37th Santa Barbara International Film Festival excitement kicks off with a poster unveiling

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The 37th Santa Barbara International Film Festival has unveiled its poster and a line up filled with Oscar nominees.

With nervous excitement Executive Director Roger Durling said after two years, the festival will have in person films, tributes and panel discussions. The event runs March 2-12.

COVID protocols will have to be followed by staff, volunteers and all attending.

Many Academy Award nominees will be attending and part of the special ceremonies.

The poster was designed by artist Hank Pitcher of Santa Barbara and features a surfer at Coal Oil Point by UC Santa Barbara, gazing out to the ocean. He said it reflects a time of mind wandering and dreams, something that often happens when someone goes in to a movie theatre and sees a film.

He remarked, “Standing on a beach, looking out to sea, or sitting in a theater looking at the screen, we project our hopes and dreams out onto those vast surfaces. It is like waiting in line to buy a ticket, then walking through the lobby into the auditorium to find a seat, or going to the shore and walking down to stand by the water. Both are about desire and discovery. I love big old movie theaters like the Riviera and the Arlington and the Granada. I have long thought of my painting as a way to stop the film at my favorite part and walk up on the stage and into the scene to look around.”

The festival will have 48 world premiers, 95 U.S. premiers and represent 54 countries. Durling said that is a record.

The Opening Night Film, presented by UGG^®, on Wednesday, March 2 will be the U.S. Premiere of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPEN, a heartwarming British comedy starring Oscar winners Sally Hawkins and Mark Rylance. The film is based on the true story of Maurice Fitcroft, who entered the 1976 British Open despite never having played a round of golf before.

The SBIFF says the 2022 festival will close on Saturday, March 12 with DIONNE WARWICK: DON’T MAKE ME OVER, with the iconic singer in attendance. The documentary follows Warwick as she smashed through cultural, racial and gender barriers to become the soundtrack for generations and a voice fighting for humanitarian causes. Featuring interviews with Burt Bachrach, Gladys Knight, Gloria Estefan, Snoop Dogg, Bill Clinton and many more.

The event will have movies and special presentations every day. The SBIFF has a full schedule in place, with the Montecito Award honoree to be announced next week.

THE TRIBUTES

SBIFF is an important showcase for Academy Award frontrunners, many of whom have arrived as nominees and gone on to win the Oscar. The 37th SBIFF proudly celebrates some of the year’s finest work in film. All tributes will be in person at the historic Arlington Theatre as well as streamed live.

• Outstanding Directors of the Year Award sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter - Thursday, March 3 at 8:00pm. Honorees to be announced. Moderated by Scott Feinberg.
• American Riviera Award honoring Kristen Stewart - Friday, March 4 at 8:00pm. Moderated by Anne Thompson.
• Virtuosos Award presented by UGG^®, honoring Caitriona Balfe (Belfast), Ariana DeBose (West Side Story), Jamie Dornan (Belfast), Alana Haim (Licorice Pizza), Emilia Jones (CODA), Troy Kotsur (CODA), Simon Rex (Red Rocket), and Saniyya Sidney (King Richard) - Saturday, March 5 at 8:00pm, moderated by Dave Karger.
• Variety Artisans Award sponsored by Variety - Monday, March 7 at 8:00pm. Honorees to be announced. Moderated by Jazz Tangcay.
• Montecito Award -Tuesday, March 8 at 8:00pm. Honoree to be announced.
• Outstanding Performers of the Year Award presented by Manitou Fund honoring Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis - Sunday, March 6 at 8:00pm. Moderated by Scott Feinberg.
• Cinema Vanguard Award sponsored by Deadline honoring Benedict Cumberbatch - Wednesday, March 9 at 8:00pm. Moderated by Pete Hammond.
• Maltin Modern Master Award presented by Manitou Fund honoring Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman - Thursday, March 10 at 8:00pm. Moderated by Leonard Maltin.

THE PANELS

SBIFF has become renowned for creating smart, insightful panels that feature a who’s who in the world of filmmaking, including many Oscar contenders. Returning will be our annual Producers Panel, Writers Panel, and Women’s Panel. All Panels will be in person at the historic Arlington Theatre as well as streamed live. Panelists to be announced.

Writers Panel - Saturday, March 5 at 11:00am - Moderated by Anne Thompson

Producers Panel - Saturday, March 5 at 2:00pm - Moderated by Glenn Whipp

Women’s Panel - Sunday, March 12 at 11:00am - Moderated by Madelyn Hammond

SPECIAL SCREENINGS AND Q&As

• THE POWER OF THE DOG followed by a Q&A with Jane Campion - Thursday, March 3 at 2:00pm - FREE admission
• 10th Anniversary screening of SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK followed by a Q&A with DAVID O. RUSSELL - Date and Time to be announced - FREE ADMISSION
• More to be announced

GREG NAVA RETROSPECTIVE

We will show Greg Nava’s seminal immigration saga, EL NORTE, and SELENA, the riveting bio-pic about the famous Tejano music legend who met a tragic end at only 23, starring Jennifer Lopez and Edward James Olmos. Olmos will be in attendance at the screening.

• SELENA - Tuesday, March 8 at 2:00pm - FREE admission
• EL NORTE - Wednesday, March 9 at 2:00pm - FREE admission

Nava will be present for a Q&A following each of the screenings. Edward James Olmos will also be joining for the SELENA Q&A.

Free Screenings made possible with support from John C. Mithun Foundation

Tributes and panel events will be streaming for a fee, but movie Q and A talks after the films will not available on line.

Mayor Randy Rowse said the city will be adding more lighting and amenities to help with the festival street decor. Thousands of people are expected to take part.

Related story and streaming coverage here : SBIFF poster revealed

For more information go to: SBIFF.org

More details will be added here later today.