Experience Santa Barbara’s red carpet at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), Feb. 4-15, 2025, when Oscar contenders and the industry’s best gather for 12 days of film screenings, celebrity tribute events, panel discussions and after-parties.
Often called the original “Hollywood,” Santa Barbara was home to California’s first major movie studio, the American Film Manufacturing Co., aka “Flying A” studios which produced nearly a thousand silent films starting in 1910. Since then, Santa Barbara has been the location for many movie and TV productions and cinematic events. SBIFF is a world-renowned festival paying homage to Santa Barbara’s rich history of film production, attracting award-winning filmmakers, actors, students and devoted moviegoers.
SBIFF EVENT LOCATIONS
Santa Barbara International Film Festival utilizes all Santa Barbara cinema has to offer with events and film screenings held around town and in historic and architecturally beautiful theaters, including The Arlington Theater, Lobero Theatre and the beloved Riviera Theatre, to name a few. To learn more about Santa Barbara’s movie magic, explore Santa Barbara’s historic theaters here.
HOW TO GET TICKETS TO SBIFF
SBIFF is a pass-based festival, offering three levels of passes that grant priority admission to films and/or events. Whether you are a film buff who wants to binge on films from around the world, you’re mainly interested in the glitz and glamor, or you want to soak it all in, the SBIFF ticketing system allows you to choose events a la carte, buy packaged bundles or invest in an all-inclusive pass. For those interested in attending a specific event, individual tickets are available and start at $15 each.
A four-film MiniPak starts at $72, whereas individual tribute events range from $30-$100 for floor seats. If you plan to buy individual tickets to one of the celebrity tributes, we recommend purchasing as soon as they are on sale to ensure you secure your spot given they often sell out.
Cinephiles will enjoy the Intro Package ($225), which includes two general admission tickets to both opening and closing night films and two four-film MiniPaks, which equates to eight film screening entrances. The Film Geek Package ($500) builds upon the Intro offerings with the addition of two general admission tickets to all five panel events, whereas the Tribute Package ($700) includes two GA tickets for each of the celebrity tribute events.
Other passes like the State Street ($650) and Cinema Pass ($850) include priority admission to film screenings. The Platinum Pass ($2,500) is the gateway to premium, priority access to all events, from celebrity tributes to film screenings. And the highest level of access comes with the Concierge Pass ($6,000) which grants reserved seating and other VIP benefits like concierge services and sponsored gift bags. Debuting in 2025, the Riviera Pass ($1,000) provides passholders with exclusive first access to every film screened at the Riviera Theatre during the festival. All films shown at downtown theaters during the festival will also be presented here, offering an intimate and exclusive setting.
To purchase SBIFF tickets, visit sbiff.org/tickets
SEE THE STARS
In addition to the opening and closing night film screenings and galas, the celebrity tribute events are among the most popular SBIFF programs. Fans gather on the street outside the theater hours before the events to see their favorite stars arrive on the red carpet. For ticket holders, these events offer a rare opportunity to sit in a theater as Hollywood’s top talents and rising stars are interviewed by skilled moderators. Past honorees have included the likes of Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Redford, Oprah Winfrey and Bill Murray—to name a few. As the candid conversations unfold, the talented performers reflect upon their careers and filmmaking experiences completely unscripted.
THINGS TO DO NEARBY
The Arlington Theatre, the main hub for SBIFF, is anchored in the heart of the historic ARTS District, meaning there’s plenty of shopping within walking distance along the State Street Promenade. Before your next film screening, grab a bite to eat at nearby Bouchon for wine country cuisine, Carlitos Café & Cantina for an authentic Mexican meal, Jane for French-meets-Californian dining, Santa Barbara Public Market for a more casual grab-and-go vibe or Opal Restaurant & Bar for upscale American plates. Then, unwind for a nightcap cocktail at The Good Lion.