Friday, July 3, 2026 Sign In
SBIFF

One Last Look at the 2026 Santa Barbara International Film Festival

A photo recap of the 41st edition of SBIFF.

One Last Look at the 2026 Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Lead donor Nora McNeely Hurley cuts the ribbon at SBIFF’s new McHurley Film Center. | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom

The 41st edition of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) celebrated not only 11 days of films from around the world — including 46 world film premieres and 80 U.S. premieres from 50 countries, with 50 percent of the films directed by women — but also the opening of the beautiful new SBIFF McHurley Film Center at 916 State Street. There was also no shortage of starry tributes, excellent panels, educational programs, and fabulous people watching. Senior Arts Writer Josef Woodard clocked a personal record of 60 (!) films this year. Read his daily recaps at bit.ly/4aEVSPp . And check out all of our coverage, including those celebrity red carpet events, at bit.ly/4axtf6z .



‘Santa Barbara Independent’ reporter Ryan P. Cruz (left) interviews pioneering journalist Amy Goodman and ‘Steal This Story, Please!’ director Tia Lessin at The Fund for Santa Barbara SBIFF award celebration. The film won The Fund for Santa Barbara’s Social Justice Film Series at SBIFF, as well as the Audience Choice Award sponsored by the ‘Santa Barbara Independent.’ | Photo: Robert Weber

Leonard Maltin (left) and Adam Sandler at the Maltin Modern Master Awards at SBIFF | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom

PortableText [components.type] is missing "image"
PortableText [components.type] is missing "image"

PortableText [components.type] is missing "image"
PortableText [components.type] is missing "image"

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (left), Wagner Moura, Wunmi Mosaku, Chase Infiniti, Jane Lynch, Amy Madigan, Jacob Elordi, and Teyana Taylor pose with the Virtuosos Award. | Photo: Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival

‘One Battle After Another’ stars Leonardo DiCaprio (left), Sean Penn, and Benicio del Toro were honored with Cinema Vanguard Award. | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom

Chloé Zhao (‘Hamnet’) on the red carpet before receiving the Outstanding Directors of the Year Award from Santa Barbara International Film Festival | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom

PortableText [components.type] is missing "image"
PortableText [components.type] is missing "image"

[Click to zoom] Kate Hudson on the red carpet at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Arlington Artist of the Year Awards | Kate Hudson (left) and Gwyneth Paltrow outside the Arlington Theatre | Photos: Ingrid Bostrom


SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling and Zamo Mkhwanazi, who is the director, writer and producer of the closing-night film, ‘Laundry’ | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom

From left: Grace Redford, High School Screenwriting winner; Sadie Bush, High School Filmmaking winner; Harvey Gillman, College Screenwriting winner; Ashley Rose Clark, Student Composer winner; Elijah Geduldig, College Filmmaking winner; Marine Vovard, Dylan Pinter, and Claire Waterhouse attend the 10-10-10 Screening & Awards during the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival. | Photo: Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Guillermo del Toro (left) and SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling attend the Writers’ Panel. | Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival