January 18, 2018
The following is a press release from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival:
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), presented by UGG®, announced today the highly anticipated lineup for the 33rd edition, which will run Jan. 31 to Feb. 10, 2018. The festival will offer a vast array of films representing 58 countries, 45 world premieres, and 53 U.S. premieres, along with tributes with the year’s top talent, panel discussions, and free community education and outreach programs.
OPENING NIGHT
SBIFF 2018 will kick off the festival on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the historic Arlington Theatre with the world premiere of the public, written and directed by Emilio Estevez, starring Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Jena Malone, Christian Slater, Taylor Schilling, Che “Rhymefest” Smith, Gabrielle Union, Jacob Vargas, Michael K. Williams, and Jeffrey Wright. The Opening Night Film is presented by Belvedere Vodka.
What begins as a nonviolent Occupy sit-in and ragtag act of civil disobedience quickly escalates into a standoff with local riot police, a no-nonsense crisis negotiator, and a savvy DA with lofty political ambitions.
Amidst dropping temperatures and flaring tempers on both sides of the lockdown, uncertainty looms around how the situation can be resolved without resorting to violence, while law enforcement officials and local media spin the facts to serve their own political agendas.
This David vs. Goliath story puts the spotlight on some of our nation’s most challenging issues: homelessness, mental illness, and drug addiction, and sets the drama inside one of our last bastions of democracy-in-action: your public library.
Following the film, the Opening Night Gala, sponsored by Amazon Studios, will take place in the beautiful outdoor Paseo Nuevo Shops and Restaurants in downtown Santa Barbara. It will feature entertainment, food, libations, and a chance to celebrate the start of the 33rd SBIFF.
CLOSING NIGHT
The Festival will close Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Arlington Theatre with a to-be-announced film. The Closing Night Film is sponsored by Winchester Mystery House.
Following the film, the 33rd SBIFF will end with a final celebration at the Closing Night Party sponsored by Amazon Studios.
THE TRIBUTES
SBIFF has become an important showcase for Academy Award frontrunners, many of whom have arrived as nominees and gone on to win the Oscar. The 33rd SBIFF proudly celebrates some of the year’s finest work in film.
● Willem Dafoe will receive the Cinema Vanguard Award sponsored by Bella Vista Designs on Thursday, Feb. 1.
● Gary Oldman will receive the Maltin Modern Master Award, moderated by longtime friend, film historian, and award namesake Leonard Maltin on Friday, Feb. 2.
● The Virtuosos Award, presented by UGG®, will be awarded to Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Hong Chau (Downsizing), John Boyega (Detroit), Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick), Mary J. Blige (Mudbound), and Timothée Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name) on Saturday Feb. 3, moderated by Dave Karger.
● Saoirse Ronan will receive the Santa Barbara Award, presented by UGG®, on Sunday, Feb. 4.
● The Variety Artisans Awards, sponsored by Variety, will take place on Monday, Feb. 5, and will be moderated by Tim Gray. Honorees to be announced.
● The Outstanding Directors of the Year Award, sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter, will be Tuesday, Feb. 6. Honorees to be announced.
● Sam Rockwell will receive the American Riviera Award, sponsored by Bright Event Rentals, on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
All tributes take place at the historic Arlington Theatre with the exception of the Variety Artisans Award which will be at the Lobero Theatre, presented by Toyota Mirai.
THE PANELS
SBIFF has become renowned for creating smart, insightful panels that feature a who’s who in the world of filmmaking, including many Oscar contenders.
● Producers Panel will be on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m., moderated by Glenn Whipp.
● Writers Panel will be on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m., moderated by Anne Thompson.
● Women’s Panel will be on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 11 a.m., moderated by Madelyn Hammond.
All panels take place at the Lobero Theatre, presented by Toyota Mirai. Panelists to be announced.
