The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), presented by UGG, has announced the lineup for the 36th edition, which runs March 31-April 10, 2021.
The festival will feature 47 world premieres and 37 U.S. premieres from 45 countries, along with tributes featuring the year’s top talent, panel discussions, and free community education and outreach programs.
The festival will take on a new look this year, with the build-out of two state-of-the-art, beachside drive-in theaters sponsored by Toyota Mirai, where every film screening will be offered to the community for free, alongside a ticketed online component featuring the entire film program in addition to SBIFF’s celebrity tributes, industry panels, and filmmaker Q&As.
“This year’s festival will look different on many fronts, but we are unchanged when it comes to what’s most important: our love of film, and our dedication to bringing forward a program of unmatched quality and sharing it with our community,” said Roger Durling, SBIFF’s executive director.
“We are so excited to have the opportunity to be a source of joy and optimism.”
SBIFF 2021 will start with the Opening Night Film, presented by UGG, on Wednesday, March 31, online and at both drive-in theatres with the world premiere of “Invisible Valley,” directed by Aaron Maurer.
“Invisible Valley,” weaves together the seemingly disparate stories of undocumented farmworkers, wealthy snowbirds, and music festival-goers over the course of a year in California’s Coachella Valley. The on-the-ground profiles drive home the incongruity of the lifestyles that coexist in an affluent community.
In exploring the history of the region as well as its future, the film uncovers an undercurrent of a looming ecological crisis threatening it all.
View trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO-1uqMpM9s.
The closing night film on Saturday, April 10, puts the spotlight on Santa Barbara to highlight a series of short documentaries by local filmmakers.
The selection of films covers a range of iconic people and places in the Santa Barbara area including the Chumash people’s annual trip to their historical village site; one woman’s journey to restore ecosystems with her flock of sheep; a local musician who received care and support from Hospice of Santa Barbara; the story of a community surviving 2020 through outdoor dancing; an artist who specializes in miniature diorama art; and a local roller-skating icon who sparked a community group known as the SB Rollers.
Awards
SBIFF has become a showcase for Academy Award frontrunners, many of whom have arrived as nominees and gone on to win the Oscar. The 36th SBIFF celebrates some of the year’s finest work in film. All tributes will be online live-streamed.
» Bill Murray will receive the Maltin Modern Master Award, 6 p.m. Friday, April 2, moderated by Leonard Maltin.
» The Virtuosos Award, presented by UGG, will be awarded to Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”), Maria Bakalova (“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”), Kingsley Ben-Adir (“One Night in Miami”), Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”), Sidney Flanigan (“Never Rarely Sometimes Always”), Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a Woman”), Tahar Rahim (“The Mauritanian”), and Zendaya (“Malcolm & Marie”), 6 p.m. Saturday, April 3, moderated by Dave Karger.
» Carey Mulligan will receive the Cinema Vanguard Award, 2 p.m. Monday, April.
» Variety Artisans Awards, sponsored by Variety, 6 p.m. Monday, April 5. Honorees to be announced.
» Outstanding Directors of the Year Award, sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter, 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 6. Honorees to be announced.
» Sacha Baron Cohen will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award, 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 7.
» Delroy Lindo will receive the American Riviera Award, 6 p.m. Thursday, April 8.
» Amanda Seyfried will receive the Montecito Award, 6 p.m. Friday, April 8.
SBIFF has become renowned for creating smart, insightful panels that feature a who’s who in the world of filmmaking, including a number of Oscar contenders. Returning will be the annual Producers Panel, Writers Panel, and Women’s Panel. All panels will be online live-streamed.
Educational and Free Programs
» Mike’s FieldTrip to the Movies – Named for renowned nature cinematographer Mike deGruy, Mike’s FieldTrip to the Movies uses filmmaking to stimulate creative, confident, and culturally aware thinkers.
This year’s Mike’s FieldTrip to the Movies Program will be offered to 5,000-6,000 underserved and low-income students in grades four to six from Title I schools throughout Santa Barbara County. The program will include to-be-announced critically acclaimed films.
SBIFF will provide classrooms with a virtual introduction to filmmaking and storytelling through recorded talks with filmmakers and artisans from three of this year’s top animated films, along with film education study guides and activities. Sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust, Patagonia, Union Bank, and Volentine Family Foundation.
» Film Studies Program – Returning for its seventh year, the national student Film Studies Program will virtually host 30 undergraduate film students from across the country to attend the Film Festival and take part in a curriculum that turns the festival into an interactive classroom.
Participants receive priority access to the films, SBIFF’s Panel Series, filmmaker seminars, Tributes, as well as Q&As with filmmakers, talent, and other professionals. SBIFF also invites an additional 30 college students in Santa Barbara to take an 11-Day Film Festival course through Santa Barbara City College. Sponsored by Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin.
