Widely acclaimed by critics as well as fans, Sinners star Michael B. Jordan will add another feather to his cap as the recipient of the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 41st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
The 38-year-old star, who’s been acting professionally for more than 25 years, will be honored on February 12, 2026, for his acclaimed dual performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack in Sinners, his fifth collaboration with director Ryan Coogler. The film takes place in the 1930s Jim Crow–era South, and he plays two characters who return to their hometown to find themselves facing a dark, evil, possibly supernatural presence. Lauded by critics, the film marked the biggest debut for an original film since 2019, grossing more than $366 million worldwide.
“I have been a stalwart Michael B. Jordan fan since his days on The Wire, and now he’s a bonafide box office star giving one of the year’s most intricate performances — make that two — in Sinners,” stated SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling. “He does incredibly nuanced work creating two specific characters — the brothers Smoke and Stack — and when they interact with each other, it’s pure alchemy. We’re pleased to honor him with our Outstanding Performer of the Year Award.”