Santa Barbara Film Fest: 33 World Premieres, 74 U.S. Premieres and Dozens of Oscar Hopefuls Set for 40th Edition
The 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which is set to take place Feb. 4-15, one day longer than previous editions, in recognition of its milestone anniversary, has released its full program.
The lineup — listed in full at the bottom of this post — is comprised of films from 60 countries. Thirty-three will be world premieres and 74 will be U.S. premieres. The U.S. premiere of Jane Austen Wrecked My Life will kick off the fest on Feb. 4, and the U.S. premiere of A Missing Part will close it on Feb. 15.
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This year’s fest will be dedicated to and raise financial support for those affected by the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires. “As the tragic events in our sister city of Los Angeles were unfolding, we debated about moving forward with SBIFF,” the fest’s executive director Roger Durling said in a statement. “Film has always been a conduit for comfort and renewal, and film festivals play a vital role in fostering a sense of connection. Festivals build community, and create an outlet for the process of feelings. In light of this, it became clear that we must move forward with our 40th edition. The twelve days of the festival will be dedicated to the City of Angels, and we will put in place an initiative during it to raise funds for LA in partnership with Direct Relief.”
Throughout the fest, all donations to this effort will be doubled through the generosity of a $100,000 matching grant.
Claudia Puig, the fest’s programming director, added: “This year’s lineup, featuring films from Peru to Kazakhstan, showcases a diverse range of globally relevant themes, from thought-provoking explorations of social justice to pressing environmental challenges. We are confident that these films — a record number of which were made by women — will be loved by audiences as much as they are by our programming team.”
This year’s festival jurors will include Estrella Araiza (Guadalajara International Film Festival Managing Director), Max Barbakow (filmmaker, Palm Springs), Oscar nominee Moses Bwayo (filmmaker, Bobi’s Wine: The People’s President), Andres Castillo (Miami International Film Festival Managing Director and Senior Programmer), Jeff Christian (filmmaker, Echo Chamber), Jimmy Jean-Louis (actor), Oscar winner Margaret Lazarus (director, Defending Our Lives), Jena Malone (actor), Oscar nominee Gregory Nava (director) and Oscar nominee Shawn Patterson (composer).
The fest also confirmed the full slate of career-retrospective tributes with Oscar hopefuls that will take place at the historic Arlington Theatre on almost every evening of the fest. They are:
Maltin Modern Master Award honoring Angelina Jolie – Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Leonard Maltin.
Outstanding Performer of the Year Award honoring Ralph Fiennes – Thursday, Feb. 6, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Scott Feinberg.
American Riviera Award presented by Lexus honoring Zoe Salda?a – Friday, Feb. 7, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Anne Thompson.
Variety Artisans Award – Saturday, Feb. 8, at 8:00 p.m. Honorees to be announced. Moderated by Jazz Tangcay.
Virtuosos Award presented by Manitou Fund honoring Kieran Culkin [A REAL PAIN], Harris Dickinson [BABYGIRL], Karla Sofía Gascón [EMILIA PéREZ], Selena Gomez [EMILIA PéREZ], Ariana Grande [WICKED], Clarence Maclin [SING SING], Mikey Madison [ANORA], and John Magaro [SEPTEMBER 5] – Sunday, Feb. 9, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Dave Karger.
Arlington Artist of the Year Award presented by FIJI Water honoring Timothée Chalamet – Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 8:00 p.m. Moderator to be announced.
Cinema Vanguard Award honoring Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce – Thursday, Feb. 13, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Pete Hammond.
Montecito Award presented by Manitou Fund honoring Colman Domingo – Friday, Feb. 14, at 8:00 p.m. Moderated by Roger Durling.
Outstanding Directors of the Year Award – Date and Honorees to be announced. Moderated by Scott Feinberg.
