SBIFF’s Names its 2026 Outstanding Directors of the Year

Ryan Coogler (“Sinners”), Josh Safdie (“Marty Supreme”), Joachim Trier (“Sentimental Value”) and Chloé Zhao (“Hamnet) will receive the Outstanding Directors of the Year Award in celebration of their Academy Award nominations for Best Director at the 41st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

They will be honored on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at the historic Arlington Theatre. The evening will be moderated by The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg.
 
“Ryan, Josh, Joachim and Chloé represent the wide breadth of contemporary filmmaking. In their Oscar nominated films, they each demonstrated an extraordinary command of craft and storytelling, creating work that is both deeply personal and globally resonant.

At a time when audiences are craving bold voices, these directors have delivered films that challenge, inspire and elevate cinema. We are honored to celebrate their achievements,” said SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling. 
 
The Outstanding Director of the Year Award celebrates filmmakers whose singular vision and command of craft have shaped the cinematic conversation of the year. Recent recipients include Jacques Audiard (“Emilia Pérez”), Sean Baker (“Anora”), Brady Corbet (“The Brutalist”), Coralie Fargeat (“The Substance”), James Mangold (“A Complete Unknown”), Martin Scorsese (“Killers of the Flower Moon”), Justine Triet (“Anatomy of a Fall”), Todd Field (“Tár”), Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”), Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”), Ryusuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Car”), Steven Spielberg (“West Side Story”), Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”), David Fincher (“Mank”), Lee Isaac Chung (“Minari”), and Thomas Vinterberg (“Another Round”).

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.

Recently announced tributes include Michael B. Jordan (Outstanding Performer of the Year Award), Adam Sandler (Maltin Modern Master Award), Stellan Skarsgård (Montecito Award), Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro (Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award), Kate Hudson (Arlington Artist of the Year Award), Ethan Hawke (American Riviera Award) and the Virtuosos Award honoring Jacob Elordi, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Chase Infiniti, Amy Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku, Wagner Moura, Sydney Sweeney, Teyana Taylor and Jeremy Allen White.

Last year, the Festival featured more than 200 films, including 33 world premieres and 74 U.S. premieres from 60 countries, and celebrated more than 50 Academy Award winners and nominees. A-list and industry guests will once again ascend to Santa Barbara, solidifying the Festival as a must-stop on the awards circuit.