Director/Producer Jay Silverman’s second feature film, the indie, romantic comedy Off the Menu made its World Premiere during the 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Silverman’s first feature was the drama, Girl on the Edge, the Audience Award winner at the 2015 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival. Silverman also executive produced and co-created the A&E TV series “The Cleaner” starring Benjamin Bratt.
Off the Menu is a sweet story about family, food and love. Young, fast-food business heir, Joel, portrayed by Santino Fontana (Frozen, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Sisters), is out on the road looking for new menu items for his family’s giant chain of Tortilla Hut restaurants when he meets and falls for a regional chef, Javiera Torres, portrayed by Dania Ramirez, an actress whose star is on a steep trajectory. Not only is Ramirez easy on the eyes, she’s also capable of delivering some serious, dramatic acting chops.
Legendary Latin actress, singer and political activist, Maria Alonso Conchita, is stunning as Javiera’s, vibrant, “tell it like she sees it,” mother. Mackenzie Moss portrays Javiera’s daughter, Sophia, possessing a quick wit with timely comedic delivery. Interestingly, over half the Off The Menu cast is female and Hispanic as the filmmakers wanted to create a more inclusive experience while projecting a regional authenticity.
Off the Menu opens with a catchy non-diagetic tune, the “chile song” (included in a teaser clip at the end of this review) coupled with beautiful shots of harvesting chiles and foodie close-ups of freshly picked chiles and a skillet of multi-colored peppers. Both soundtrack and cinematography are emotionally compelling here.
The film shifts quickly with a parallel story line of Joel as a fish out of water hiding his girlfriend’s coffee maker, drinking blender-made, green smoothies and going to work on his bicycle and in cycling shorts and the passionate chef, Javiera, working magic in her kitchen. Javiera is a real home girl in a predominantly brown community and an infamous, regional chef with a wee bit of attitude. She utilizes a farm-to-table approach in making her signature dish featuring her home-grown green chiles from a secret family grow patch – a far cry from the food scientists who are responsible for creating Joel’s Tortilla Hut products. Hysterically, Javiera only makes her coveted dish once a week – temperament permitting!
The character of Joel, on the other hand, initially reminded me of the late Chris Farley’s lead character in Tommy Boy. Joel’s character arc, however, evolves once he gets to where the film is set, a small fictitious, New Mexico town, Villanueva. Villanueva is a stand in for Taos, New Mexico. As his character evolves, so does Fontana’s performance.
Throughout the film, Joel gets a few needed come-to-Jesus moments with his boss/sister, a domineering Tortilla Hut corporate executive leader. First, Joel is given marching orders to scout the Southwest for new recipes and, in particular, New Mexican cuisine. Later, Joel calls out his sister for poaching Javiera’s signature dish. Seemingly, the company’s research and development plan is to find authentic recipes and dishes throughout the United States and then mass produce them in a cost-effective manner sacrificing quality for quantity.
Ultimately, Joel realizes his family business is more about profit than creating any sense of community or personal fulfillment. And, unsurprisingly, once he gets a taste of Javiera’s home cooking, Joel feels the love and becomes smitten with Javiera….and the feeling is mutual.
Strong cinematography from Matt Edwards, some delicious mise-en-scene, on-the-mark costuming, a complementary soundtrack and solid acting performances wrapped in a traditional, Hollywood-narrative structure make Off The Menu….on the list of films to see on this Valentine’s Day. Highly recommended.
The 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), sponsored by @UGG will long be remembered. After the tragic Montecito mudslide and the impact on the Greater Santa Barbara Community from the Thomas Fire, the largest wildfire in the recorded history of California, doubts abounded as to whether the 2018 festival would take place.
Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) Executive Director, Roger Durling, right, and SBIFF Board President, Lynda Weinman, speaking to television field reporter, Alys Martinez, on the SBIFF Closing Night red carpet, February 10th, 2018, at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Fortunately for the Santa Barbara community, SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling never had any doubts. Durling’s belief in the power of film to unify held true. Crowds lined the sidewalks outside the screening venues in downtown Santa Barbara. Cafes and restaurants were brimming with festival-goers, between films, clammering for a cup of coffee and a sweet or two. And inside, theatre seats and space in the multi-use venues were at a premium. Each day a local non-profit organization was highlighted by the SBIFF staff before each event.
Actor/Director Emilio Estevez on the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Opening Night red carpet, January 31st, 2018, at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif.. Estevez’ film, ‘the public’ was tabbed as the festival’s Opening Night film. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
With the Opening Night Film, ‘the public,’ a tension-filled drama with several moments of comic relief, from Director/Actor Emilio Estevez, the festival was up and off to a fast start. Over the course of the next ten days more than 200 films from around the globe flashed and flickered across screens at the historic Arlington Theatre, The Lobero (California’s oldest, continuously operating theatre), the Metro 4, and the Fiesta 5 culminating in a Closing Night Film Program of Santa Barbara Documentary Shorts.
SANTA BARBARA, CA – FEBRUARY 03: Moderator Glenn Whipp, producers Graham Broadbent, Lisa Bruce, J. Miles Dale, Daniel Lupi, Sean McKittrick, Evelyn ONeill, Peter Spears and Emma Thomas speak at The Producers Panel during The 33rd Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Lobero Theatre on February 3, 2018 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for SBIFF)
SANTA BARBARA, CA – FEBRUARY 03: Writerss Edgar Wright, Michael H. Weber, Liz Hannah, SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling, Emily V. Gordon, Vanessa Taylor, Virgil Williams and Adrian Molina at The Writers Panel during The 33rd Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Lobero Theatre on February 3, 2018 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SBIFF)
In addition, eleven Tributes and Panels were conducted including the wildly popular Writer’s Panel and the informative Producers Panel. Personally, I covered the American Riviera Award, the Cinema Vanguard Award, the Maltin Modern Master Award, the Outstanding Directors Award, Outstanding Performers of the Year Award, the Santa Barbara Award and the Virtuosos Award. Due to its ability to attract top talent and performers for its Tributes and Panels, SBIFF has become the place to be and be seen for the The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Oscar Competition. And, more importantly, in my opinion, is the insight gained from hearing top industry professionals share their experience.
The Santa Barbara International Documentary Filmmaking Panel from left to right; Producer, Alfonso Guerrero (GET THE WEED), Director, Denny Brechner (GET THE WEED), Director Thomas Morgan (SOUFRA), Director Kum-Kum Bhavnani (WE ARE GALAPAGOS), Director Aube Giroux, (MODIFIED), Director Chris Morgan (BEARTREK), Director Adam Weingrod (THE ISLAND) and Moderator Michael Albright. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Moreover, for the Greater Santa Barbara Community, SBIFF has also become an inclusive influence in a community known for its lengthy assimilation for non-Santa Barbarans. Monday through Friday, an open-to-the-public filmmaking series is offered featuring filmmakers who are screening their respective films at the festival. SBIFF’s Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies, celebrating the life of Mike Degruy, offered a free kids film, Coco, at the Arlington with free popcorn and drinks distributed to kids and their parents. I made the Saturday morning screening. The Arlington was filled, including the balcony, with families utilizing available spaces to experience the film together. Additional free film screenings open to the public included Icarus, Despicable Me 3, City Lights, The Boss Baby, the 10-10-10 Student Competition films, and The Youth CineMedia short films. Youth CineMedia is a local Santa Barbara non-profit that teaches documentary filmmaking, focusing on issues of social justice, the environment and cultural issues. to diverse children from rural and urban communities.
