Santa Barbara International Film Festival Announces 2023 Program
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) announced todaythe highly anticipated lineup for the 38th edition, which will run February 8 to 18, 2023. The festival will showcase 52 world premieres and 78 U.S. premieres from 43 countries, along with tributes featuring the year’s top talent, panel discussions, and free community education and outreach programs.
SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling stated this morning, “At a time where there's a dwindling of movie theater attendance, therole of film festivals has never been more important. At SBIFF, with the 38th edition, our marching orders are clear, to celebrate movies and to nurture and exalt the film community, the artists as well as the cinephiles. It's a great slate with 43 countries represented.”
OPENING NIGHT
SBIFF 2023 will kick off on Opening Night Wednesday, February 8 with the WORLD Premiere of MIRANDA’S VICTIM. Directed byMichelle Danner and starring Abigail Breslin, Ryan Phillippe, Luke Wilson, Donald Sutherland, Mireille Enos and Andy Garcia.
It’s 1963 when eighteen-year-old Patricia “Trish” Weir is kidnapped and brutally raped at knife-point. Committed to putting ErnestoMiranda in prison, Trish’s life is destroyed by America’s legal system as she triggers a law that transforms the nation.
CLOSING NIGHT
SBIFF 2023 will close on Saturday, February 18 with the US Premiere of I LIKE MOVIES. Directed by Chandler Levack and starring Isaiah Lehtinen, Romina D’Ugo, Krista Bridges, Percy Hynes White.
Lawrence, a socially inept, 17-year-old cinephile, gets a job at a video store, where he forms a complicated friendship with his older female manager.
THE TRIBUTES
SBIFF is an important showcase for Academy Award frontrunners, many of whom have arrived as nominees and gone on to winthe Oscar. The 38th SBIFF proudly celebrates some of the year’s finest work in film. All tributes will be in person at the historicArlington Theatre.
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Montecito Award honoring Angela Bassett - Thursday, February 9 at 8:00pm. Moderated by Roger Durling.
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Outstanding Performer of the Year Award presented by Manitou Fund honoring Cate Blanchett - Friday, February 10 at 8:00pm. Moderated by Scott Feinberg.
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Maltin Modern Master Award honoring Jamie Lee Curtis - Saturday, February 11 at 8:00pm. Moderated by Leonard Maltin.
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Variety Artisans Award sponsored by Variety - Monday, February 13 at 8:00pm. Honorees to be announced. Moderated by Jazz Tangcay.
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American Riviera Award sponsored by Deadline honoring Brendan Fraser - Tuesday, February 14 at 8:00pm. Moderated by Pete Hammond.
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Virtuosos Award honoring Austin Butler (Elvis), Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin), Danielle Deadwyler (Till), Nina Hoss (Tár), Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once), Jeremy Pope (The Inspection), Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All At Once), and Jeremy Strong (Armageddon Time) - Wednesday, February 16 at 8:00pm. Moderated by Dave Karger.
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Cinema Vanguard Award honoring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson - Thursday, February 16 at 8:00pm. Moderated by Dave Karger
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Outstanding Directors of the Year Award sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter - Friday, February 17 at 8:00pm. Honorees to be announced. Moderated by Scott Feinberg.
THE PANELS
SBIFF has become renowned for creating smart, insightful panels that feature a who’s who in the world of filmmaking, including many Oscar contenders. Returning will be our annual Producers Panel, Writers Panel, and Women’s Panel and introducing the NEW International Directors Panel. All Panels will be in person at the historic Arlington Theatre. Panelists to be announced.
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Writers Panel - Saturday, February 11 at 11:00am - Moderated by Anne Thompson
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Women’s Panel - Saturday, February 11 at 2:00pm - Moderated by Claudia Puig
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Producers Panel - Sunday, February 12 at 11:00am - Moderated by Glenn Whipp
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International Directors Panel - Sunday, February 12 at 7:00pm - Moderated by Roger Durling
*FREE Admission
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, FREE PROGRAMS, AND OTHER MENTIONS
SBIFF Poster Designed by Acclaimed Artist Patricia Chidlaw
The 2023 SBIFF poster was painted by acclaimed artist and Santa Barbara resident Patricia Chidlaw. She commented “As an artist I am honored to be part of this celebration of artistry that is the Santa Barbara Film Festival. And happy my painting can pay homage to our historic movie palace: the Arlington
Theater.”
Mike’s FieldTrip to the Movies – Named for renowned nature cinematographer Mike deGruy, Mike’s FieldTrip to the Movies usesfilmmaking to nurture creative, confident, and culturally aware thinkers. This year’s program will be offered to 4,000+ 4th--6th grade students from Title I (low-income) schools
throughout Santa Barbara County. This year will feature an in-person Q&A with Guillermo del Toro following a screening of GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO from Netflix. Sponsored by John C. Mithun Foundation, Montecito Bank & Trust, Patagonia, Union Bank, Bentson Foundation, and Volentine Family Foundation.
Film Studies Program – The Film Studies Program will invite 30 undergraduate film students from across the country to the FilmFestival where they'll take part in a packed curriculum that turns the festival into an interactive classroom. Participants receivepriority access to the films, panels, filmmaker seminars, tributes, as well as intimate Q&As with filmmakers.
10–10–10 Student Screenwriting and Filmmaking Mentorship and Competition – The 10-10-10 Program is made up of 20 area high school and college screenwriters and filmmakers. This year’s program includes filmmaking workshops, individual mentorship, and access to casting, visual effects, producing and sound mentors. The student screenwriters and directors are pairedtogether and guided through the process of taking a film from script to screen. Sponsored by Kaleidoscope Productions.
Free Filmmaker Seminars – SBIFF will again present seminars with filmmakers premiering at this year’s festival. These seminars will be FREE to the public and will take place on each weekday during the Festival at Tamsen Gallery at 911 1/2 State Street.
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." The winner will be announced during the Festival.
2023 FILMS
Below is the list of feature and short films at the 2023 SBIFF. For the complete list of films, synopses, and other special events please visit www.sbiff.org or the SBIFF app.
30 WORLD PREMIERE FEATURE FILMS (listed alphabetically)
21 Miles in Malibu Directed by Nic Davis United States
American Outlaws Directed by Sean McEwen United States
Bringing Back Our Wetland Directed by Michael Love United States
Bullets
Directed by Peter Pontikis Sweden
Call Me Dancer
Directed by Leslie Shampaine, Pip Gilmour United States
Commitment to Life Directed by Jeffrey Schwarz United States
Dancing with Mom Directed by Trish Neufeld Canada
The Dirty Divide
Directed by Paul Freedman United States
Dr. Tony Fauci
Directed by Mark Mannucci United States
Full Circle
Directed by Josh Berman United States
Go On, Be Brave
Directed by Miriam McSpadden, Brian Beckman United States
Grace Point
Directed by Rory Karpf United States
The Harvest
Directed by Caylee So United States
HELEN|BELIEVE
Directed by Dylan Mulick United States
The House Band
Directed by Laura Brownson United States
Ibiza Blue (La corriente) Directed by Jesús Lloveras Spain
Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection
Directed by Randy Martin United States
Killing Me Softly With His Songs
Directed by Danny Gold United States
The Legend of MexMan Directed by Josh Polon United States
Miranda's Victim
Directed by Michelle Danner United States
Rachel Hendrix Directed by Victor Nuñez United States
Rachel's Farm
Directed by Rachel Ward Australia
The Right to Read
Directed by Jenny Mackenzie United States
Samichay, in Search of Happiness (Samichay, en busca de la felicidad)
Directed by Mauricio Franco Tosso Peru
The Team (El equipo) Directed by Bernardo Ruiz United States
Tove's Room (Toves værelse) Directed by Martin Zandvliet Denmark
Vishniac
Directed by Laura Bialis United States
Voices Rising: The Music of Wakanda Forever
Directed by Bernardo Ruiz
Wade in the Water: A Journey Into Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture
Directed by David Mesfin
United States
53 U.S. PREMIERE FEATURE FILMS (listed alphabetically)
Alam
Directed by Firas Khoury Palestine
Autobiography
Directed by Makbul Mubarak Indonesia
Baby Ruby
Directed by Bess Wohl United States
A Bit of Light
Directed by Stephen Moyer United Kingdom
Black Mambas Directed by Lena Karbe Germany
Bones of Crows
Directed by Marie Clements Canada
Bread and Salt (Chleb i sól) Directed by Damian Kocur Poland
A Bunch of Amateurs Directed by Kim Hopkins United Kingdom
The Chambermaid (Sluzka)
Directed by Mariana Čengel Solčanská Slovakia
Coyote (Le coyote)
Directed by Katherine Jerkovic Canada
Daughter of Rage (La hija de todas las rabias)
Directed by Laura Baumeister Nicaragua
Dear Memories
Directed by Nahuel Lopez Germany
Everybody Wants to Be Loved (Alle wollen geliebt werden)
Directed by Katharina Woll Germany
Exodus
Directed by Abbe Hassan Sweden
Fathers & Mothers (Fædre og mødre)
Directed by Paprika Steen Denmark
Filip
Directed by Michał Kwiecinski Poland
The Hotel (Lu guan) Directed by Wáng Xiăoshuài Chinese Hong Kong
How is Katia? (Yak Tam Katia?) Directed by Christina Tynkevych Ukraine
I Like Movies
Directed by Chandler Levack United States
Into My Name (Nel mio nome) Directed by Nicolò Bassetti Italy
Jane Campion, The Cinema Woman (Jane Campion, la femme cinéma)
Directed by Julie Bertuccelli France
La jauría
Directed by Andrés Ramírez Pulido Colombia
Lakelands
Directed by Robert Higgins, Patrick McGivney Ireland
Leila's Brothers
Directed by Saeed Roustaee Iran
A Letter from Helga (Svar við bréfi Helgu)
Directed by Ása Helga Hjörleifsdóttir Iceland
Lyra
Directed by Alison Millar Ireland
Maestro(s)
Directed by Bruno Chiche France
A Man (Aru otoko) Directed by Kei Ishikawa Japan
Manuela
Directed by Clara Cullen United States
My Name is Happy
Directed by Nick Read, Ayse Toprak United Kingdom
The Nannies (Les femmes du square)
Directed by Julien Rambaldi France
Narcosis
Directed by Martijn de Jong Netherlands
North Circular
Directed by Luke McManus Ireland
The Other Widow (Pilegesh) Directed by Ma'ayan Rypp Israel
Pinto
Directed by Narges Abyar Iran
Red Shoes (Zapatos rojos)
Directed by Carlos Eichelmann Kaiser Mexico
Retreat (Réduit)
Directed by Leon Schwitter Switzerland
Sanaa
Directed by Sudhanshu Saria India
Savoy
Directed by Zohar Wagner Israel
Second Act (Andra akten) Directed by Mårten Klingberg Sweden
Semret
Directed by Caterina Mona Switzerland
The Sixth Child (Le sixième enfant)
Directed by Léopold Legrand France
Stay With Us (Reste un peu) Directed by Gad Elmaleh France
Stellar (Ananghoonska) Directed by Darlene Naponse Canada
Summerlight And Then Comes The Night (Sumarljós og svo kemur nóttin)
Directed by Elfar Aðalsteins Iceland
T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets Directed by Sophie Fiennes United Kingdom
The Taste of Apples is Red (Ta'am al tufah, ahmar)
Directed by Ehab Tarabieh Israel
Three Nights A Week (Trois nuits par semaine)
Directed by Florent Gouëlou France
Traces (Tragovi)
Directed by Dubravka Turić Croatia
Valeria is Getting Married (Valeria mithatenet)
Directed by Michal Vinik Israel
The Volunteer (La voluntaria) Directed by Nely Reguera Spain
Wild Flowers (Girasoles silvestres)
Directed by Jaime Rosales Spain
Woman at Sea (Grand marin) Directed by Dinara Drukarova Iceland
The Young Arsonists Directed by Sheila Pye Canada
NON PREMIERE FEATURE FILMS (listed alphabetically)
26.2 to Life
Directed by Christine Yoo United States
The 50
Directed by Brenton Gieser United States
American Dreamer Directed by Paul Dektor United States
Anxious Nation
Directed by Vanessa Roth, Laura Morton United States
The Art of Eating: The Life of M.F.K. Fisher
Directed by Gregory Mark Bezat
United States
The Baby Daddy (הקדוש והזרע ארי ) Directed by Adi Rabinovici, Yair Cymerman Israel
Butterfly in the Sky
Directed by Bradford Thomason, Brett Whitcomb United States
Category: Woman Directed by Phyllis Ellis Canada
Chile '76
Directed by Manuela Martelli Chile
Cinema Sabaya
Directed by Orit Fouks Rotem Israel
Corner Office
Directed by Joachim Back Canada
Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy
Directed by Nancy Buirski United States
The Grab
Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite United States
Gumbo Coalition
Directed by Barbara Kopple United States
The Happiest Man in the World (Najsreќniot čovek na svetot)
Directed by Teona Strugar Mitevska North Macedonia
I Like it Here
Directed by Ralph Arlyck United States
It Ain't Over
Directed by Sean Mullin
United States
Kerr
Directed by Tayfun Pirselimoğlu Turkey
Know Your Place
Directed by Zia Mohajerjasbi United States
A Little Prayer
Directed by Angus MacLachlan United States
Luxembourg, Luxembourg Directed by Antonio Lukich Ukraine
No Ordinary Campaign Directed by Christopher Burke United States
Other People's Children (Les enfants des autres)
Directed by Rebecca Zlotowski France
Our Father, the Devil (Mon père, le diable)
Directed by Ellie Foumbi United States
Patrick and the Whale Directed by Mark Fletcher Austria
The Prank
Directed by Maureen Bharoocha United States
Pray for Our Sinners Directed by Sinéad O'Shea Ireland
The Quiet Girl (An cailín ciúin) Directed by Colm Bairéad Ireland
Return to Seoul (Retour à Séoul)
Directed by Davy Chou
Cambodia
Safe Place (Sígurno mȷ́esto) Directed by Juraj Lerotić Croatia
Shot in the Arm
Directed by Scott Hamilton Kennedy United States
Snow and the Bear (Kar ve ayı)
Directed by Selcen Ergun Turkey
The Soldier's Opinion (Daato shel hahayal)
Directed by Assaf Banitt Israel
Soul of the Ocean Directed by Howard Hall United States
Starring Jerry As Himself Directed by Law Chen United States
Susie Searches
Directed by Sophie Kargman United States
Viking
Directed by Stéphane Lafleur Canada
We Are Still Here
Directed by Beck Cole, Dena Curtis, Tracey Rigney, Danielle MacLean, Tim Worrall, Renae Maihi, Miki Magasiva, Mario Gaoa, Richard Curtis, Chantelle Burgoyne
Australia
Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer Directed by Thomas von Steinaecker Germany
Who Are the Marcuses? Directed by Matthew Mishory Israel
2023 SBIFF SHORT FILMS - (listed alphabetically)
22 WORLD PREMIERES AND 25 U.S. PREMIERES
À la vie à l'amor
Directed by Emilie Mannering US Premiere
Canada
All-inclusive (Todo incluido) Directed by Duván Duque Vargas US Premiere
Colombia
Apayauq
Directed by Zeppelin Zeerip World Premiere
United States
Are You Awake? Directed by Gabriel Caste World Premiere
United States
Barefoot Empress Directed by Vikas Khanna India
Becoming Yamazushi Directed by G Yamazawa United States
Big Water Summer: A Creation Story
Directed by Sophie Harris United States
Bourn Kind
Directed by Rachel Myers United States
Broken
Directed by Farzaneh Omidvarnia World Premiere
Iran
Cara Romero: Following the Light
Directed by Kaela Waldstein United States
Christopher at Sea
Directed by Tom CJ Brown France
Daisy
Directed by Torbjörn Edwall US Premiere
Sweden
Earthbound: Nzambi Matee Directed by Farhoud Meybodi World Premiere
Japan
Echo
Directed by Ben Wolin, Michael Minahan World Premiere
United States
Epicenter (소문의 진원지 ) Directed by Heeyoon Hahm US Premiere
South Korea
Everything At Once (Alt på en gang)
Directed by Henrik Dyb Zwart US Premiere
Norway
Falling Forward into an Unknown and Dangerous Future
Directed by Mike Ambs World Premiere
United States
The Fear Cycle
Directed by Dexter Brierley, Matt Seger World Premiere
United States
Followers
Directed by Julia Bales World Premiere
United States
The Golden Cage
Directed by Francisco Lopez, Mitchka Saberi World Premiere
United States
Here to Stay
Directed by Jared Peraglia United States
I have no tears, and I must cry (Sin lágrimas para llorar)
Directed by Luis Fernando Puente United States
ifine
Directed by Adisa Septuri, Ebony Gilbert World Premiere
United States
III
Directed by Salomé Villeneuve US Premiere
Canada
It's Nice in Here
Directed by Robert-Jonathan Koeyers US Premiere
Netherlands
Ivalu
Directed by Anders Walter US Premiere
Denmark
John Leguizamo Live at Rikers Directed by Elena Francesca Engel United States
Junglefowl
Directed by Kalainithan Kalaichelvan World Premiere
Canada
Lamara
Directed by Bo Yoon Ha Uganda
Lamb
Directed by Sinéad O'Loughlin Ireland
Last Weekend with Jenny and John (Sista helgen med Jenny och John)
Directed by Jimmy Olsson US Premiere
Sweden
Locals Only: The Big Little Pub
Directed by Gareth Kelly World Premiere
United States
The Moisture (Rutubet) Directed by Turan Haste US Premiere
Turkey
Money and Happiness
Directed by Ana Nedeljković, Nikola Majdak US Premiere
Serbia
More Than Hair (Plus que des cheveux)
Directed by Fitch Jean Canada
Mud Crab
Directed by David Robinson-Smith US Premiere
Australia
Night Cafe
Directed by Joshua Nowak World Premiere
United States
Nowhere to go but everywhere (行き止まりのむこう側 )
Directed by Masako Tsumura, Erik Shirai US Premiere
Japan
Oskar
Directed by Max Vannienschoot US Premiere
Canada
Pillow Fortress Directed by Zander Coté US Premiere
United States
Please Hold the Line (Qing bie gua duan)
Directed by Tan Ce Ding
US Premiere Malaysia
Range Rider
Directed by Colin Arisman World Premiere
United States
The Red Suitcase (La valise rouge) Directed by Cyrus Neshvad Luxembourg
Regular Rabbit Directed by Eoin Duffy Ireland
Rejoice in the Lamb
Directed by Courtney Bush, Will Carington, and Jake Goicoechea World Premiere
United States
)מותו של לוויתן( Whale a for Requiem
Directed by Ido Weisman Israel
Run
Directed by Alex Prager World Premiere
United States
See You In My Dreams (Rencontres nocturnes silencieuses)
Directed by Ariane Louis-Seize US Premiere
Canada
Shirampari: Legacies of the River (Shirampari, herencias del río)
Directed by Lucía Flórez Peru
Snow in September
Directed by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir France
The Soft Skinned
Directed by Nicky Tyndale-Biscoe US Premiere
Australia
Starving
Directed by Bobby Louise, Brig World Premiere
United States
The Tadpole Trilogy (La trilogie des têtards)
Directed by Léonard Giovenazzo US Premiere
Canada
Take Me Home Directed by Liz Sargent United States
Telos
Directed by Jesse Hovey World Premiere
United States
This is Not a House Directed by Morgan Neville World Premiere
United States
This Will Not Be a Festival Film (To nie będzie film festiwalowy)
Directed by Julia Orlik US Premiere
Poland
Three Grains of Salt (Trois grains de gros sel)
Directed by Ingrid Chikhaoui US Premiere
France
Thursday (Czwartek) Directed by Bren Cukier World Premiere
Poland
Tommies
Directed by Brian Fairbairn, Karl Eccleston US Premiere
United Kingdom
Troy
Directed by Mike Donahue United States
Trundle and the Lost Borscht of Atlantis
Directed by Laura Lee World Premiere United States
Two Chairs, Not One Directed by Austin Kolodney United States
The Vacation
Directed by Jarreau Carrillo United States
Voces de Old Town Carpinteria
Directed by Brent Winebrenner, Leslie A. Westbrook, Suzanne Requejo World Premiere
United States
Waves Apart
Directed by Josh Greene World Premiere
United States
Whale-Roads
Directed by Michael Lee, Ethan Takekawa, Meg Kievman, Emma Holm-Olsen World Premiere
United States
Whiteness at Work
Directed by Peter Bonde Becker Nelson World Premiere
United States
Will You Look At Me (Dang wo wang xiang ni de shi hou)
Directed by Shuli Huang China
You'll Be Happier
Directed by Daniel Lombroso United States
ABOUT THE SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and educational organization dedicated to discovering and showcasing the best in independent and international cinema. Over the past 38 years, SBIFF has become one of the leading film festivals in the United States – attracting 100,000 attendees and offering 11 days of 200+ films, tributes, and symposiums, fulfilling their mission to engage, enrich, and inspire the Santa Barbara community through film.
Sponsors of the 38th SBIFF include: Manitou Fund, City of Santa Barbara, Kaleidoscope Productions, Montecito Bank & Trust, ADLSanta Barbara/Tri-Counties, Union Bank, Patagonia, Panavision, Montecito Med Spa, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, Boxed Water is Better, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Toad&Co, Topa Topa Brewing Company, NEFT Vodka, Vega Coffee, Saige Private Wealth,Bentson Foundation, John C. Mithun Foundation, Volentine Family Foundation, California Arts Council, and many more supporting through trade.
SBIFF continues its commitment to education and the community throughout many free educational programs and events. In 2016, SBIFF entered a new era with the acquisition of the historic and beloved Riviera Theatre. After a capital campaign andrenovation, the theatre is now SBIFF’s new state-of-the-art, year-round home, showing new international and independent filmsevery day. In 2019, SBIFF opened its own Education Center in downtown Santa Barbara on State Street to serve as a home for its many educational programs and a place for creativity and learning.
