Thousands of seats available as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival opens, even with many sell-out events
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - There's been a rush to get tickets for some of the special events at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, like never before.
Executive Director Roger Durling said it was unprecedented to have the first five nights sold out for the special tributes and honors, along with closing night.
"In my 23 years in the festival we have never had the first five days events at the festival sold out," he said. Durling also said the recent rain was not an issue. He noted when it rains, movie lovers come inside to see a film.
The sellouts include :
- Opening Night World Premiere - Disney's MADU
- Outstanding Performer of the Year Award - Bradley Cooper
- Maltin Modern Master Award - Robert Downey Jr.
- Virtuoso Awards - Danielle Brooks (THE COLOR PURPLE),Colman Domingo (RUSTIN & THE COLOR PURPLE), America Ferrera (BARBIE), Lily Gladstone (THE KILLERS OF FLOWER MOON), Greta Lee (PAST LIVES), Charles Melton (MAY DECEMBER), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (THE HOLDOVERS), Andrew Scott (ALL OF US STRANGERS)
- American Riviera Award - Mark Ruffalo
About 200 films and events are jammed into the festival from Feb. 7-17.
"In my 23 years in the festival we have never had the first five days events at the festival sold out. In the past we have had a couple of events leading up to the festival sold out but starting opening night, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are completely sold out the events at the Arlington," said Durling.
That includes :
- Opening Night World Premiere - Disney's MADU
- Outstanding Performer of the Year Award - Bradley Cooper
- Maltin Modern Master Award - Robert Downey Jr.
- Virtuoso Awards - Danielle Brooks (THE COLOR PURPLE),Colman Domingo (RUSTIN & THE COLOR PURPLE), America Ferrera (BARBIE), Lily Gladstone (THE KILLERS OF FLOWER MOON), Greta Lee (PAST LIVES), Charles Melton (MAY DECEMBER), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (THE HOLDOVERS), Andrew Scott (ALL OF US STRANGERS)
- American Riviera Award - Mark Ruffalo
Durling also said the closing night film, the world premiere of 'Chosen Family' is also sold out.
The showings will be at multiple theatres in downtown Santa Barbara, with the showcase location being the Arlington Theatre, an iconic building built in 1931.
The festival will also feature a free movie every day at 2 p.m. in the Arlington.
A student film event called 10-10-10 will also be free.
An annual event where students can see a movie and hear from the director, "Mike's Field Trip to the Movies" will bring students in from throughout the county, many from economically challenged areas. It is a commitment by the festival to give these students an insight into films and movie making that they might never get.
For a full lineup of the tributes and movies go to: SBIFF.