The 2018 10-10-10 Student Screenwriting and Filmmaking Mentorship and Competition participants at the Hotel California Alhambra Ballroom, January 30th, 2018, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Photo by Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
The 12th year of The 10-10-10 Student Screenwriting and Filmmaking Mentorship and Competition saw all its teams deliver films in spite of the formidable challenges imposed by the Thomas Fire and the tragic Montecito mudslide. And, the Film Studies Program, “a three-day symposium open to all undergraduate students from around the United States. The program emphasizes film appreciation, criticism, and analysis. Lead by SBIFF sanctioned film educators…,” sponsored by SBIFF Board President, Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin, completed its second year.
Uruguayan film, Get the Weed, makes it US Premiere at the 33rd Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) , sponsored by @UGG. Pictured from left to right; Get the Weed Lead Actress Talma Friedler, SBIFF Programming Director Michael Albright, and Get the Weed Director Denny Brechner. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Forty-six and fifty-four are the number of films filmmakers chose to make their World Premieres and US Premieres, respectively, at SBIFF. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see all the films – a common lament at every film festival. Some of my favorites, however, were The Secret Ingredient, ‘the public,’Off the Menu, The White Orchid, Grace and Splendor (Donaire y esplendor), Catch the Wind, Get the Weed, Tulipani: Love, Honour and a Bicycle, A Sniper’s War, Soviet Hippies, Before I Forget and the Closing Night Film Program of Santa Barbara Documentary Shorts. Other films receiving film-goer buzz were Husbands and Wives, The Unseen, In Love and In Hate (Los que aman, odian), Racer and the Jailbird, The Third Murder, The Insult, and Back to Burgundy.
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival hosted its Award Breakfast to honor filmmakers at the Fess Parker Double Tree Resort’s Rodney Grill in Santa Barbara, Calif., February 10th, 2018. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Several competition categories garnered awards for films and filmmakers announced over an SBIFF Awards Breakfast to honor the filmmakers’ work with Skid Row Marathon taking home the Audience Choice Award winner.
Besides being an exceptional community festival, Santa Barbara is an international film festival quickly being recognized as an ideal international, premiering festival venue with its diverse sidebar categories, along with strong documentary and international competitions. If you haven’t been to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival yet, you’ll have to wait until next year. So, start making your plans now. and, if next year’s festival is even close to this year’s, you’ll be glad you did!
And, based on my experience, it will be…..
Roger Durling, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) poses with actor Sam Rockwell, the recipient of the SBIFF American Riviera Award, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Director Simon Hunter, left, and Mark Stothert, right, from EDIE on the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Santiago Garcia, Cinematographer of A SNIPER’S WAR, walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Director and cast from ONE LAST NIGHT on the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Matt DeMarco, Executive Producer of ONE LAST NIGHT, walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Brian Baumgartner from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Luke Brandon Field and Rachele Schank from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Rachele Schank from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Anthony Sabet, Director of ONE LAST NIGHT, on the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Olya Schechter, Director of A SNIPER’S WAR, walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Ali Cobrin from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Ali Cobrin from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Ali Cobrin from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
All five 2018 Oscar nominated directors were honored, February 6th, 2018, during the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Outstanding Director Tribute. The evening was moderated by The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg. Pictured from left to right; Jordan Peele (GET OUT!), Great Gerwig (LADYBIRD), Paul Thomas Anderson (PHANTOM THREAD), Christopher Nolan (DUNKIRK), and Guillermo del Toro (THE SHAPE OF WATER). (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
SOUFRA Director, Thomas Morgan, addresses the audience during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Documentary Filmmkaing Seminar, February 6th, 2018, in the Santa Ynez Valley Lounge. (Photo Credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
MODIFIED Director, Aube Giroux, addresses the audience during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Documentary Filmmkaing Seminar, February 6th, 2018, in the Santa Ynez Valley Lounge. (Photo Credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
WE ARE GALAPAGOS Director, Kum-Kum Bavnani, addresses the audience during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Documentary Filmmkaing Seminar, February 6th, 2018, in the Santa Ynez Valley Lounge. (Photo Credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
