Santa Barbara International Film Festival Opens with “A Mosquito in the Ear”

The 41^st Santa Barbara International Film Festival was kicked off with a packed Arlington Theater and a welcome by Director Roger Durling.

Durling always leads an opening-night ritual where he has the house lights turned up and asks everyone to turn to someone near them that they don’t know and introduce themselves. 

His words this year had a special urgency, as he highlighted the current social and political erosion in our country, particularly the demonization of immigrants.  He underscored the danger of apathy in the face of injustice, cruelty and loss of freedom.

He pointed to Cabaret (1972), one of his favorite films, as a cautionary tale relevant to this moment. It takes place in Berlin at the end of the Weimar Republic as Fascism is growing. The characters choose to ignore the warnings, not believing they will continue or that they will be personally affected.

This message was brought full circle to emphasize the value of film and the stories they tell, and the importance of community through festival participation.

The opening night film, the US premiere of A Mosquito in the Ear, followed this moving introduction. It is the story of an American couple who arrive in Goa, India to adopt a 4-year-old girl from an orphanage. It is based on a true story, and the family was in attendance at the Arlington.

The couple are wholly unprepared for this experience, despite planning for years. They seem to lack any knowledge of Indian culture, or how they might get to know a child with whom they share no language.

Not surprisingly the girl is confused, and very reluctant to leave the only family she knows, the nuns and children at the orphanage. Gradually the parents adjust their expectations, and a bond is formed with the girl with the assistance of a senior nun.

Jake Lacy (The Office, White Lotus) and Nazanin Boniadi (Counterpart, Homeland) played the parents. The film was directed and co-written by Nicola Rinciari.

A Mosquito in the Ear will play again on February 14.

The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place February 4-14, 2026. Official events including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels and celebrity tributes will be 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.