Greetings everyone. Today’s blog is celebrating the announcement of the 40th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Here is a look back at highlights from February’s If you have read my blog in the past, you know SBIFF, is one of my favorite film festivals of the year. I have been attending and covering the festival since 2010. The SBIFF always is the final stop and final on the road to The Academy Awards. Each year SBIFF has a tremendos list of Celebrity Tributes (most are nominated for Oscars) to go along with a week and a half of independent films. This years line up cotinued the festivals tradition. The 39th Santa Barbara International Film Festival took place in person February 7 – February 17, 2024. Events included screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes. Some of the A list talent who appeared in 2024 was Oscar Nominees, Bradley Cooper, Robert Downey Junior, Mark Ruffalo, Jeffrey Wright, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, America Ferrera and singer Billie Eilish.
Some of my excitement took a serious blow when I was not given a Journalist pass, which meant I couldn’t attend any films or tributes. I was told if I wanted to attend I had to buy my own ticket. After 11 days in a hotel I barley could afford food. So there really isn’t much to write about this one, just some things that took place on the carpet.
The festival, featured 19 world premieres, 56 U.S. premieres from 48 countries along with panels, tributes and educational programs. The 2024 festival kicked off with Disney’s documentary “Madu,” a directed by Matthew Ogens and Joel ‘Kachi Benson. The film told the story of Anthony Madu, a Nigerian teen who became an overnight sensation in 2020 after a video showed him dancing ballet barefoot on a rainy street outside Lagos.
Outstanding Performer of the Year Award Honoring Bradley Cooper-
The second night was one of the biggest of the festival. SBIFF was honoring Bradley for his work as director, actor and producer of “Maestro”. The film that is based on the relationship between American composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife Felicia Montealegre. It was directed by Bradley Cooper, from a screenplay he wrote with Josh Singer. It was produced by Cooper, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, The film stars Carey Mulligan as Montealegre. The carpet opened with an appearance by former “X-File’s” star, Actor David Duchovny who was at the festival for the World Premiere of “Veselka”, Directed by Michael Fiore. Finally, it came the time for Bradley’s arrival. Bradley was not alone on the Red Carpet with him was his co-star and Best Actress nominee Carey Mulligan. The two posed for photos together and by them selves before heading into the Arlington theatre for the tribute.
All Photos: © Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography
Maltin Modern Master Award honoring Robert Downey Jr.
The weekend kicked off with another major tribute Maltin Modern Master Award honoring Robert Downey Jr. for his performance in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and his entire career. This was going to be my first time photographing Robert for a non “Avengers”/”Iron Man” film. Robert arrived with a couple of guests. The tributes all had friends or co-workers give the recipient before accepting their awards. Robert chose friend Rob Lowe. Lowe was not alone with him was his son actor John Owen Lowe. Father and son can be seen together on the Netflix show “Unstable”. Robert had another surprise guest, “Oppenheimer” star Academy Award Winner Cillian Murphy. By the time Robert got to the carpet it was almost show time. So I knew it would be a quick shoot. Downy and friends were chatting with Roberts back to the press line. he ended up walking past my spot and Getty’s spot. The only shots were could get were candids. One of the frustrated photographers was pushing to get into a spot he could get shots. This caused an almost accident and Robert going from a joker to a concerned person. That was the only way to get photos. After the press line Robert and company headed into the theatre for the tribute without talking to any of the video people.
All Photos: © Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography
Virtuosos Award
Next up was the Virtuosos Award. The award is a Partner nominated award given to someone whose performance on a specific project has exceeded expectations and has demonstrated great results. The 2024 recipients were America Ferrera (BARBIE) Lily Gladstone (THE KILLERS OF FLOWER MOON) Greta Lee (PAST LIVES) Charles Melton (MAY DECEMBER) Da’Vine Joy Randolph (THE HOLDOVERS) Andrew Scott (ALL OF US STRANGERS)
All Photos: © Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography
Variety Artisans Award
Supper Bowl Sunday started with, The Variety Artisans Award honors those nominated for an Academy Award in below-the-line categories, this year’s Artisans Awards highlights those essential to the filmmaking process and who have exhibited the most exciting and innovative work in their respective fields. Nomonally this is a nighttime event but the festival wanted to acommidate Oscar Winner 2x pop star Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas who were nominated for “What Was I Made For”? The duo showed up on time at 11am. When one of the photographers asked her to smile she said “I’m usally going to bed at the time I left LA for Santa Barbara. The others being honored were:Stephane Ceretti – VFX – “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”
Ludwig Göransson – Composer – “Oppenheimer”
Sarah Greenwood/Katie Spencer – Production Designer – “Barbie”
Kazu Hiro- Hairstyling/Makeup – “Maestro”
Jennifer Lame – Editor – “Oppenheimer”
Rodrigo Prieto – Cinematography- “Killers of the Flower Moon”
Michael Semanick – Re-recording Mixer – “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
Holly Waddington – Costume Designer – “Poor Things”
All Photos: © Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography
American Riviera Award honoring Mark Ruffalo
As Sunday evening approached I watched the Super Bowl on my phone, while waiting for Mark to arrive. One of the only complaints for the festival were a lack of women being honored. After watching my home town team loose on the last play of the game all the sudden what did I see but Emma Stone who was nominated for and won Best Actress for her work in “Poor Things”. Emma ended up walking the carpet after signing autographs and celebrating the Cheifs win with fans. Mark arrived and workrd the press line.
All Photos: © Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography
Cinema Vanguard Award honoring Paul Giamatti
The Cinema Vanguard Award recognizes actors who have forged their own path, taking artistic risks and making a significant and unique contribution to film. The reciprent of the award(my choice for Best Actor 2024) Paul Giamatti, who was being honored for his work in “The Holdovers”. Paul was joined by former castmate from “Sideways”, Virginia Madsen. The two posed for photos seperatly and together.
All Photos: © Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography
All Photos: © Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography
Montecito Award honoring Jeffrey Wright
The Montecito Award Given to a person in the entertainment industry who has made a great contribution to film. The 2024 Recipient was Jeffrey Wright who was being honored for his amazing work in “American Fiction”. Jeffrey, was very acomidating letting everyone get their photos. He then headed into the Arlington for his tribute.
All Photos: © Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography
Closing Night Film World Premiere of “Chosen Family”
The festival ended with the closing night film by Actress and First time director Heather Graham and stars Graham and Julia Stiles. The film is about Yoga teacher Ann is trying to find inner peace despite having a manic family, a miserable dating life, and an inability to say no that keeps her busy trying to fix everyone else’s problems.
All Photos: © Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography
All Photos: © Jonathan Scott Shensa Photography
Once again SBIFF had another amazing festival. I just wish I could have seen any of the films and tributes. I suggest if you are a filmmaker submit to their festival.The SBIFF, has announced that the 40th annual festival will take place in Santa Barbara, California, from February 4 through February 15.In honor of its 40th year, the festival will run for 12 days to celebrate the landmark moment.
“As we embark on our 40th year, we are proud of what we’ve accomplished and exhilarated for what is ahead of us. We will be announcing a few surprises in the next few months. Onward and upwards” said Roger Durling, SBIFF’s executive director.
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