BEARTREK Director, Chris Morgan, addresses the audience during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Documentary Filmmkaing Seminar, February 6th, 2018, in the Santa Ynez Valley Lounge. (Photo Credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
SANTA BARBARA, CA – FEBRUARY 03: Actor Timothee Chalamet at the Virtuosos Award Presented By UGG during The 33rd Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on February 3, 2018 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Alison Buck/Getty Images for SBIFF)
SANTA BARBARA, CA – FEBRUARY 03: Lisa Loiacono and actor Christopher Lloyd at the Virtuosos Award Presented By UGG during The 33rd Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on February 3, 2018 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Alison Buck/Getty Images for SBIFF)SANTA BARBARA, CA – FEBRUARY 03: Actor Daniel Kaluuya at the Virtuosos Award Presented By UGG during The 33rd Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on February 3, 2018 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SBIFF)Actor John Boyega on the red carpet at the historic Arlington Theatre, February 3, 2018. Boyega was being honored as a Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuoso for his work on the film, Detroit. (Photo by Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)Local actor of Back to the Future fame, Christopher Lloyd walks the red carpet at the historic Arlington Theatre on February 3, 2018. (Photo by Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)Emily Gordon, left, and Khumail Nanjiani on the red carpet at the historic Arlington Theatre February 3, 2018. Nanjiani was being honored as a Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuoso for his work on the film, The Big Sick. (Photo by Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)Mary J. Blige on the red carpet at the historic Arlington Theatre February 3, 2018. Blige was being honored as a Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuosos for her work on the film, Mudbound. (Photo by Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Until next year…I’ll see you at the movies!
*Featured photo – The Out of the Ashes Producing Team. Pictured from left to right; Habib Habibi, Rose Ettleson, Kevin Willefert, Hallie Brown and Zac Main on the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Closing Night Red Carpet, February 10th, 2018 at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
The 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) sponsored by @UGG closed with a cornucopia of home-grown, documentary short films at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. SBIFF Executive Director welcomed the audience and thanked the SBIFF Board, the festival sponsors and the many volunteers that make the festival possible each year. Without further adieu, Mr. Durling brought out a large volunteer group to join him onstage then proceeded to turn the microphone and stage over to SBIFF Programming Director Michael Albright and Festival Senior Programmer Mickey Duzdevich. Albright and Duzdevich briefed the audience on the evening’s lineup of films and introduced the respective filmmakers allowing each filmmaker to say a few words about their respective film. The 2018 SBIFF Closing Night Program consisted of six films, each briefly reviewed below; A Summer Solstice in Santa Barbara, Cascaron, Soul of the City, The Tipping Point, Out of the Ashes, and Crossing the Channel.
The troupe from A Summer Solstice in Santa Barbara poses on the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Closing Night red carpet, February 10th, 2018 at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Justin Gunn’s A Summer Solstice in Santa Barbara, with a run-time of ten minutes, led off the line-up with an insider’s view, utilizing a rich, colorful mise-en-scene of the Santa Barbara, Mardi Gras-style, summertime Summer Solstice Parade held annually on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Gunn provides an in-depth look at the costuming and float building with still photographs and voice-over narration. Several brief interviews with Santa Barbara locals Hathor Hammett, Nicky LaFleur, Robin Elander, Britt Nelson and Jim Sun Bear combined with archival footage of previous Solstice celebrations added special significance to Gunn’s work. Warmly recommended.
Cascaron Director, Chris Price, second from left, with Co-Director and Writer, CaseyMcGarry, on the Santa Barbara International Film festival red carpet with friends before the screening of the Closing Night Program, February 10th, 2018 at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Photo Credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Chris Price and Casey McGarry’s Cascaron exposed the origins of the cascarones, the confetti-filled egg shells, so popular in the Santa Barbara community during Fiesta celebrations. Originally, the eggs were filled with perfume at dinner parties in the late 1800’s and provided “the great amusement of the evening when breaking them over the evening’s guets’ heads.” Moreover, Cascaron accentuates Santa Barbara’s Hispanic, traditional culture with an exquisite, behind-the-scenes look at the lifestyle of the Las hueveras, “the Egg Ladies,” and their role as keepers of the Fiesta tradition. Direct interviews, still photography and Fiesta archival footage are effectively used in the film’s narrative along with English sub-titles when needed. Highly Recommended.
