TINSLE TOWN TIDBITS . . . WILL FERRELL PRESENTED SBIFF 17TH ANNUAL KIRK DOUGLAS AWARD Fun Night On The SBIFF Red Carpet at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara 
Will Ferrell walks the red carpet with Octavia Spencer and Kristen Wiig By Bonnie Carroll The Santa Barbara International Film Festival was honored to present actor, writer, producer, and comedy legend Will Ferrell with the 17th annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film last night at a Black-Tie dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. The prestigious award, which benefits Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s year-round educational programs, was presented to Ferrell who walked the red carpet with his wife, as well as Octavia Spencer, Kristen Wiig and Ernesto Paredes. Farrell made this a fun night for media lining the red carpet with his overflowing humor and sense of fun. This year’s presentation marked the third time since the passing of screen legend Kirk Douglas that the award was awarded. With a career spanning over three decades, Ferrell has become one of the most influential figures in comedy as well as a box office sensation. The multifaceted powerhouse began his journey on “Saturday Night Live” and quickly rose to stardom with iconic performances in films such as ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY, TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RON BURGUNDY, ELF, STEP BROTHERS, STRANGER THAN FICTION and most recently, the global hit BARBIE. Along with producing partner Jessica Elbaum, Ferrell is also the co-founder of Gloria Sanchez Productions. In 2020, the company announced a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix on the heels of the incredible overnight success of the Emmy-nominated series “Dead to Me.” The production shingle set a multi-year first-look deal with 20th Century Studios in 2021. Since its inception, the production company has also been credited with HUSTLERS, BOOKSMART, MAY DECEMBER, THEATER CAMP, SPIRITED, and BARB & STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR, all of which garnered critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. Since 2006, the annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film has been awarded to a lifelong contributor to cinema through their work in front of the camera, behind, or both. Past honorees are Ryan Gosling, Michelle Yeoh, Martin Scorsese, Hugh Jackman, Dame Judi Dench, Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Jessica Lange, Forest Whitaker, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Quentin Tarantino, Ed Harris, and John Travolta. Ferrell’s incredible talent can next be seen in the Gloria Sanchez Productions and Netflix’s upcoming documentary, one of this year’s crowd favorites at Sundance Film Festival, “Will & Harper.” In the film, Ferrell’s good friend of 30 years, Harper Steele, comes out as a trans woman. The pair embark on a road trip to process this new stage in their friendship and reintroduce Harper to the country she loves as her authentic self. This documentary is Ferrell’s seventh collaboration with Harper Steele, having previously worked together on “Saturday Night Live,” where Ferrell was a cast member for multiple years, as well as projects such as EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA, “The Royal Wedding Live with Cord and Tish!”, “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” Funny or Die, and Old Milwaukee Campaign. The 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place LIVE February 4 - February 15, 2025. Official events including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be held throughout the city, including at the historic Arlington Theatre. Passes for the 2025 Festival are on sale now at sbiff.org. Last year, the festival had a program of 200+ films from over 48 countries with honorary awards feted on Robert Downey Jr., Bradley Cooper, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Giamatti, Jeffrey Wright, America Ferrera, Lily Gladstone, Greta Lee, Charles Melton, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Andrew Scott, Martin Scorsese, Justine Triet, Billie Eilish, Ludwig Göransson, Jennifer Lame, and Rodrigo Prieto. A-list and industry guests will once again ascend to Santa Barbara, making it a must-stop location on the awards circuit, and delivering a record number of films with many World and U.S. premieres. The film lineup and schedule will be announced January 2025. 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 39 years, SBIFF has become one of the top 10 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. SBIFF continues its commitment to education and the community throughout many free educational programs and events. SBIFF’s programs support over 18,000 kids, students and families in our local community by introducing film as an art form to young children with programs like AppleBox and Mike’s FieldTrip to the Movies; teaching film analysis to highschool and college students with programs like Rosebud and the Film Studies Program; and teaching the craft of screenwriting and filmmaking with Film Camp and 10-10-10 Mentorship programs. Most importantly SBIFF’s programs are always directed towards the under-represented and under-served communities within Santa Barbara County. In 2016, SBIFF acquired the historic and beloved Riviera Theatre. After a capital campaign and renovation, the theatre is now SBIFF’s state-of-the-art, year-round home, showing new international and independent films every day. In 2019, SBIFF opened its own Education Center in downtown Santa Barbara on State Street to serve as a home for its many educational programs and a place for creativity and learning. For ticket information visit www.sbiff.org. ♦ ♦ ♦ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ .jpg)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMER OF THE YEAR AWARD
HONORING
RALPH FIENNES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025
8:00PM
ARLINGTON THEATRE Ralph Fiennes will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 40th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Fiennes will be honored on Thursday, February 6, 2025 for his acclaimed performance as Cardinal Lawrence in Focus Features’ Conclave. Ralph Fiennes delivers a captivating and nuanced performance in Conclave, bringing a depth to his role and expertly conveying the intricate complexities of his character. After winning audience and jury awards throughout the film’s fall festival run, the film had a strong opening in U.S. theaters this past weekend and continued to win over movie-goers.