THE JURY
Films in several of the Festival’s film categories are in competition. These categories are viewed by a hand-selected group of industry professionals including: Jan Bijvoet, Geoffrey Cowper, Martin Gooch, Simon Helberg, Jesus Lloveras, Alan Marshall, Carol Marshall, Marc Meyers, José Novoa, Artie Schmidt, Leslie Zemeckis, Anthony Zerbe, and Arnette Zerbe. On the last day of the Festival, the award-winning films will be announced at the annual SBIFF awards breakfast.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND FREE SCREENINGS
Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies – Named for renowned nature cinematographer Mike deGruy, Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies uses filmmaking to stimulate creative, confident, and culturally aware thinkers. The program is offered to 4,000 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from throughout Santa Barbara County, and SBIFF provides free transportation to students from Title I schools. This year SBIFF is thrilled to present the critically acclaimed hit Coco, featuring co-director Adrian Molina, who will participate in a Q&A following the screenings with the students to discuss the craft of animated filmmaking. Sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust, Patagonia, Santa Barbara Foundation, Union Bank, and Volentine Family Foundation.
Student Film Studies Program – Returning for its fourth year thanks to the generosity of Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin, the national student film studies program will bring 30 undergraduate film students from across the country for a three-day symposium with a focus on film appreciation, criticism, and analysis. Sixty college students in Santa Barbara have the opportunity to take an 11-Day Film Festival course through Santa Barbara City College and Antioch University.
AppleBox Family Films – SBIFF will again screen animated feature frontrunners free to families on the weekends of the Festival with complimentary popcorn and refreshments. This year’s screenings will include Despicable Me 3 (10 a.m. on Feb. 3), Coco (10 a.m. on Feb. 4), and Boss Baby (10 a.m. on Feb. 10). Sponsored by Metropolitan Theatres.
10–10–10 Student Screenwriting and Filmmaking Mentorship and Competition – In October, 20 high school and college screenwriters and filmmakers were accepted after a competitive application process before beginning a series of workshops, a table read, and a casting day. Since then, the ten writer/director teams and their crews have worked with industry mentors to produce short films that will be screened on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre, with an announcement of the winning scripts and films following the screening. Sponsored by Final Draft Inc. and generously supported by the Riordan Foundation.
Free Public Screenings – SBIFF will again offer critically acclaimed film screenings free to the public at the Lobero Theatre presented by Toyota Mirai everyday throughout the Festival.
Filmmaker Seminars – SBIFF will again present educational seminars that will be free to the public and will take place in the Visit the Santa Ynez Valley Lounge throughout the Festival at 11 a.m.
Super Silent Sunday – On Sunday, Feb. 4, SBIFF will present Charlie Chaplin’s 1931 silent film City Lights at the Arlington Theatre completely free to the public. Live accompaniment will be provided by Adam Aceto on the theatre’s Wonder Morton pipe organ. Super Silent Sunday is sponsored by Winchester Mystery House.
Youth CineMedia – SBIFF presents a documentary film series produced entirely by teens involved in the Youth CineMedia program. Striving to help children transition away from gang life, drugs, and alcohol and into college and careers in music, photography, and video production, the organization offers creative tools, training, and support for underprivileged and at–risk teens. Free to the public with Q&A following on Saturday, Feb. 10.
FOCUS ON SANTA BARBARA
Support Santa Barbara – The community of Santa Barbara extends its heartfelt thanks to the firefighters and first responders whose extraordinary efforts helped protect the Santa Barbara South Coast during the recent Thomas Fire and Flood. We encourage visitors to show their support for area businesses by staying overnight, dining out, shopping and exploring the region’s myriad attractions during the festival.
Santa Barbara Filmmakers – The Santa Barbara filmmaking community continues to captivate and inspire audiences with this year’s impressive lineup. Santa Barbara filmmakers provide a diverse, thought–provoking series of features and shorts.
The “Stand Up” Award sponsored by ADL – The Santa Barbara Tri–Counties Region of the Anti–Defamation League will be sponsoring and presenting the “ADL Stand Up Award” to a dramatic film in the festival that represents an important addition to the efforts of the ADL “to secure justice and fair treatment for all.”
The Social Justice Award sponsored by Pacific Standard — Pacific Standard will be sponsoring and presenting The Social Justice Award to a special film that aligns with their mission to inform audiences on current social, economic, environmental, and political justice issues.
