Santa Barbara International Film Festival sets 2027 dates

Event Announcement

The 42nd Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival is scheduled for February 3–13, 2027. This 11-day event serves as a major stop on the awards season circuit, featuring film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes.

Important Dates for 2027

• August 2026: Festival passes go on sale at sbiff.org.
• January 2027: Full film lineup announcement.
• February 3-13, 2027: 42nd Annual Festival dates.

41st Edition Retrospective (2026)

• Attendance: Welcomed over 80,000 attendees.
• Film Stats: Showcased 200+ films from 50 countries, including 46 world premieres and 80 U.S. premieres.
• Awards Impact: Hosted 17 eventual Oscar winners and over 50 Academy Award-nominated films.
• Diversity: Approximately 50% of the films were directed by women.
• Submissions: Received more than 4,000 entries supported by 600+ volunteers.

Notable Honorees and Guests

Recent tribute recipients included:

• Michael B. Jordan: Outstanding Performer of the Year
• Adam Sandler: Maltin Modern Master Award
• Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro: Cinema Vanguard Award
• Ethan Hawke: American Riviera Award
• Stellan Skarsgård: Montecito Award
• Virtuosos Awardees: Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Wagner Moura, and others.