Michael B. Jordan to Receive Outstanding Performer Award at Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Michael B. Jordan will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 41st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Jordan will be honored on Thursday, February 12th for his acclaimed dual performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack in Warner Bros.’ cultural and box office juggernaut SINNERS. In his fifth collaboration with director Ryan Coogler, Jordan delivered a virtuosic and career-best performance as the twins who return to their hometown in the 1930s Jim Crow-era South, only to find themselves facing a dark, evil, presence. Widely lauded by critics, the film marked the biggest debut for an original film since 2019, grossing more than $366 million worldwide.
 
“I have been a stalwart Michael B. Jordan fan since his days on The Wire, and now he’s a bonafide box office star giving one of the year’s most intricate performances – make that two – in ‘Sinners’,” says SBIFF’s Executive Director, Roger Durling. “He does incredibly nuanced work creating two specific characters – the brothers Smoke and Stack – and when they interact with each other, it’s pure alchemy. We’re pleased to honor him with our Outstanding Performer of the Year Award,” he added.
 
Michael B. Jordan came to national attention as Wallace in one of the most acclaimed dramas in television history, The Wire, and later, his indelible performance in the critically lauded series Friday Night Lights. His outstanding work brought him to the attention of up-and-coming writer/director Ryan Coogler, who chose Jordan to headline his first feature film, the now iconic Fruitvale Station. The collaboration netted Jordan such honors as an Independent Spirit Award nomination and a Gotham Award win, and also began a years-long artistic relationship with Coogler. The two continued their work together with Creed, breathing new life into the Rocky franchise, followed by the history-making Black Panther and culminating in their latest achievement, the groundbreaking, wholly original SINNERS.  
 
Recognized as one of Hollywood’s most dynamic forces, Jordan made his directorial debut with Creed III, which broke records as the highest-grossing opening ever for a sports film. He will next direct, produce and star in a reimagining of The Thomas Crown Affair for Amazon MGM Studios. Through his production company, Outlier Society, Jordan is developing a diverse slate of projects with Amazon, Paramount, and Tri-Star. A TIME 100 honoree and recipient of the Academy Museum’s Vanguard Award, Jordan’s philanthropic initiatives include the Outlier Society Fellowship and creating the HBCU Legacy Classic.

The Outstanding Performer of the Year Award recognizes select individuals who have distinguished themselves with exceptional performances in film. Past recipients of the award include Ralph Fiennes, Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Sacha Baron Cohen, Adam Driver, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan, Steve Carell, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Viola Davis, James Franco, Colin Firth, Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Heath Ledger, Kate Winslet and Charlize Theron.