Actor and Local Resident Jeff Bridges Presents the Award
The award this year was given to Ethan Hawke for his performance in Blue Moon, and looked back over his lengthy and extremely impressive career. In addition to being a prolific actor, Hawke has written and directed several movies, and is a fount of knowledge about music, history, theater, and many, many other subjects.
The always informed and friendly Dave Karger conducted the interview, and the evening played out as a warm and engaging conversation between the two. They talked about his early days as a child actor – at 15 he was cast in Explorers alongside River Phoenix, who become a close friend. His first real success came with Dead Poet’s Society, which was followed by several other notable roles. Another early hit was Reality Bites, which has become a cult favorite.
He has acted constantly, both in film and on stage (and more recently on television, on series such as The Lowdown). In addition to acting, he has directed plays and film, and written extensively.
His film career has included big budget films, but his real love has been independent film. He has not been afraid to dig deep into complicated characters, such as the conflicted priest in First Reformed or the troubled musician Chet Baker in Born to be Blue.
He is perhaps most well known for the Before Sunset trilogy, directed by Richard Linklater, with whom he has made a total of nine films. Their most recent collaboration was Blue Moon in which he plays songwriter Lorenz Hart. For this film Hawke undergoes a dramatic physical transformation, as Hart was very short and balding.
Hawke is an excellent raconteur, with remarkable insight and stories from his many friendships and collaborations. He also knows how to make a fashion statement as he wore a Western-style rhinestone-embellished suit for the evening. He and Karger had an easy rapport, and gave the audience many memorable anecdotes.
The award was given by Jeff Bridges, who, in spite of only recently meeting him, said that the felt that Hawke was an old friend.
He noted the similarities in their lives and careers: both were child actors, with a deep love of music and a shared joy in acting. He likened Hawke to Bridges’ father, Lloyd, who was a joyful presence on set and lifted up all who worked with him.
The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival takes place from February 4-14, 2026. Official events including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels and celebrity tributes are held throughout the city, including at the historic Arlington Theatre and the new McHurley Film Center. Passes for the 2026 Festival are on sale now at sbiff.org.
He used to be a sick skateboarder.
Tas Pappas landed the 900 before Ethan.