An Evening With Julie Christie
Location: Lobero Theatre, 33 E Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Press check-in: 6:30 pm; 7:15 pm arrivals; 8pm event begins
Moderated by Leonard Maltin


“Water Flowing Together”
Location: Center Stage Theater, 751 Paseo Nuevo, in Paseo Nuevo mall
Screening time: 7:00 pm’
Attending: Director Gwendolyn Cates

“Fix”
Location: Victoria Hall, 33 W. Victoria St.
Screening time: 9:00 pm
Attending: Tao Ruspoli (director), actress Olivia Wilde ("Turistas," "The O.C."), Megalyn Echikunwoke ("The 4400," "That 70s Show"), and Shawn Andrews.

“Frayed”
Location: Metro 4
Screening Time: 10:30 p.m.
Attending: Directors Norbert Caoili, Rob Portmann, actress Kellee Bradley

And a reminder for Saturday morning:

Press/Filmmaker Breakfast*
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2008
Location: Fess Parker’s Doubletree
Time: 8.30-10am
Attending: Visiting filmmakers. A chance to network and connect with filmmakers.

In a bold move, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival created a new award for 2008 which will honor Casey Affleck, Marion Cotillard, James McAvoy, Ellen Page, and Amy Ryan with the first 2007 Virtuosos Award at the 23rd edition of the Fest, which runs January 24-February 3, 2008, it was announced today by SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling.

The 2007 Virtuosos Award was created this year to recognize a select group of young actors who have distinguished themselves through performances in film this past year. They will be presented the honor on Wednesday, January 30, 2008.

“There will always be one or two performances that stand out, but this year in particular there were several performances by actors that truly set them apart from the pack. These talented actors have proven themselves to be a strong presence on-screen, and these performances have given a glimpse at the bright future that cinema has to offer audiences for years to come,” Durling commented.

Those actors who were selected to be recognized for their stand-out performances are: Casey Affleck, who illustrated his remarkable range in two of the year’s most powerful performances: his multilayered turn as Robert Ford in “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” and as a young detective faced with the ultimate moral dilemma in “Gone Baby Gone.” Marion Cotillard, whose impressionist portrait of an artist who regretted nothing stars in a blazing performance channeling Edith Piaf’s otherworldly quality in “La Vie En Rose;” James McAvoy, whose portrayal of Robbie Turner in “Atonement” exudes the essence of humanity in a truly soulful picture, further proving he’s a bona fide leading man; Ellen Page whose mixture of flamboyant self-possession and vulnerability in the title role in “Juno” could turn her into a new role model; and Amy Ryan, whose character in “Gone Baby Gone” could have easily been a trashy cliché but believably portrays the abrasive and negligent single mom fearlessly, while also co-starring in “Before The Devil Knows Your Dead”.

The tribute, produced by Dana Morrow, will take place at the Lobero Theatre at 8pm on Wednesday, January 30. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased for $65 through www.sbfilmfestival.org or through the Lobero Box Office, 805.963.0761 and the Arlington Theater Box office, 805.963.4408. Festival Platinum and Cinema Passes are currently on sale exclusively at the Lobero Box Office. Box Office fees will apply for all Film Festival Passes, Mini-Paks, and event tickets.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, with American Express as a Premiere Sponsor of the 2008 Festival, is set to run January 24 through February 3. The SBIFF is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching local culture and raising consciousness of film as an art form. The SBIFF presents quality American and world independent films, Latin American and Asian sidebars as well as documentary cinema within the beautiful setting of downtown Santa Barbara, a premier tourist destination. The SBIFF is also committed to education through its Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Field Trip to the Movies, and educational seminars. With a projected audience of over 60,000 viewing more than 200 films over its eleven-day run, the SBIFF attracts an affluent local and national consumer base, while maintaining strong ties with the entertainment industry in nearby Los Angeles. For more information, please visit www.sbfilmfestival.org.

The American Riviera Award, an award the SBIFF established to recognize an actor who has had a strong influence on American Cinema, will be presented to Tommy Lee Jones on Friday, February 1, 2008. Previous recipients include Forest Whitaker and Philip Seymour Hoffman, both of whom went on to win Academy Awards.

Jones’ performances in the critically acclaimed film "In the Valley of Elah" by director Paul Haggis, and "No Country for Old Men" from Joel and Ethan Cohen have both been applauded by critics and audiences alike this year. "Elah," which also stars Charlize Theron, is about a career officer who investigates the disappearance of his son, an exemplary soldier who went AWOL after his recent return from Iraq. Jones also quietly shines in the Cohen Brothers tale.

“To have the opportunity to honor an actor as accomplished as Tommy Lee Jones is wonderful for us, but to do it in a year when he has had two equally powerful performances—that makes this our honor,” said Roger Durling, Director of SBIFF.

