SBIFF Hosts The McHurley Film Center Ribbon-Cutting Celebration in Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) It's a big week for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) and philanthropists Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley.
Their combined names and donation made The McHurley Film Center possible.
Thanks to generous donors and an ongoing donation campaign the former Fiesta Five has been transformed into a film hub just in time for the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival that begins on Wednesday.
Angela White watched the transformation along the 900 block of State Street.
"As I just walked by and I can smell the fresh and super excited that is it almost done," said White.
Like film crews, construction crews worked nonstop to the SBIFF McHurley Film Center ready to its close up.
Movie lovers, including retired special effects expert and former Academy Award nominee Leslie Ekker who couldn't wait see it.
Leslie Ekker and his wife are donors.
"It is really important this signifies a pivot for Santa Barbara and State Street the culture here is going to become an anchor to a degree, at any time of day or evening you can come here and go the movies and something really excellent will be on the screen in five theaters with the best technology of the planet," Ekker.
He also wants visitors to know the birth of the film industry began near Mission and Carillo Streets in Santa Barbara.
Ekker believes the film center will attract visitors from all over year-round by curating film screenings and events.
Before saying "action," SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling decided to move the crowd inside for the ribbon-cutting ceremony below the steps.
Nora Mcneely Hurley and Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse did the honors with giant scissors.
Michael Hurley said being part of the former Fiesta Five transformation and the festival has brought them joy.
"Nora and I have been involved with the film festival for quite awhile and we just love to support it, love going to the films and meeting people during the festival. It's has been a joy for us," said Michael Hurley.
Their contribution also makes the film center more accessible to people of all abilities and even those hard of hearing.
Nora said that will help her hear films, too.
"One thing we especially admire about he SBIFF is its mindfulness around accessibility making sure it can truly be enjoyed by everybody," said Nora McNeely Hurley.
On the film center's opening night people enjoyed complimentary, champagne and popcorn.
There are still plenty of naming opportunities to cover the multi-million dollar cost, from names on the wall to names on each red seat.
There are about 900 seats in the film center.
Those seats will start filling up after the opening night celebration up the street at the Arlington Theatre where the celebrity tributes will follow during SBIFF Feb. 4-14.
For more information visit, https://sbifftheatres.com and https://sbiff.org