Soul of the City Director, John Klein, takes a moment on the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Closing Night red carpet with KCOY Central Coast News, February 10th, 2018 at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
John Klein’s poignant Soul of the City focused on Francisco Aguilera, purveyor of the Cabrillo Pavillion Bathhouse East Beach Grill. Klein uses a point-of-view direct interviewing technique with Aguilera, a part of the East Beach Grill for 32 years and provides a well-researched background of the Cabrillo Pavillion with archival photographs, textual over-lays and voice-over-narration. Minor editing skips do detract from the film’s overall quality. Significant attention to Aguilera’s commitment to the community is provided with archival footage of a Santa Barbara City Council meeting on September 13, 2016 along with several interviews from local event leaders Aguilera has generously supported throughout the years. At issue in Soul of the City was Aguilera’s livelihood and the continued operation of the East Beach Grill. Warmly Recommended.
The Tipping Point Director, Danielle Cohen, right, on the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Closing Night red carpet. February 10th, 2018 at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara,
Danielle Cohen’s The Tipping Point discusses an uproar emanating from local leaders and scientists on the role of science in the Trump Administration and the potential long-term effect of slashing science research funding. Utilizing archival news reports. Archival footage of Nineteenth Senate District, California State Senator, Hannah Beth Jackson delivering an impassioned speech is one of the film’s highlights. Moreover, with several interviews from the Long Term Ecological Research knowledge network a paradigm is highlighted in research sharing within the scientific community. Warmly Recommended.
The Out of the Ashes Producing Team from left to right; Habib Habibi, Rose Ettleson, Kevin Willefert, Hallie Brown and Zac Main on the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Closing Night Red Carpet, February 10th, 2018 at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Hallie Brown’s Out of the Ashes, a Blue Horizon film, peers into Wild-land Urban Interface through the ashes of the July 2017 Whittier Fire in the Santa Ynez Mountains along Highway 154 in Santa Barbara County. Brown’s film, a graduate project via the University of California-Santa Barbara’s Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, uncovers the importance of defensible space in planning new construction while illuminating a sense of community at the Cold Springs Tavern in the affected area of the Whittier Fire. The filmmakers effectively utilize still photography, archival news footage and direct interviews. Diagetic music and footage from the Cold Springs Tavern are effectively woven into a timely and highly watchable story line. Highly recommended.
Open-water marathon swimmer, Rachel Horn, speaks with KEYT, Channel 3 reporter on the Santa Barbara International Film Festival Closing Night res carpet, February 10th, 2018 at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. Horn is featured in Ryan Slattery’s documentary short film, Crossing the Channel. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Ryan Slattery’s Crossing the Channel provided an inspirational ending to the festival with the story of Rachel Horn’s 12.4 mile open-water, marathon swim across the Santa Barbara Channel – starting off Anacapa Island and finishing on the beachfront in Oxnard, California. Slattery utilizes point-of-view, first-person interviews, archival photographs and real-time footage of the swim while dividing the film into three distinct parts after a brief introduction; The Team, The Rules, and The Swim. Warmly Recommended.
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival Closing Night Marquee, February 10th, 2018 at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
The 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival Closing Night Film Program was sponsored by Winchester Mystery House.
The 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced its award-winning films over breakfast this morning at the Fess Parker Double Tree Resort’s Rodney Grill. In addition, volunteer recognition was made.