SBIFF’s celebrated panels are also returning this year, with panelists still to be named:
Animation Panel – Friday, Feb. 7, at 5:30 p.m. – SBIFF Film Center – Moderated by Roger Durling
Writers Panel – Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11:00 a.m. – Arlington Theatre – Moderated by Anne Thompson
International Directors Panel – Sunday, Feb. 9, at 11:00 a.m. – Arlington Theatre – Moderated by Roger Durling
Women’s Panel – Saturday, Feb. 15, at 11:00 a.m. – Arlington Theatre – Moderated by Madelyn Hammond
Producers Panel – Date and Time to be announced – Arlington Theatre – Moderated by Nicole Sperling
The full SBIFF lineup for 2025 follows.
2025 SBIFF FEATURE FILMS
13 WORLD PREMIERES AND 55 US PREMIERES
Across the Sea (La mer au loin)
Directed by Sa?d Hamich Benlarbi
US Premiere
France, Morocco, Belgium
Ai Weiwei’s Turandot
Directed by Maxim Derevianko
World Premiere
Italy
All God’s Children
Directed by Ondi Timoner
United States
Among Neighbors
Directed by Yoav Potash
US Premiere
United States
Aontas
Directed by Damian McCann
US Premiere
Ireland
An Arrangement
Directed by Noree Victoria
World Premiere
United States
At the Door of the House Who Will Come Knocking (Ko ?e pokucati na vrata mog doma)
Directed by Maja Novakovi?
US Premiere
Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Balomanía
Directed by Sissel Morell Dargis
Denmark, Spain
Bauryna Salu
Directed by Askhat Kuchinchirekov
US Premiere
Kazakhstan
Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue
Directed by Jill Campbell
United States
Beyond the Horizon
Directed by Mark Gillard
United States
The Bitter Pill
Directed by Clay Tweel
United States
Blue Road: The Edna O’Brien Story
Directed by Sinéad O’Shea
Ireland, United Kingdom
Bustin’ Down the Door
Directed by Jeremy Gosch
United States
Can I Get a Witness?
Directed by Ann Marie Fleming
US Premiere
Canada
Carissa
Directed by Jason Jacobs, Devon Delmar
US Premiere
South Africa
Coastal
Directed by Daryl Hannah
United States
Color Book
Directed by David Fortune
United States
Coup 53
Directed by Taghi Amirani
United Kingdom, United States, Iran
Crocodile Tears (Air mata buaya)
Directed by Tumpal Tampubolon
US Premiere
Indonesia
Democracy Under Siege
Directed by Laura Nix
US Premiere
Belgium, Luxembourg, USA
Desert Angel
Directed by Vincent DeLuca
United States
Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight
Directed by Embeth Davidtz
South Africa
Drowning Dry (Ses?s)
Directed by Laurynas Barei?a
Lithuania
Enchanted Matter: The Art of Robert Powell
Directed by Tom Piozet
World Premiere
United States
Fine Young Men (Hombres íntegros)
Directed by Alejandro Andrade Pease
US Premiere
Mexico, Spain, France
Following Harry
Directed by Susanne Rostock
United States
Froggie
Directed by Luke Morgan
US Premiere
Ireland
Glimmers (Los destellos)
Directed by Pilar Palomero
US Premiere
Spain
The Good Teacher (Pas de vagues)
Directed by Teddy Lussi-Modeste
US Premiere
France
Hakk?
Directed by Hikmet Kerem ?zcan
US Premiere
Turkey
Her Name Was Moviola
Directed by Howard Berry
United Kingdom
Home Court
Directed by Erica Tanamachi
United States
Honeydew
Directed by Michael Petrolini, Marco Bergonzi
US Premiere
Italy, Sweden
Housewife of the Year
Directed by Ciarán Cassidy
Ireland
How Kids Roll
Directed by Loris Lai
US Premiere
Italy
I Hate Myself and Want to Die
Directed by J. Davis
United States
I’m Your Venus
Directed by Kimberly Reed
United States
In the Red
Directed by Mimi Chakarova
World Premiere
United States
Incandescence
Directed by Nova Ami, Velcrow Ripper
US Premiere
Canada
I Was a Teenage Sex Pistol
Directed by Nick Mead, Andre Relis
World Premiere
United States
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life (Jane Austen a gaché ma vie)
Directed by Laura Piani
US Premiere
France
The Knife
Directed by Nnamdi Asomugha
United States
Last Swim
Directed by Sasha Nathwani
US Premiere
United Kingdom
Lilly
Directed by Rachel Feldman
United States
Linda
Directed by Mariana Wainstein
US Premiere
Argentina, Spain
Lucky Star
Directed by Gillian McKercher
US Premiere
Canada
Magic Hour
Directed by Jacqueline Christy
World Premiere
United States
Marching in the Dark (??????????? ?????)