“Ralph Fiennes is one of the most gifted actors working in both cinema and theatre and has bequeathed us with so many memorable and extraordinary performances. He outdoes himself in “Conclave” - bestowing us with what may be the best work in his already legendary career.” noted SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling.
Ralph Fiennes made his feature film debut as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights in 1992. His film credits include Schindler’s List, The English Patient, The Constant Gardener, The End of the Affair, The Reader, Oscar and Lucinda, Sunshine, Strange Days, The Hurt Locker, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. He played Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series and the role of ‘M’ in Skyfall, Spectre and No Time To Die.
Fiennes has been the recipient of many significant awards and nominations for his work on film and in the theatre. He was nominated for Academy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTAs for his roles in both The English Patient and Schindler’s List, winning the BAFTA for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the latter. He was also nominated for BAFTAs for The End of the Affair and The Constant Gardener. He was nominated for the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for Coriolanus. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for his leading role in The Grand Budapest Hotel. Fiennes has also been honored with the Variety Award for Film Achievement, The Richard Harris Award by the British Independent Film Awards and The Empire Film Legend Award.
“Conclave” follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake, secrets which could shake the foundations of the Church.
The Outstanding Performer of the Year Award recognizes select individuals who have distinguished themselves with exceptional performances in film. Past recipients of the award include Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Sacha Baron Cohen, Adam Driver, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan, Steve Carell, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Viola Davis, James Franco, Colin Firth, Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Heath Ledger, Kate Winslet and Charlize Theron.
The 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place LIVE February 4 - February 15, 2025. Official events including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be held throughout the city, including at the historic Arlington Theatre. Passes for the 2025 Festival are on sale now at sbiff.org. ________________________________________________________________________ TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET to Received Arlington Artist of the Year Award at the 40TH Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival by  SBIFF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025 Cinema maverick Timothée Chalamet will be honored with the prestigious Arlington Artist of the Year Award at the 40th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). Chalamet will receive the award during an in-person tribute and career retrospective on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The evening will highlight his performances in two highly acclaimed films: A COMPLETE UNKNOWN (Dir. James Mangold) and DUNE: PART TWO (Dir. Denis Villeneuve). This honor recognizes Chalamet’s unparalleled talent and his enduring impact on the cinematic landscape. “I’m a big fan of Bob Dylan, and I was blown away by Chalamet’s transformation in A COMPLETE UNKNOWN. His performance is galvanizing and electrifying, especially coming on the heels of the major box office triumph earlier this year with DUNE: PART TWO. Truly, this is the age of Chalamet” said SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling. Timothée Chalamet was the youngest “Best Actor” Oscar nominee since 1939 for his breakout role in CALL ME BY YOUR NAME. He has starred in five “Best Picture” OscarⓇ nominees: CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, LADY BIRD, LITTLE WOMEN, DUNE, and DON’T LOOK UP. Additional credits include BONES AND ALL, THE FRENCH DISPATCH, BEAUTIFUL BOY, THE KING, INTERSTELLAR, and DUNE: PART TWO. He is currently in production on A24 and Josh Safdie’s MARTY SUPREME, inspired by the late American table tennis legend Martin ‘Marty’ Reisman. The 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place LIVE February 4 – February 15, 2025. Official events including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be held at SBIFF’s Riviera Theatre and its new Film Center, plus the historic Arlington Theatre. Passes for the 2025 Festival are on sale now at sbiff.org. Last year, the festival had a program of 200+ films from over 48 countries with honorary awards feted on Robert Downey Jr., Bradley Cooper, Mark Ruffalo, Jeffrey Wright, America Ferrera, Lily Gladstone, Greta Lee, Charles Melton, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Andrew Scott, Martin Scorsese, Justine Triet, Billie Eilish, and Ludwig Göransson. A-list and industry guests will once again ascend to Santa Barbara, making it a must-stop location on the awards circuit, and delivering a record number of films with many World and U.S. premieres. The film lineup and schedule will be announced January 2025.
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 39 years, SBIFF has become one of the top 10 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. SBIFF continues its commitment to education and the community throughout many free educational programs and events. SBIFF’s programs support over 18,000 kids, students and families in our local community by introducing film as an art form to young children with programs like AppleBox and Mike’s FieldTrip to the Movies; teaching film analysis to highschool and college students with programs like Rosebud and the Film Studies Program; and teaching the craft of screenwriting and filmmaking with Film Camp and 10-10-10 Mentorship programs. Most importantly SBIFF’s programs are always directed towards the under-represented and under-served communities within Santa Barbara County. More recently, SBIFF secured a long-term lease for the iconic multi-plex at 916 State Street in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. This landmark acquisition paves the way for the creation of a state-of-the-art Film Center — a vibrant, year-round destination that will serve as a central hub for cinema enthusiasts and the heart of SBIFF’s renowned Film Festival. Building on the success of the Riviera Theatre revitalization in 2016 and the opening of its own Education Center in 2019 in the downtown area, SBIFF continues to strengthen its commitment to the cultural fabric of Santa Barbara. 
Visit: www.sbiff.org for tickets and schedule
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