Skid Row Marathon was the Audience Choice Award winner. Other winners included:
Best Documentary Short Film Award: Kyle Morrison’s MOTT HAVEN Bruce Corwin Award – Best Live Action Short Film: Richard Van’s AUDITION Bruce Corwin Award – Best Animated Short Film: Randall Christopher’s THE DRIVER IS RED Best Documentary Award: Grant Korgan and Geoff Callan’s THE PUSH Jeffrey C. Barbakow Award – Best International Feature Film: Gjorce Stavreski’s SECRET INGREDIENT (Iscelitel) Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema: Molly McGlynn’s MARY GOES ROUND Nueva Vision Award for Spain/Latin America Cinema: Pablo Solarz’s THE LAST SUIT (El último traje) Special Mention: Denny Brechner, Alfonso Guerrero and Marcos Hecht’s GET THE WEED (Misión no oficial) Valhalla Award for Best Nordic Film: Antti-Jussi Annila’s THE ETERNAL ROAD (Ikitie) ADL Stand Up Award: Talya Tibbon and Joshua Bennett’s SKY AND GROUND Social Justice Award for Documentary Film: Ludovic Bonleux’s GUERRERO
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 32 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 33rd SBIFF include: UGG®, Belvedere Vodka, Toyota Mirai, City of Santa Barbara, Amazon Studios, Dom Pérignon, ADL, Montecito Bank & Trust, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, IMDBpro, Santa Barbara Foundation, Union Bank, Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation, Patagonia, Winchester Mystery House, Pacific Standard, Riordan Foundation, Lynda Weinman & Bruce Heavin, Volentine Family Foundation, and many more supporting through trade.
SBIFF continues its commitment to education and the community through free programs like its 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies, National Film Studies Program, AppleBox Family Films, 3rd Weekend and educational seminars. In June of 2016, SBIFF entered a new era with the acquisition of the historic and beloved Riviera Theatre. The theatre is SBIFF’s new home and is the catalyst for program expansion and marks the first time that Santa Barbara has had a 24/7 community center to expand their mission of educational outreach.
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) sponsored by @UGG announced the winners of its annual 10-10-10 (Ten Directors – Ten Writers – Ten Films) Screenwriting and Filmmaking Competition. For the last five months students were paired with mentors from the filmmaking industry and professions culminating in professional-quality produced short films.
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Education Director, Amanda Graves, addresses the audience at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif., Saturday, February 10th, 2018 before the film screenings of the 2018 10-10-10 Screenwriting and Filmmaking Competition. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
SBIFF Educational Director, Amanda Graves, poignantly stated, “Even with the fires, the evacuations and the mudslide all teams delivered films.” Graves read off all participants including cast and crew members by name including founders the 10-10-10 Competition Co-Founders, Guy Smith and Michael Stinson and thanked Mary Beth Riordan for sponsoring the competition every year since its inception.
Winners of the 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival 10-10-10 Screenwriting and Filmmaking Competition from right to left: Jack Lent, College Screenwriting; Josh Bevan, College Filmmaking; Sponsor, Mary Beth Riordan; High School Filmmaking, Camila Lemere; and, High School Filmmaking, Josh Bevin. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
This year’s Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Closing Night Film will highlight a diverse and impressive line-up of documentary shorts – each making their World Premiere at the Arlington Theatre on Saturday, February 10th at 8:00pm. The lineup features local Santa Barbara filmmakers: Chris Price and Casey McGarry’s CASCARÓN, Ryan Slattery’s CROSSING THE CHANNEL, Hallie Brown’s OUT OF THE ASHES, Justin Gunn’s A SOLSTICE IN SANTA BARBARA, John Klein’s SOUL OF THE CITY, and Danielle Cohen’s THE TIPPING POINT.
The selection of films represents the beauty, warmth and vitality that are quintessential Santa Barbara. The films cover a wide range of local events, people, and places, including Fiesta, the Summer Solstice Parade, the East Beach Grill, and Cold Springs Tavern, as well as local activism to combat climate change and an extraordinary swimmer who crosses the Santa Barbara Channel.
