This could have been one of the brightest and best Santa Barbara Film Festivals yet, but I’ve been saying that every year for so many years. I never cease to be amazed at the aura of excitement that fills our city each year, and it is such an honor to be a small part of the countless army of film loving locals who make Santa Barbara International Film Festival, considered among the best ten festivals in the world, once again live up to everyone’s highest expectations to be amazing at bringing many of the brightest stars to our renowned SBIFF Arlington Theatre Red Carpet, and attracting filmmakers from around the world to share their outstanding work.
It is such a unique experience to be enjoyed and savored by area residents and visiting film lovers who keep coming back every year. Let’s face it forty-one years is a pretty impressive history. Below please enjoy a running record of delight’s I enjoyed during this 41st SBIFF.
10 DAYS OF FILM MAGIC AT 2026 SBIFF
My opening day adventures included a visit to the brand-new SBIFF McHurley Film Center where workers were frantically putting on finishing touches for SBIFF 2026 film presentations. Films from around the world were enjoyed by attendees throughout the festival, and I was delighted to speak with the project manager Andrew and one of his workers Angel who offered a brief tour.
The McHurley Film Center is an outstanding venue for current and future community film presentation needs, and it is beautiful! Films throughout the ten-day festival were also shown at SBIFF Riviera Theatre near the El Encanto Hotel.
OPENING NIGHT FILM “A MOSQUITO IN THE EAR”
Day one included some ‘woman on the street’ fun at the Arlington Theatre meeting local friends like Carolyn Jabs, President of the Women’s Fund for SB and her husband, who are both big supporters of SBIFF, and were looking forward to seeing the Maltin Modern Master Award presented to Adam Sandler. Also met people who traveled to the festival from around the country as well. Roger Durling, Executive Director of SBIFF, was a surprise sight out there talking to early arrivals who were waiting to greet all the celebrities walking the red carpet and were hoping to get autographs from Adam Sandler.
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Carroll on the State Street – Chats with the Jab’s family – savoring Carlito’s shrimp salad – getting a personal welcome from SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling (photos: BCarroll, LBN)
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I adored my annual quick dinner at Carlito’s Mexican Restaurant while watching SBIFF staff setting up the red-carpet entry accoutrement and spoke with a Montana couple who were vacationing in Santa Barbara and were thrilled to have an opportunity to attend the SBIFF events. Big kudos to all the volunteers who make this magic happen every night at the Arlington, and additional festival venues.
ADAM SANDLER PRESENTED THE SBIFF MALTIN MODERN MASTER AWARD
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Presenter Dustin Hoffman, Leonard Maltin Interview, Adam Sandler Thankyou Message (photos: BCarroll, LBN)
It was a fabulous funny evening at the Arlington Theatre filled with belly laughs watching red carpet arrivals, Leonard Maltin Interviewing Sandler and sometimes Sandler interviewing Maltin, leading up to the presentation of the Maltin Modern Master Award, an award which recognizes an individual who has enriched our culture through their accomplishments in the motion picture industry, as well as his outstanding work in film.
Leonard Maltin did a great interview with entertaining clips from many of Sandler’s beloved films and the audience enjoyed every minute. Longtime friend and film associate Dustin Hoffman presented the award to Sandler, finishing his presentation by sharing that Sandler was not only one of the funniest talents in the business but was also an amazing human being. This was an evening of pure love and respect, along with uncontrollable laughter. I was so grateful to be there to see this special tribute given to Adam Sandler.
AMERICAN RIVIERA AWARD WENT TO ETHAN HAWKE
The Ethan Hawke American Riviera Award, an award recognizing outstanding achievement in American film was Presented by Jeff Bridges, Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winner, who joined Hawke in signing autographs and greeting the huge crowd of fans outside the Arlington Theatre. Dave Karger moderated a conversation on stage where notable performances were discussed. Santa Barbara locals were delighted to see Jeff Bridges, one of their own, present this award to Hawke.
