The SBIFF Film Center is closing soon for renovations and will bring its plans to the Santa Barbara Historic Landmarks Commission next week.
The theater, which opened in November in an existing building, will be closing temporarily on May 12 to allow for changes to the building’s interior and design. The construction is expected to last until the end of the year.
“By the end of the year, we will be reopening with a brand new state-of-the-art five-screen theatre in the heart of Downtown Santa Barbara. We will be sharing more with you in the coming weeks and months on what to expect. In the meantime please continue to join us at SBIFF’s Riviera Theatre,” the Santa Barbara International Film Festival said in a statement.
The plans for the renovations are scheduled to be discussed at the Historic Landmarks Commission on May 7. The commission will hold a concept review and likely offer some input on the designs.
The SBIFF Film Center is located at 916 State St. in the former Fiesta Five run by Metropolitan Theatres.
In plans submitted to the city, the SBIFF is preparing changes to the light fixtures, finishes, the underside of the archway, and new poster cases along the wall and circular column. The entryway will also be changed to read “SBIFF Film Center.”
The new plans also include an update to make the building ADA compliant by installing a full wheelchair ramp. The Film Center currently has a lift installed, but it will be replaced by the ramp.
In addition to Historic Landmarks Commission review, work associated with the renovation will go to the city’s Sign Committee to discuss the exterior of the building, which still says “Fiesta Five” above the marquee.
The Sign Committee is in charge of making sure all signage meets the aesthetic of the downtown area.
SBIFF took over the location last year after the previous tenants, Metropolitan Theatres Corp., declared bankruptcy in September 2024 and closed some locations.
The SBIFF then began showing a mixture of films, including cult classics, international films and documentaries.
Roger Durling, the executive officer of the SBIFF, said at the time that his goal was to bring the classic movie art house model seen in cities like New York or Chicago to Santa Barbara. The Film Center is the second building that the SBIFF has taken over. It acquired the Riviera Theatre in 2016, where it has shown international films.
When the SBIFF Film Center opened in November, it offered some upgrades to the theater including new seats, projectors and sound systems.
The five-theater building was used to show film screenings during this year’s Santa Barbara International Film Festival in February.