Everyone is encouraged everyone to attend this very special evening to gather together and celebrate local filmmakers and the wonderful community of Santa Barbara.
Special thanks to Closing Night Film sponsor Winchester Mystery House for supporting this evening for the 2nd year in a row.
Last night at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. Alison Janney and Margot Robbie electrified the audience at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s (SBIFF) Outstanding Performers of the Year Tribute. Both Janney and Robbie are nominated for Oscars for their work in the film, I, Tonya. Janney is up for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, while Robbie is up for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role. The evening was sponsored by Belevedere Vodka and was moderated by The Hollywood Reporter Award Columnist, Scott Feinberg.
SBIFF Executive Director, Roger Durling, made introductory remarks thanking the SBIFF Board, Board President Lynda Weinman, and the 700 volunteers who make the festival possible each year. And without further adieu, Mr. Durling turned the evening over to Feinberg, his tenth consecutive year participating in the festival.
Feinberg in his trademark, affable form introduced each actress’s work with a montage of images set to music. A warm Santa Barbara welcome was given and the evening’s main event transpired.
Interestingly, Janney’s father managed an ice rink in Ohio, providing Janney untethered access to skating time. While admitting she was proficient in both ballet and modern dance, Janney jabbed she could not complete the triple axle jump that Robbie did in the film. Janney attended Kenyon College where she was bitten by the acting bug. Fortuitously, she met Joanne Woodward and shared an interesting interaction she had with Paul Newman regarding her experience driving a Volkswagon Scirocco.
Meanwhile, Robbie was on the Gold Coast of Australia working as a “sandwich artist” at a local Subway shop while holding a position at a retail surf shop. A call from a talent agent led to her auditioning for a recurring role in “Neighbors,” a popular daytime television series in her hometown of Melbourne.
From these somewhat humble and inauspicious beginnings, two wildly different and highly successful careers were launched. Janney went on to win six Emmy’s and recently won a Golden Globe for her role as LaVona Golden, Tonya Harding’s mother, in I, Tonya. Robbie, on the hand, left Melbourne to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood. After her initial audition for “Charlie’s Angels Reboot,” fizzled, Robbie scored a coveted spot on the critically-acclaimed though short-lived “Pan-Am,” television series.
As fate would have it, Robbie managed to parlay her early experiences into a reel that first caught the eye of Wolf of Wall Street Casting Director, Ellen Lewis, and then the eye of Director Martin Scorsese for the role of the sexiest blonde on the planet. Robbie got the role. She proceeded to have a similar “hottest blonde” cameo appearance in Adam McKay’s The Big Short. Not wanting to be typecast, Robbie and a few friends started a production company, LuckyChap Entertainment from which I, Tonya is released.
Dreams really do come true.
The 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival Outstanding Performers of the Year, Allison Janney and Margot Robbie with award presenter and I, Tanya Director, Craig Gillespie .(Pictured from right to left; Margot Robbie, Craig Gillespie and Allison Janney. Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Critics’ Choice Award winners Allison Janney and Margot Robbie will be honored with the 2018 Outstanding Performers of the Year Award, presented by Belvedere® Vodka, for their remarkable performances in I, Tonya. Both actresses have also received nominations at the BAFTAs and SAG Awards for their respective roles, and Allison Janney was awarded with the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. The tribute, which will take place at Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre, tonight, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, will be moderated by Scott Feinberg, Awards Columnist for The Hollywood Reporter.
“Allison and Margot bring biting humor and an emotional resonance to their real-life characters in I, Tonya,” stated SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling. “We are proud to celebrate them and their incredible contributions to cinema.”
Janney and Robbie will join a recognized group of previous Outstanding Performer Award recipients, including Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan, Steve Carell, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Viola Davis, Colin Firth, Penelope Cruz, Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Heath Ledger, Kate Winslet, and Charlize Theron.