The Tribute Awards were once again specially designed by Santa Barbara’s own Daniel Gibbings Jewelry. The award is inspired by the iconic steeple of Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre, is handcrafted in metal, and is 24 karat gold–plated, with a custom marble base.
33rd Festival Poster Unveiled – Barbara Boros has designed the SBIFF poster each year for 15 years, this year highlighting the historic Arlington Theatre.
Official Festival Hub – The official festival hub will again be located at Hotel Santa Barbara, returning for their 15th year as supporters of SBIFF.
2018 FILMS
SBIFF features exciting, culturally enlightening, and entertaining programming and sidebars. 200+ films from around the world will be brought together to form an incredibly unique and diverse festival experience.
Below is the list of features and short films at the 2018 SBIFF. For the complete list of films, synopses, and other special events please visit www.sbiff.org.
23 WORLD PREMIERE FEATURE FILMS (listed alphabetically)
A Sniper’s War, USA, Ukraine, Russia
Directed by Olya Schechter
Acid Horizon, USA
Directed by Ivan Hurzeler
Broke: The Santa Barbara Oil Pipeline Spill of 2015, USA
Directed by Gail Osherenko
Chasing the Thunder, USA
Directed by Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin
The Doctor From India, USA
Directed by Jeremy Frindel
The End of Meat (Eine welt ohne fleisch), Germany
Directed by Marc Pierschel
The Independents, USA
Directed by Greg Naughton
Living in the Futures Past, USA
Directed by Susan Kucera
Making Babies, USA
Directed by Josh Huber
Metamorphosis, Canada
Directed by Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper
My Indiana Muse, USA
Directed by Ric and Jen Serena
¡Oh Mamy Blue!, Spain
Directed by Antonio Hens
Off the Menu, USA
Directed by Jay Silverman
One Last Night, USA
Directed by Anthony Sabet
the public, USA
Directed by Emilio Estevez
The Push, USA
Directed by Grant Korgan
Scotch: A Golden Dream, USA
Directed by Andrew Peat
Silicon Beach, USA
Directed by Max Gold
Threesome (Le trip à trois), Canada
Directed by Nicolas Monette
Waiting for the Drop: Rise of the Superstar DJs, USA
Directed by Alexei Barrionuevo
The War in Between, USA
Directed by Riccardo Ferraris
We Are Galapagos, USA
Directed by Kum-Kum Bhavnani
The White Orchid, USA
Directed by Steve Anderson
46 U.S. PREMIERE FEATURE FILMS (listed alphabetically)
3 Things (3 ting), Denmark
Directed by Jens Dahl
A Land Without Borders, Israel
Directed by Michael Alalu and Nir Baram
Adventures in Public School, Canada
Directed by Kyle Rideout
Before I Forget (Antes que eu me esqueça), Brazil
Directed by Tiago Arakilian
Beyond – An African Surf Documentary, Austria
Directed by Mario Hainzl
Beyond Dreams (Dröm vidare), Sweden
Directed by Rojda Serkersöz
Big Wata, Netherlands
Directed by Jan Paul Van der Velden
Bingo: The King of the Mornings (Bingo: O rei das manhãs), Brazil
Directed by Daniel Rezende
Black Kite, Canada, Afghanistan
Directed by Tarique Qayumi
The Butterfly Tree, Australia
Directed by Priscilla Cameron
Cardinals, Canada
Directed by Grayson Moore & Aidan Shipley
Catch the Wind (Prendre le large), France
Directed by Gaël Morel
Darling, Denmark
Directed by Birgitte Stærmose
Daybreak (Dita zë fill), Albania
Directed by Gentian Koçi
The Double Lover (L’amant double), France
Directed by François Ozon
Edie, UK
Directed by Simon Hunter
The Eternal Road (Ikitie), Finland
Directed by Antti-Jussi Annila
Euthanizer (Armomurhaaja), Finland
Directed by Teemu Nikki
The Faithful Son (La part sauvage), Belgium
Directed by Guérin van de Vorst
Fence Your Best, Israel
Directed by Liat Mer
Fifty Springtimes (Aurore), France
Directed by Blandine Lenoir