» 10–10–10 Student Screenwriting and Filmmaking Mentorship and Competition – The 10-10-10 Program is made up of 20 high school and college screenwriters and filmmakers from Santa Barbara.
This year’s program includes virtual workshops and mentorship, with each participant paired with an industry mentor specifically assigned to them in addition to a casting, visual effects, producing and sound mentor who are there to mentor the students throughout their production process.
The screenwriters and directors are paired and guided through the process of taking a film from script to screen. Other program highlights include pitching sessions, table reads, guest speaker Q&A’s and film talks. Sponsored by Final Draft Inc.
» Free Filmmaker Seminars – SBIFF will again present educational seminars with filmmakers premiering at this year’s festival. These seminars will be free to the public and will take place online daily during the festival.
The ADL Stand Up Award sponsored by ADL Santa Barbara/Tri-Counties – This award will be presented to a dramatic film in the festival that represents an important message consistent with ADL’s efforts “to secure justice and fair treatment for all.”
2021 Films
Below is a list of feature and short films at the 2021 SBIFF. For the complete list of films, synopses, and other special events, visit www.sbiff.org or the SBIFF app.
22 World Premiere Feature Films (listed alphabetically)
Addict Named Hal
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Lane Michael Stanley
Alaskan Nets
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Jeff Harasimowicz
Broken Diamonds
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Peter Sattler
The Cinderella Addiction
Japan – World Premiere
Directed by Ryohei Watanabe
Cinema of Sleep
Canada – World Premiere
Directed by Jeffrey St. Jules
Climb
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Neil Myers
The Conservation Game
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Michael Webber
Coast
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Jessica Hester, Derek Schweickart
Daughters of the Waves
France – World Premiere
Directed by Lisa Monin, Sébastien Daguerressar
Evan Wood
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Niki Byrne
Highway One
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Jaclyn Bethany
The Hosts (Os donos da casa)
Brazil – World Premiere
Directed by Carla Dauden
Invisible Valley
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Aaron Maurer
The Knot (Uljhan)
India – World Premiere
Directed by Ashish Pant
La Recua – The Mule Pack Train
USA, Mexico – World Premiere
Directed by Darío Higuera Meza, Trudi Angell
Last Call
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Johnny Sweet
Reclaim Idaho
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Laura Wing-Kamoosi, Jim Kamoosi
The Revolution Generation
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Josh Tickell, Rebecca Tickell
$avvy
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Robin Hauser
Snakehead
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Evan Jackson Leong
Trees of Peace
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Alanna Brown
We Burn Like This
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Alana Waksman
29 U.S. Premiere Feature Films (listed alphabetically)
Akilla’s Escape
Canada – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Charles Officer
Baby
Spain – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Juanma Bajo Ulloa
Backyard Village
Iceland – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Marteinn Thórsson
A Bruddah’s Mind (Cabeça de nêgo)
Brazil – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Déo Cardoso
By Your Side (À la folie)
France – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Audrey Estrougo
Erna at War (Erna i krig)
Denmark, Estonia, Belgium – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Henrik Ruben Genz
Fear (Strah)
Bulgaria – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Ivaylo Hristov
Fellinopolis
Italy – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Silvia Giulietti
The Flood Won’t Come (Tvano nebus)
Lithuania – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Marat Sargsyan
The Forbidden Strings
Iran, Afghanistan, Qatar – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Hasan Noori
Fortitude (La fortaleza)
Venezuela, Colombia, France, Netherlands – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Jorge Thielen Armand
Four Mothers
Israel – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Dana Keidar Levin, Rephael Levin
The Ghosts (Los fantasmas)
Guatemala, Argentina – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Sebastián Lojo
Karnawal
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Juan Pablo Félix
Ladies Of Steel
Finland – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Pamela Tola
The Last Ones (Viimeiset)
Finland, Estonia, Netherlands – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Veiko Õunpuu
Listen, Portugal
UK – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Ana Rocha de Sousa
The Man with the Answers
Cyprus, Greece, Italy – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Stelios Kammitsis
Mirage (Miraggio)
Switzerland – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Nina Stefanka
My First Summer
Australia – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Katie Found
One-Way to Moscow
Switzerland – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Micha Lewinsky
The Pit (Bedre)
Latvia, Finland – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Dace Pūce
Poppie Nongena
South Africa – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Christiaan Olwagen
Run Woman Run
Canada – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Zoe Hopkins
Six Angry Women
New Zealand – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Megan Jones
Teach Me if You Can
France – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Émilie Thérond
Under My Skin
Australia – U.S. Premiere
Directed by David O’Donnell
We Will Never Die
Argentina – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Eduardo Crespo
When I’m Done Dying
Turkey, USA, Germany – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Nisan Dağ
2021 SBIFF Feature Films (non-premieres listed alphabetically)
American Skin
USA
Directed by Nate Parker
Giants Being Lonely
USA
Directed by Grear Patterson
Hope
Norway
Directed by Maria Sødahl
2021 SBIFF Shorts
Anxious
USA
Directed by Anthony Gilbert
Anything for You
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Matt Ferrucci
The Beast of Our Time
USA – World Premiere
The Beauty President
USA
Directed by Whitney Skauge
Becoming Eddie
USA
Directed by Lilan Bowden
Black Boys Can’t Cry
USA
Directed by Victor Gabriel
Bobby
USA – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Henry Burge
Can’t Have It Both Ways
USA
Directed by Morningstar Angeline
The Carousel
Italy
Directed by Valerio Berruti
Clara With a Mustache
Kosovo – World Premiere
Directed by Ilir Blakcori
A Critter Fable
USA
Directed by Grace Fisher
Cycles
USA
Directed by Jonathan Barenboim
Dia De Los Muertos
USA – U.S. Premiere
Directed by George Ortega, Ricardo Ortega
Dis-Dance!