Directed by Kinshuk Surjan
US Premiere
Belgium, Netherlands, India
Maya and the Wave
Directed by Stephanie Johnes
United States
Maydegol
Directed by Sarvnaz Alambeigi
US Premiere
Iran,Germany,France
Men of War
Directed by Billy Corben, Jen Gatien
United States
Michel Gondry: Do It Yourself
Directed by Fran?ois Nemeta
US Premiere
France
A Missing Part (Une part manquante)
Directed by Guillaume Senez
US Premiere
Belgium, France
Mistress Dispeller
Directed by Elizabeth Lo
China, United States
Mistura
Directed by Ricardo de Montreuil
Peru
Mollie’s Pack
Directed by Thomas Winston
United States
Mothers of Chibok
Directed by Joel ‘Kachi Benson
United States, Nigeria
Mr. K
Directed by Tallulah Hazekamp Schwab
US Premiere
Netherlands, Norway, Belgium
Mrs. Robinson
Directed by Aoife Kelleher
US Premiere
Ireland
My Dead Friend Zoe
Directed by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes
United States
My Eternal Summer (Min evige sommer)
Directed by Sylvia Le Fanu
US Premiere
Denmark
My Father’s Daughter (Biru Unjárga)
Directed by Egil Pedersen
US Premiere
Norway, Sweden, Finland
My Stolen Planet (Sayyareye dozdide shodeye man)
Directed by Farahnaz Sharifi
Germany, Iran
O Horizon
Directed by Madeleine Rotzler
World Premiere
United States
Olivia & the Clouds (Olivia & las nubes)
Directed by Tomás Pichardo Espaillat
US Premiere
Dominican Republic
The Origin of the World (L’Origine del mondo)
Directed by Rossella Inglese
US Premiere
Italy
Our Lovely Pig Slaughter (Mord)
Directed by Adam Martinec
US Premiere
Czech Republic
Out of Plain Sight
Directed by Daniel Straub, Rosanna Xia
United States
Paddle Out
Directed by Sebi Lee, Melissa Pappageorgas
World Premiere
United States
Park Avenue
Directed by Gaby Dellal
US Premiere
United States
Parrot Kindergarten
Directed by Amy Herdy
World Premiere
United States
The Penguin Lessons
Directed by Peter Cattaneo
Spain, United Kingdom
Quasi a Casa
Directed by Carolina Pavone
US Premiere
Italy
The Quiet Ones (De lydl?se)
Directed by Frederik Louis Hviid
Denmark
The Righteous (Todos somos justos)
Directed by Carlos Leiva Barahona
US Premiere
Chile
Roads of Fire
Directed by Nathaniel Lezra
World Premiere
United States
Rocco & Sjuul
Directed by Anna van der Heide
US Premiere
Netherlands
Row of Life
Directed by Soraya Simi
World Premiere
United States
Seeking a Haven for Mr. Rambo (Al bahs an manfaz i khoroug al sayed Rambo)
Directed by Khaled Mansour
US Premiere
Egypt
Separated
Directed by Errol Morris
United States, Mexico
The Shepherd and the Bear
Directed by Max Keegan
United States, United Kingdom, France
Shepherds (Bergers)
Directed by Sophie Deraspe
US Premiere
Canada, France
Shook
Directed by Amar Wala
US Premiere
Canada
Shot the Voice of Freedom
Directed by Zainab Entezar
US Premiere
Afghanistan
Skin in Spring (La piel en primavera)
Directed by Yennifer Uribe Alzate
US Premiere
Colombia
Soda
Directed by Erez Tadmor
US Premiere
Israel
The Song Cycle
Directed by Nick Kelly
US Premiere
Ireland
Sons (Vogter)
Directed by Gustav M?ller
Denmark
Space Cowboy
Directed by Marah Strauch, Bryce Leavitt
United States
Speak.