Filthy (Spina), Czech Republic, Slovakia
Directed by Tereza Nvotová
Get the Weed (Misión no oficial), Uruguay
Directed by Denny Brechner, Alfonso Guerrero and Marcos Hecht
Giant (Handia), Spain
Directed by Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi
Grace and Splendor (Donaire y esplendor), Panama
Directed by Arturo Montenegro
Grand Cru, Canada
Directed by David Eng
Guerrero, Mexico
Directed by Ludovic Bonleux
Imposed Piece (Opgelegd Werk), Belgium
Directed by Brecht Vanhoenacker
In Love and In Hate (Los que aman, odian), Argentina
Directed by Alejandro Maci
The Island, Israel
Directed by Adam Weingrod
The Last Suit (El último traje), Argentina
Directed by Pablo Solarz
Maracaibo, Argentina
Directed by Miguel Angel Rocca
Mary Goes Round, Canada
Directed by Molly McGlynn
Meditation Park, Canada
Directed by Mina Shum
Modified, Canada
Directed by Aube Giroux
The Order of Things (L’ordine delle cose), Italy
Directed by Andrea Segre
Sad Hill Unearthed, Spain
Directed by Guillermo de Oliveira
Secret Ingredient (Iscelitel), Greece
Directed by Gjorce Stavreski
Soviet Hippies, Estonia, Germany, Finland
Directed by Terje Toomistu
Sunshine That Can Move Mountains, China
Directed by Qiang Wang
Star Boys (Kaiken se kestää), Sweden
Directed by Visa Koiso-Kanttila
The Swan (Svanurinn), Iceland, Estonia, Germany
Directed by Ása Hjörleifsdóttir
The Unseen (Los últimos), Argentina
Directed by Nicolás Puenzo
Unwanted (T’padashtun), Kosovo, Netherlands
Directed by Edon Rizvanolli
Wall, Canada
Directed by Cam Christiansen
While We Live (Mens vi lever), Denmark
Directed by Mehdi Avaz
NON-PREMIERE FEATURE FILMS (listed alphabetically)
All You Can Eat Buddha, Canada, Cuba
Directed by Ian Lagarde
Angels Wear White (Jia nian hua), China, France
Directed by Vivian Qu
Arrhythmia (Aritmiya), Russia, Finland, Germany
Directed by Boris Khlebnikov
Back to Burgundy (Ce qui nous lie), France
Directed by Cédric Klapisch
Beartrek, USA, Canada, Indonesia, Peru
Directed by Chris Morgan & Joe Pontecorvo
Blue, Australia
Directed by Karina Holden
Borg vs. McEnroe, Sweden, Denmark, Finland
Directed by Janus Metz
Breath (Nafas), Iran
Directed by Narges Abyar
Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey, USA, Canada, China
Directed by Dave O’Leske
Elish’s Notebooks, Israel
Directed by Golan Rise
The Essential Link – The Story of Wilfred Israel, Israel
Directed by Yonatan Nir
Faces Places (Visages, villages), France
Directed by JR and Agnès Varda
The Future Ahead (El futuro que viene), Argentina
Directed by Constanza Novick
The Gospel According to André, USA
Directed by Kate Novack
Gutland, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium
Directed by Govinda Van Maele
Holy Camp! (La Llamada), Spain
Directed by Javier Ambrossi & Javier Calvo
Hotel Salvation (Mukti Bhawan), India
Directed by Shubhashish Bhutiani
Icarus, USA
Directed by Bryan Fogel
In Syria (Insyriated), Belgium, France, Lebanon
Directed by Philippe Van Leeuw
The Insult (L’insulte), Lebanon
Directed by Ziad Doueiri
Just Like Our Parents, Brazil
Directed by Laís Bodanzky
Killer Bees, USA
Directed by Ben & Orson Cummings
Kim Swims, USA
Directed by Kate Webber
Leaning Into the Wind: Andy Goldsworthy, USA
Directed by Thomas Riedelsheimer
The Line (Čiara), Slovakia, Ukraine
Directed by Peter Bebjak
Love Means Zero, USA
Directed by Jason Kohn
Miracle on 42nd Street, USA
Directed by Alice Elliott
Montana, Israel
Directed by Limor Shmila
Nelson Algren Live, USA
Directed by Oscar Bucher
Oh Lucy!, USA, Japan
Directed by Atsuko Hirayanagi
The Party, USA
Directed by Sally Potter
Point of No Return, USA
Directed by Quinn Kanaly & Noel Dockstader
The Quartette (Kvarteto), Czech Republic
