero. That was the number of cameras allowed into the Lobero Theatre during the question and answer session with star Sacha Baron Cohen, producer Jay Roach and writers Anthony Hines and Peter Baynham following a screening of film Borat.

Yan England (2007 SBIFF) - Yan England just turned 25 in December. He has been acting since he was 11. He is here to promote his very first film, a 16-minute short called, Moi.

Arctic Expedition (2007 SBIFF) - Yesterday, the dedicated staff of edhat.com ran into local filmmaker Gail Osherenko in the lobby of the Hotel Santa Barbara. Gail was dropping off information on her film short, Arctic Expedition at the pressroom in the SBIFF Hub.

Friday at the Film Festival the Edhat camera was focused on the crowd lining up to see Sacha Cohen, ducks and people at the Hotel Santa Barbara, and the party-goers at the Helen Mirren after-tribute-party at the Brooks campus in Montecito. [40 pics]

Opening Night (2007 SBIFF) - Last year my preparations for opening night went like this: I ate some shredded wheat for dinner, wore some very large earrings in the hopes of distracting others from noticing how nervous I was and then I went and saw a bad movie. This year I had Cheerios for dinner, ditched the large earrings.

Opening Night Interviews (2007 SBIFF) - The dedicated staff of edhat.com was out in front of the Arlington for the Opening Night Film of the Festival. We interviewed the crowd (and eachother).

The Edhat camera was at the Film Festival hub watching people arrive, at the opening movie at the Arlington, and at the party at Paseo Nuevo. [59 pics]

Ciao Manhattan (2007 SBIFF) - Languishing amid the cult films at Video Shmideo is a disturbingly humorous film that tells us more than we really care to know about Edie Sedgwick.

10-10-10 Student Interviews (2007 SBIFF) - On Wednesday, the clock started on the 10-10-10 student filmmaking competition. Edhat interviewed some of the students after the script assignements were made.

Wednesday night was the annual Film Festival Volunteer Ice Cream Social at Cold Stone Creamery on lower State. The volunteers, some of them first timers, some of them twenty-year veterans, lined up for free ice cream and toppings. [links to pics]

Staff Pedometer Contest - Edhat has convinced the staff to wear pedometers for the duration of the Festival and to report each day on Edhat, how many miles they walked. Last Friday, with the start of the pedometer marathon less than one week away, the dedicated staff of edhat.com interviewed the dedicated staff of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. [videos]

We're not the only ones covering the Festival. Here are links the other media coverage of the event.