Directed by Jennifer Tiexiera
United States
Spider & Jessie
Directed by Dan Kay
World Premiere
United States
Spring of the Vanishing
Directed by Andrew Glazer
World Premiere
United States
The Summer Book
Directed by Charlie McDowell
United States, Finland
The Swedish Torpedo (Den svenska torpeden)
Directed by Frida Kempff
US Premiere
Sweden
They Will Be Dust (Polvo serán)
Directed by Carlos Marques-Marcet
US Premiere
Spain, Italy, Switzerland
Third Act
Directed by
Tadashi Nakamura
United States
Tiny Lights (Svetylka)
Directed by Beata Parkanová
US Premiere
Czech Republic, Slovakia
To Close Your Eyes and See Fire
Directed by Nicola von Leffern, Jakob Carl Sauer
US Premiere
Austria
To Kill a Mongolian Horse
Directed by Xiaoxuan Jiang
Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, United States
To Kill a Wolf
Directed by Kelsey Taylor
United States
Top 10 Must (Topp 10 M?st)
Directed by ól?f Birna Torfadóttir
US Premiere
Iceland
Trifole
Directed by Gabriele Fabbro
Italy, South Africa, USA
Triumph
Directed by Kristina Grozeva, Petar Valchanov
US Premiere
Bulgaria, Greece
Undercover (La infiltrada)
Directed by Arantxa Echevarria
US Premiere
Spain
Village Keeper
Directed by Karen Chapman
US Premiere
Canada
The Village Next to Paradise
Directed by Mo Harawe
Somalia, Austria, France, Germany
Viva Verdi!
Directed by Yvonne Russo
United States
Walk with Me
Directed by Heidi Levitt
United States
Waves (Vlny)
Directed by Ji?í Mádl
Czech Republic
Way Home (Vejen hjem)
Directed by Charlotte Sieling
Denmark
When We Were Sisters
Directed by Lisa Brühlmann
US Premiere
Switzerland, Greece
The White House Effect
Directed by Bonni Cohen
United States
Wild Gleaming Space (Luminoso espacio salvaje)
Directed by Mauro Colombo
US Premiere
Panama, Spain
The Wolves Always Come at Night (Чоно ??р ш?н??р ирдэг)
Directed by Gabrielle Brady
US Premiere
Mongolia, Australia, Germany
Yen and Ai-Lee (Xiao Yan Yu Wu Ai-Lee)
Directed by Tom Shu-yu Lin
US Premiere
Taiwan
2025 SBIFF SHORT FILMS
17 WORLD PREMIERES AND 19 U.S. PREMIERES
26,000 Days
Directed by Henry Behel
United States
4th Dementia
Directed by Ian Wexler
United States
Adiós
Directed by José Prats
Spain
All Things Metal
Directed by Motoki Otsuka
United States
Azi
Directed by Montana Mann
United States
Balloon
Directed by Law Chen
World Premiere
United States
Battle of the Blues
Directed by Adam Ernster
World Premiere
United States
Beautiful Men
Directed by Nicolas Keppens
Belgium, France, Netherlands
Betye Saar: Drifting Toward Twilight
Directed by Kyle Provencio Reingold
United States
A Bird Flew (Un pájaro voló)
Directed by Leinad Pájaro De la Hoz
US Premiere
Colombia, Cuba
Bitter Chocolate (Shokolate Talkh)
Directed by Sahar Sotoodeh?
US Premiere
Iran, Germany
Bug Diner
Directed by Phoebe Jane Hart
United States
The Devil Is Busy
Directed by Christalyn Hampton, Geeta Gandbhir
United States
Did You Forget Mr. Fogel?