Directed by Miroslav Krobot
Racer and the Jailbird (Le fidèle), Belgium
Directed by Michaël R. Roskam
Scaffolding (Pigumim), Israel, Poland
Directed by Matan Yair
Scary Mother, Georgia, Estonia
Directed by Ana Urushadze
Skid Row Marathon, USA
Directed by Mark Hayes
Sky and Ground, USA, Serbia/Montenegro, Macedonia, Hungary, Greece, Germany, Austria
Directed by Joshua Bennett & Talya Tibbon
Something New (Qualcosa di nuovo), Italy
Directed by Cristina Comencini
Soufra, Singapore, USA, Lebanon
Directed by Thomas A. Morgan
The Starry Sky Above Me, (Le ciel étoilé au-dessus de ma tête), France
Directed by Ilan Klipper
Streetlight Harmonies, USA
Directed by Brent Wilson
The Third Murder, (Sandome no Satsujin), Japan
Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda
Tulipani: Love, Honour and a Bicycle (Tulipani: Liefde, Eer en een Fiets), Netherlands
Directed by Mike van Diem
Triumph: The Untold Story of Perry Wallace, USA
Directed by Rich Gentile
Under the Tree (Undir Trénu), Iceland, Denmark, Poland & Germany
Directed by Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson
Wife and Husband (Moglie e marito), Italy
Directed by Simone Godano
You Disappear (Du forsvinder), Denmark, Sweden
Directed by Peter Schønau Fog
SHORTS FILMS (listed alphabetically)
22 WORLD PREMIERES / 7 U.S. PREMIERES
72%, Spain – US Premiere
Directed by Lluis Quilez
Abroad, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Zayn Alexandar
Aeris, USA
Directed by Paul Castro Jr.
Afterwork, Spain, Peru, Ecuador – World Premiere
Directed by Luis Uson
The Artist & The Great Bear, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Jeff Mcloughlin
As Long As It Takes (Le temps qu’il faut), Canada
Directed by Abeille Tard
Audition, USA
Directed by Richard Van
Bargain, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Clifford Miu
Basha Man, China
Directed by Daniel Chein
Bigfoot’s Love Slave, USA
Directed by Heather Tom
The Cannonball Woman, (La femme canon), France, Switzerland, Canada – US Premiere
Directed by David Toutevoix and Albertine Zullo
Cascarón, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Casey McGarry
Catacomb, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Alex Z. Avila
Couch for Sale, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Takashi Doscher
Cowboy of Mount Laurier (Le cowboy du mont Laurier), Canada – US Premiere
Directed by Gabriel Vilandré
Crossing the Channel, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Ryan Slattery
Cuba: Music Revolution, USA
Directed by Juan Ponce de León
Dancing with Dragons, USA, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Mexico, Belize
Directed by Mark Romanov
Don’t Mind Alice, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Maude Apatow & Olivia Rosenbloom
The Driver Is Red, USA
Directed by Randall Christopher
Field Song (Canción de Campo), USA
Directed by Brad Bischoff
Fern, UK – US Premiere
Directed by Johnny Kelly
Ferryman at the Wall, USA
Directed by David Freid
Fingerprints, USA
Directed by Don Hardy
From Golf Course to Wetland, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Michael Love
Hide and Seek (Bújócska), Hungary
Directed by Gábor Benő Baranyi
Home Shopper, USA
Directed by Dev Patel
Hybrids, France
Directed by Florian Brauch, Kim Tailhades, Matthieu Pujol, Romain Thirion and Yohan Thireau
Keep Calm and Tampon, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Claudia Lonow
Killing Games: Wildlife in the Crosshairs, USA
Directed by Camilla H. Fox
The Last Man You Meet, USA
Directed by Chris Bone
Long Term Delivery, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Jake Honig
Los Comandos, USA
Directed by Joshua Bennett
Lunch Ladies, USA
Directed by J.M. Logan
