The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) has announced that its 42nd edition will take place Feb. 3-13, 2027, continuing its tradition of celebrating the best in cinema while serving as a key stop on the awards season circuit.

“Another magical edition of our festival took place in February, where the love of film was the order of the day,” said Roger Durling, SBIFF executive director. “Over 200 films were celebrated, and we hosted 17 eventual Oscar winners, including Sean Penn.

“Let us do it again in 2027, for we’re having too much fun.”

The 42nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival official events will include screenings, filmmaker Q&As; industry panels; and celebrity tributes citywide, including the new McHurley Film Center, SBIFF’s Riviera Theater, and the Arlington Theatre.

The 41st Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival took place Feb. 4-14, 2026, welcoming some 80,000 attendees and screening more than 200 films from 50 countries, including 46 world premieres and 80 U.S. premieres.

The 2026 festival featured over 180 filmmaker Q&As and hosted some 50 Academy Award-nominated films. About 50% of the films in the lineup were directed by women. SBIFF received more than 4,000 film submissions and was supported by 600-plus volunteers.

Tribute honorees included Michael B. Jordan (Outstanding Performer of the Year Award), Adam Sandler (Maltin Modern Master Award), Stellan Skarsgård (Montecito Award), Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro (Hammond Cinema Vanguard Award), Kate Hudson (Arlington Artist of the Year Award), Ethan Hawke (American Riviera Award), and Virtuosos Award recipients Jacob Elordi, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Chase Infiniti, Amy Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku, Wagner Moura, Sydney Sweeney and Teyana Taylor.

Festival passes will go on sale in August at sbiff.org, and the full lineup will be announced in January.