WOMEN’S PANEL
After an early morning breakfast at Renaud’s I was off to a favorite event The Women’s Panel, with moderated interviews at the Arlington Theatre that included Yvett Merino Forthcoming , Producer Zootopia 2 Natalie Musteata, Writer/Director – Two People Exchanging Saliva, Alisa Payne, Producer – The Perfect Neighbor, Ashley Schalaifer, Producer and Train Dreams, Laia Casanovas, Sound who all shared their frustrations and joys of working on great film teams in 2025. This panel discussion is a must for all the back history on individual working experiences in award-winning films, and was moderated by Madelyn Hammond, President of Madelym Hammond & Associates. (Photo: BCarroll, LBN)
TOTAL COMFORT AT NEW SBIFF FILM CENTER
Adored the beautiful and totally comfortable new SBIFF Film Center on State Street, with totally comfortable seats, and great sound systems abound. I chatted with locals and out-of-town visitors in line waiting to see “If These Walls Could Rock” the funny and amazing story of the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood that was home for years to countless major ‘bad boy’ rock stars. Based on a book If these Walls Could Rock by Mark Rosenthal and Craig A. Williams. (Photo: BCarroll, LBN)
VARIETY ARTISAN AWARDS
The Variety Artisan Awards celebrated professionals who are essential to the filmmaking process honored Alexandre Desplat (Frankenstein), EJAE (KPOP Demon Hunters), Jack Fisk (Marty Supreme), Kate Hawley (Frankenstein), Mike Hill (Frankenstein) Andy Jurgensen (One Battle After Another), Al Nelson(F1), Adolpho Veloso (Train Dreams), Eric Saindon (Avatar: Fire and Ash) and Chris Welcker (Sinners). (Photo: Becky Sapp, Getty)
VIRTUOSOS AWARD
The Virtuosos Award presented by Nora McNeely Hurley Foundation, narrated by Actress Jane Byrne
The Virtuosos Award Virtuosos Award honors contemporary cinema actors for breakthrough performances and included Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Amy Madigan (Weapons), Wunmi Mosaka (Sinners), Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent), Sydney Sweeney (Christy), Tenyana Taylor (One Battle After Another). (Photo: Getty)
HAMMOND CINEMA VANGUARD AWARD
Doing my reporter on the street best I was Delighted to see Shelby Sim, President and CEO of Visit Santa Ynez Valley, and wife Amy Sim at Opal Restaurant enjoying the festival experience on their way to the Arlington Theatre before the red carpet for Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award, and I was happy to catch up on latest delicious Restaurant Week news on Santa Ynez Valley.
41ST SBIFF DIRECTOR’S AWARD
These brilliant brave hearts arrived at the red carpet in one horrible storm, but graciously posed for photos and greeted fans who had waited for them in the torrential rain. The Award ceremony and interview were excellent and highly informational regarding their outstanding film work.
Stellan Skarsgard Montecito Award Recipient
Famed Swedish Actor Stellan Skarsgard 74, who began his acting career at 10 years of age, was honored with the Montecito Award at the 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) on Wednesday, February 11 in an evening that spotlighted his widely acclaimed turn in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value. Skarsgard shared stories on his acting career, which included more than 120 films since his film debut at age 20, with editor-at-large for IndieWire Anne Thompson.
Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies
Each year over 800 area school kids are bused to the Arlington Theatre for a movie field trip that is always fun to watch. I stood outside the theatre and asked kid’s how they like it and they all shared it was fun and they “loved it”! Many thanks to SBIFF staff, the teachers and volunteers and film makers who make this magical movie day possible for local kids!
Outstanding Performer of the Year – Michael B. Jordan
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SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling congratulates Michael B. Jordan – Delroy Lindo presents SBIFF Outstanding Performer Award (photo: BCarroll)
Michael B. Jordan stepped on stage at the Arlington Theatre to be greeted by a full house of enthusiastic fans and his entire family, who thoroughly enjoyed his interview with Roger Durling, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Michael’s first action was to give a grateful ‘heads up’ to his lovely mother Donna Jordan, and family members Jamila Jordan and Khalid Jordan sitting in the audience.
Roger Durling moderated the interesting career history and variety of film clips that were so enjoyed by the audience. The amazing film history of this exciting young actor/director is commendable, as well as his great love affair with film, the craft of acting and then directing.
Delroy Lindo, long-time friend and film associate (who had a prominent role in Sinners written and directed by Ryan Coogler) presented the award with so much love and very touching words of admiration for Michael B. Jordan the actor, director and dear friend. Delroy was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor in Sinners, with Michael B. Jordan who was nominated for a Best Actor award; Sinners received 16 nominations for the 98th Academy Awards to be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 15, 2026.
Kate Hudson – Arlington Artist of the Year 2026
Gwyneth Paltrow Presented the SBIFF Award to Kate Hudson (photo: BCarroll)
The 2026 Arlington Artist of the Year Award was presented to Academy Award nominee Kate Hudson, which was presented by Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Primetime Emmy Award winning actress and long-time friend Gwyneth Paltrow.
The evening spotlighted Hudson’s performance in Craig Brewer’s critically acclaimed musical drama, Song Sung Blue, for which she was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award and a SAG Actor Award. The evening additionally celebrated her film career of more than two decades, spanning her work in Almost Famous; How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days; Raising Helen; You, Me and Dupree; Nine; Deepwater Horizon; Marshall and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. The conversation also touched on her music career and recent Netflix television show, Running Point.
Hudson is the second person to receive this award from SBIFF. Timothée Chalamet received the inaugural award in 2025.
Closing Day & Film “Laundry”
“Laundry” was the closing evening film, preceded by a Writer’s Panel, and daytime 10-10-10 Film Competition and Student Shorts that attracted supportive crowds to watch the work created by area youth.
The 2026 Audience Choice Awards were announced and presented at a media breakfast on Valentine’s Day morning and winners included. Read more about the winners here.
good riddance! cant stand this thing. brings a bunch of rude people in town that spend very little aside of lodging.
They spend a lot on dining.
Beyond that, just shut down and leave town for a week if it triggers you so much–you know the film industry was here long before you.