Mariela, UK
Directed by Victoria Romero
Martien, Switzerland
Directed by Maxime Pillonel
Me, My Phone and I, USA
Directed by Luke Mullen
Mott Haven, USA
Directed by Kyle Morrison
Negative Space, France
Directed by Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata
Online Shopping, Iran
Directed by Ghasideh Golmakani
Out of the Ashes, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Hallie Brown
Poles Apart, USA
Directed by Paloma Baeza
Phototaxis, USA
Directed by Melissa Ferrari
The Red Flag, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Mike Winger
RFLKTR, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Matt K. Turner
Santa Claus, USA
Directed by Jeff Man
Sequin, Taiwan – US Premiere
Directed by Yachi Yang
Siren Song: Women Singers of Pakistan, USA, Pakistan, and India
Directed by Fawzia Afzal-Khan
Shadow Boxer (Skyggebokser), Denmark – World Premiere
Directed by Andreas Bøggild Monies
Shark Bight, USA – US Premiere
Directed by Stephanie Foster
The Shift, USA
Directed by Elivia Shaw
Simularity, USA
Directed by Ryan O’Nan
Soul of the City, USA – World Premiere
Directed by John Klein
Souls of Totality, USA
Directed by Richard Raymond
Space Butthole, USA
Directed by David Chai
The Take Off, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Ryan Kalil
The Tesla World Light, (Tesla: Lumière Mondiale), Canada
Directed by Matthew Rankin
Tigerstyle, United Kingdom, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Elliott Powell, Jordyn Romero, Paloma Young, Rachel Lattin, and Riani Singgih
The Tipping Point, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Danielle Cohen
Toward the North (Hacia el norte), USA
Directed by Elivia Shaw, Jessica Chermayeff, and Joshua Bennett
Towards the Sun (Hacia el sol), United Kingdom
Directed by Monica Santis
Two Balloons, USA – US Premiere
Directed by Mark C. Smith
Under Her Wing, USA
Directed by Keenan McGuckin
Undiscovered, USA
Directed by Sara Litzenberger
Virtually Yours, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Andrea Lithner
Wildlife and the Wall, USA
Directed by Ben Masters
You Are Here, United Kingdom
Directed by Nicholas Jones
Yours Sincerely, Lois Weber, USA
Directed by Svetlana Cvetko
ABOUT THE SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and educational organization dedicated to discovering and showcasing the best in independent and international cinema. Over the past 32 years, SBIFF has become one of the leading film festivals in the United States – attracting 100,000 attendees and offering 11 days of 200+ films, tributes and symposiums, fulfilling their mission to engage, enrich, and inspire the Santa Barbara community through film.
Sponsors of the 33rd SBIFF include: UGG®, Belvedere Vodka, Toyota Mirai, City of Santa Barbara, Amazon Studios, Dom Pérignon, ADL, Montecito Bank & Trust, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, IMDB, Santa Barbara Foundation, Union Bank, Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation, Patagonia, Winchester Mystery House, Pacific Standard, Riordan Foundation, Lynda Weinman & Bruce Heavin, Volentine Family Foundation, and many more supporting through trade.
SBIFF continues its commitment to education and the community through free programs like its 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies, National Film Studies Program, AppleBox Family Films, 3rd Weekend and educational seminars. In June of 2016, SBIFF entered a new era with the acquisition of the historic and beloved Riviera Theatre. The theatre is SBIFF’s new home and is the catalyst for program expansion and marks the first time that Santa Barbara has had a 24/7 community center to expand their mission of educational outreach.