Directed by Max Karpman
United States
The Flamingo
Directed by Corina Mazzi
World Premiere
United States
Gender Reveal
Directed by Mo Matton
Canada
George
Directed by Aaron Craig, Alex Craig
World Premiere
United States
The Green Buffalo
Directed by Joel Caldwell
World Premiere
United States
Hello Stranger
Directed by Amélie Hardy
Canada
Hold Up
Directed by Ori Guendelman
United States
Hymn of the Plague (Gimn Chume)
Directed by Ataka51
US Premiere
Russia, Germany
I Accidentally Stepped on a Flower (Aksidentalisht Shkela Nj? Lule)
Directed by Eneos ?arka, Stivi Imami
US Premiere
Albania
Icebreakers
Directed by Jocelyn Glatzer, Marlo Poras
World Premiere
United States
Imogene
Directed by Katie Blair
United States
Is Now a Good Time
Directed by Jim Cummings
United States
Keep the Funk
Directed by Gareth Kelly
World Premiere
United States
The Kelp We Breathe
Directed by Jack Phillips, Natalie Aymond, Tatum Davis, Taylor Ortiz
World Premiere
United States
L’avance
Directed by Djiby Kebe
France
Last Hope
Directed by Lena Kaminsky
World Premiere
United States
The Last Observers
Directed by Maja K Mikkelsen
United States
Leonie, Skeet & the Piglets (Leonie, Skeet & de biggen)
Directed by Jip Heijenga
Belgium
Little Monsters (Les Petits Monstres)
Directed by Pablo Léridon
US Premiere
France
London, KY
Directed by Cody Duncum
World Premiere
United States
Mango
Directed by Joan Iyiola
World Premiere
United Kingdom, France
Massacre of the Innocents
Directed by SaraKlara Hellstr?m
US Premiere
Sweden
???? ??? (Meet Me at the Creek)
Directed by Loren Waters
United States
Mother’s Day
Directed by Kathryn Boyd Brolin
United States
Mr. Floof
Directed by Claire Taback Sliney
United States
My Memory Walls (Mes murs-mémoire)
Directed by Axel Robin
World Premiere
Canada
The New Yorker Theater: The Talbots’ Legacy
Directed by Sergio Maza
World Premiere
United States, Argentina
Not Just Water
Directed by Tess McCormick
World Premiere
United States
O
Directed by Rúnar Rúnarsson
Iceland
On a Sunday at Eleven
Directed by Alicia K. Harris
Canada
On Weary Wings Go By (Linnud l?inud)
Directed by Anu-Laura Tuttelberg
Estonia, Lithuania
Our Own Shadow (Nuestra sombra)
Directed by Agustina Sánchez Gavier
US Premiere
Germany, Argentina
perfectly a strangeness
Directed by Alison McAlpine
Canada
The Poison Cat
Directed by Tian Guan
US Premiere
China
quwa’
Directed by Jonathan Coronado, Ryan Grant, Jade Ipina, Catherine Scanlon
World Premiere
United States
Ragamuffin
Directed by Kaitlyn Mikayla
United States
Road Kill
Directed by Ryan Farhoudi
World Premiere
United States
Shadows
Directed by Rand Beiruty
US Premiere
France, Jordan
Shutter Bird
Directed by Réi
World Premiere
United States
Sirius
Directed by Jean-Bastien Niyigaruye
US Premiere
Canada
Snow Day!
Directed by Kiara Lin
World Premiere
United States
A Swim Lesson
Directed by Rashida Jones, Will McCormack
United States
Terminally Ill
Directed by Christopher J. Cole
United States
The Three Sisters
Directed by Timur Kognov
US Premiere
Cyprus
Tornado
Directed by Jack Kendirck
United States
Travelling Home
Directed by Juliet Klottrup
US Premiere
United Kingdom
The Truck
Directed by Elizabeth Rao
United States
Twain
Directed by Pip
US Premiere
United Kingdom
Washed Away (Naufrage)
Directed by Aucéane Roux
US Premiere
Canada
WAShhh
Directed by Mickey Lai
US Premiere
Malaysia, Ireland
Weeds (Plevel)
Directed by Pola Kazak
US Premiere
Czech Republic
Where Time Stood Still (Sadac Dro Idga)
Directed by Nino Benashvili
US Premiere
Georgia
Who Loves The Sun
Directed by Arshia Shakiba
US Premiere
Canada
The Wolf
Directed by Theodore Ushev
US Premiere
Canada
The Wool Aliens
Directed by Julia Parks
United Kingdom
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