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Michael Love
East-West
Poland – World Premiere
Directed by Natalia Koniarz
Electric Lady
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Casey McGarry
Eyes
USA
Directed by Zachary Goodwin, Flynn Harris, Alex Flanagan, Alex Kumph
First Light
USA
Directed by Amy Lee Ketchum
Gratified
USA
Directed by Leslie Hope
The Great Malaise
Canada
Directed by Amy Catherine Lepage
Heartland
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Jahmil Eady
Homecoming: Journey to Limuw
USA
Directed by Nick Zachar
Hospice of Santa Barbara Presents: Manuel’s Story
USA
Directed by Greg Kroes
I, Barnabé
Canada
Directed by Jean-François Lévesque
Identibye
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Sajjad Shahhatami
In White Places
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Brian Keith Powell
Kaizo
USA – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Jeremy Lethco
Kapaemahu
USA
Directed by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, Joe WIlson
Keeping the Sport Alive
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Will Hahn
Keiara
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Floyd Russ
The Kicksled Choir
Norway
Directed by Torfinn Iversen
Language of Dreams
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Peter Sasowsky
The Last Ferry from Grass Island
Hong Kong
Directed by Linhan Zhang
Lion on the Mat
USA
Directed by Asali Echols
Lucky
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Phinehas L Hodges
Malakout
Iran
Directed by Farnoosh Abedi
Man with a Broom
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Joel Rader, Lydia Leiber, Caroline Nouhan
A Man with Emotions
USA
Directed by Miki Inoguchi
Mariah: A Boxer’s Dream
USA
Directed by Nina Meredith
The Mechanical Dancer
USA
Directed by Jenna Jaillet
Mrs. Taylor’s Show & Tell – A Prince Story
USA
Directed by Victor Dean
My Father The Mover
South Africa
Directed by Julia Jansch
Nickel in the Sand
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Mike Winger
Nine
USA
Directed by Jane Musky
Not One More
USA – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Cameron Leingang
Ocean Stories: Michele’s Magic Carpet Ride
USA – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Patrick Creadon, Greg Goggin
Pant Hoot
USA
Directed by Richard Reens
Project H
France
Directed by Maharaki
Remisivir
Romania – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Bobby Barbacioru
River Tigers: Giant Taimen of the Russian Far East
USA – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Andy Maser, Adam Bagger
Roy
UK – World Premiere
Directed by Tom Berkeley, Ross White
Safe
US – World Premiere
Directed by Josema Roig
Savior
USA
Directed by Christopher Oroza-Nostas
Shadow Of The Fox
US – World Premiere
Directed by Nooshin Meraji
Shepherd’s Song
USA
Directed by Abby Fuller
Sperm
USA – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Kirsten Kearse
Stoke Chasers
USA
Directed by Jo Anna Edmison
Stormy and the Admirals
USA
Directed by Dan Rybicky
Subtle Body
USA – U.S. Premiere
Directed by Robin Bisio
Sunshine In The Rain
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Benny Chen
Sweet Dreams
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Navid Saedi
Tristo
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Ryan Oligmueller
Underdogs
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Alex Astrella
The Unknown
UK
Directed by Stephanie Marshall
Vial
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Sonja O’Hara, Micah Stuart
Vuja De
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Casey McGarry
Waking Up
USA – World Premiere
Directed by James Patrick Nelson
Wally Wenda
USA
Directed by Diane Russo
When It’s Late
USA – World Premiere
Directed by Mitch Hadley
The Winter
Australia
Directed by Xin Li