39th Santa Barbara International Film Festival

39th Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Official poster
Opening filmMadu by Matthew Ogens and Joel Kachi Benson
Closing filmChosen Family by Heather Graham
LocationSanta Barbara, California, United States
Founded1986
Awards
Hosted bySanta Barbara International Film Festival (organization)
No. of films183
Festival dateOpening: 7 February 2024 (2024-02-07)
Closing: 17 February 2024 (2024-02-17)
WebsiteSBIFF
Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The 39th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, is the 2024 edition of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which took place from February 7 to February 17, 2024, at Santa Barbara, California, United States.[1]

In November and December honorary awards were announced which are: Outstanding Performer of the Year Award for Bradley Cooper; Kirk Douglas Award For Excellence In Film for Ryan Gosling and Virtuosos Award for Lily Gladstone, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Greta Lee, Charles Melton, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, America Ferrera, and Andrew Scott.[2]

The festival opened with the documentary Madu by Matthew Ogens and Joel Kachi Benson, story of a 12-year-old Nigerian boy Anthony Madu who moves to England to study ballet at a prestigious dance school.[3] This year the festival inaugurated a new award 'Arlington Award', named for the historic venue where all the fest’s annual tributes timed to Oscar season take place. The award honors "an artist who is greatly admired and who has demonstrated an incomparable commitment to film and its craft". Annette Bening is the first recipient of the award.[4]

The festival closed on February 17, with Chosen Family by Heather Graham, story of a yoga teacher Ann who is trying to find inner peace despite having problems in life. In total the festival showcased 45 world premieres and 77 US premieres altogether from 48 countries, with approximately 100 thousand attendees during the week slatted with screenings of over 200+ films. The winners were announced at a ceremony in Santa Barbara.[5]

  1. ^ Pedersen, Erik (26 April 2023). "Santa Barbara Film Festival 2024 Dates Set". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  2. ^ Hipes, Patrick (18 December 2023). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Honorees: Jeffrey Wright To Receive 2024 Montecito Award". Deadline. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  3. ^ Thompson, Jaden (16 January 2024). "'Madu' to Open Santa Barbara International Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference aa:dl was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference aw:variety was invoked but never defined (see the help page).