Ali Cobrin from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Ali Cobrin from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Olya Schechter, Director of A SNIPER’S WAR, walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Ali Cobrin from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Luke Brandon Field and Rachele Schank from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Rachele Schank from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Anthony Sabet, Director of ONE LAST NIGHT, on the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Director and cast from ONE LAST NIGHT on the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Matt DeMarco, Executive Producer of ONE LAST NIGHT, walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Brian Baumgartner from ONE LAST NIGHT walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Roger Durling, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) poses with actor Sam Rockwell, the recipient of the SBIFF American Riviera Award, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Director Simon Hunter, left, and Mark Stothert, right, from EDIE on the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Santiago Garcia, Cinematographer of A SNIPER’S WAR, walks the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
A moment on the red carpet at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Tribute honoring actor Sam Rockwell, February 7th, 2017. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
It was a nice evening on the red carpet last night at the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival presented by UGG. Actors and filmmakers walked the carpet before SBIFF honored Sam Rockwell with its 2018 American Riviera Award. The Riviera Award is presented to recognize actors who have made a significant contribution to American Cinema. Rockwell was fêted with a Tribute celebrating his remarkable performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
While Rockwell is known for creating memorable and iconic character actors, his craft is evolving evidenced by the complexity of his recent work as Officer Dixon in Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. For his role, Rockwell has garnered a Golden Globe, a SAG Award and is a leading contender for this year’s Oscar from the Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role category.
Left, actor Sam Rockwell, ad libs a response to Krista Smith, right, Vanity Fair’s West Coast Editor, question for at the 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Award at the historic Arlington in Santa Barbara, Calif., presented by UGG. (Photo Credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
For the first time ever at SBIFF Vanity Fair West Coast Editor, Krista Smith, moderated. Smith was introduced by SBIFF Board President Lynda Weinman and Smith wasted little time getting to the goods opening her SBIFF moderating debut with a montage of Rockwell’s work set to a rock-n-roll classic tune from Queen, “Don’t Stop Me Now.” We were having a good time as Smith playfully led Rockwell down memory lane to his first acting experiences at the age of ten with his actress mother and up to his present roles. To his credit Mr. Rockwell has been in over 60 films to date and shows little sign of slowing down. Rockwell friend, and fellow actor, Clark Gregg, presented the 2018 SBIFF American Riviera Award.
Vanity Fair West Coast Editor, Krista Smith, left, the 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s American Riviera Award recipient, Sam Rockwell, center, and actor Clark Gregg, right, on stage at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif., February 7th, 2018. (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
The 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) packed the house and stacked the deck last night at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, Calif. with all five 2018 Best Director Oscar nominees in what might have been the only time all five have gathered in the same place at the same time.
All five 2018 Oscar nominated directors were honored, February 6th, 2018, during the 33rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Outstanding Director Tribute, at the historic Arlington Thetare. The evening was moderated by The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg. Pictured from left to right; Jordan Peele (GET OUT!), Greta Gerwig (LADYBIRD), Paul Thomas Anderson (PHANTOM THREAD), Christopher Nolan (DUNKIRK), and Guillermo del Toro (THE SHAPE OF WATER). (Photo credit: Larry Gleeson/HollywoodGlee)
Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig, Guillermo del Toro, Jordan Peele, and Paul Thomas Anderson all received the 2018 Outstanding Directors of the Year Award sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter for their films Dunkirk, Lady Bird, The Shape of Water, Get Out, and Phantom Thread, respectively. Gerwig is only the fifth woman to be nominated for a Best Director Oscar since the Oscar’s inception in1929.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Award Columnist Scott Feinberg moderated the evening. Feinberg introduced each director with a film clip from his/her nominated work. Each director shared his/her motivation in making their films then took turns praising one another’s work. The evening never got old and the audience never tired. In closing, SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling, shared his personal connection with each director’s film, the specialness of the evening and his overwhelming feelings of gratitude.