Jones, one of the most acclaimed and accomplished actors in Hollywood, brings a distinct character to every film that he’s in. In his career, Jones has been in memorable dramatic films such as "Cobb," "Blue Sky," "The Client," "Heaven and Earth" and "Coal Miner's Daughter"- for which he received his first Golden Globe nomination. His first Oscar nomination came from his role as Clay Shaw in "JFK," three years later Jones was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard in "The Fugitive." Jones made his feature directorial debut with "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada," in which he also starred and subsequently won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival. He has also shown his flair for comedic timing in films like "Space Cowboys" and "A Prairie Home Companion," and the mega blockbuster hits "Men in Black" and the sequel "Men in Black 2." Following "In the Valley of Elah," audiences will next see Jones star in the film based on the Cormac McCarthy novel, "No Country for Old Men."

The tribute will take place at the Lobero Theatre at 8pm on Friday, February 1 with a multimedia presentation produced by Paul Fagen of P. Fagen Productions. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased for $65 through www.sbfilmfestival.org or through the Lobero Box Office, 805.963.0761 and the Arlington Theater Box office, 805.963.4408. Festival Platinum and Cinema Passes are currently on sale exclusively at the Lobero Box Office. Box Office fees will apply for all Film Festival Passes, Mini-Paks, and event tickets.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, set to run January 24 through February 3, 2008, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching local culture and raising consciousness of film as an art form. The SBIFF presents quality American and world independent films, Latin American and Asian sidebars as well as documentary cinema within the beautiful setting of downtown Santa Barbara, a premier tourist destination. The SBIFF is also committed to education through its Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Field Trip to the Movies, and educational seminars. With a projected audience of over 60,000 viewing more than 200 films over its eleven-day run, the SBIFF attracts an affluent local and national consumer base, while maintaining strong ties with the entertainment industry in nearby Los Angeles. For more information, please visit www.sbfilmfestival.org.

Academy Award® and three-time Golden Globe winner Angelina Jolie will be honored on Saturday, February 2, 2008 at the 23rd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival with the Outstanding Performance of the Year Award for her critically acclaimed performance in “A Mighty Heart”, it was announced today by SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling. Past recipients include Kate Winslet, Heath Ledger and Helen Mirren for her performance in “The Queen.”

Based on the bestselling book by Mariane Pearl and featuring a career best performance by Jolie “A Mighty Heart” was described by Newsweek as “a movie without melodrama or movie-star lighting…allowing Jolie to deliver the most delicate, powerful and human-scale performance of her career.” Jolie’s performance was widely touted by top critics as her finest artistic achievement to date. “We are honored to celebrate Ms. Jolie in what is arguably one of the most extraordinary female roles of the year,” commented Durling.

Having studied under famed acting coach Lee Strasberg, Jolie has been critically lauded throughout her career, receiving the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards, as well as an Emmy nomination, for her breakout performance in the title role of HBO’s “Gia.” For her standout performance in “Girl, Interrupted” Jolie won the Academy Award® for Best Supporting Actress, as well as earning a Golden Globe, Broadcast Film Critics, and the Screen Actors Guild awards. She has starred in such blockbuster hits as “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,” and “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and will next be heard in Robert Zemeckis’s fantasy adventure “Beowulf.” She begins production on the Clint Eastwood directed “The Changeling“ this fall.

The festivities will take place at the historic Arlington Theatre with a multimedia presentation produced by Paul Fagen of P. Fagen Productions. Tickets for the Tribute to Angelina Jolie for Outstanding Performance of the Year will go on sale today and can be purchased through http://www.sbfilmfestival.org

Academy Award winning actress Cate Blanchett has been selected to receive the 2008 Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Modern Master Award on Saturday, January 26, 2008, it was announced by SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling.

Blanchett is one of the most gifted performers working today. She possesses an innate intelligence and ability to adapt completely to her characters, making her one of Hollywood’s most respected and revered talents. She developed her talent at a young age, working extensively in theater in her native Australia. She achieved international acclaim in 1998 with her stunning performance as a young Elizabeth I in Shekhar Kapur’s “Elizabeth,” which earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, a BAFTA Award for Lead Actress, a Screen Actors Guild Awards nomination and an Oscar nomination. Blanchett returns this year in Kapur’s sequel “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” that focuses on the late 16th Century when Queen Elizabeth is faced with political and personal conflict: the threat from Spain to invade her country and the reality that she may never find true love, remaining the Virgin Queen forever.

She has had the opportunity to portray a wide range of characters in films by some of the most esteemed directors, such as Mike Newell’s “Pushing Tin,” Anthony Minghella’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” Barry Levinson’s “Bandits,” Lasse Hallström’s “The Shipping News,” Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Joel Schumacher’s “Veronica Guerin,” Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator” (for which Blanchett won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn), Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s “Babel,” and others. Blanchett will also be seen this year in Todd Haynes’ “I’m Not There,” in which she joins six actors who each portray a different aspect of Bob Dylan’s life and work.

“Cate Blanchett is the most consummate actor,” commented Durling, “and portraying Queen Elizabeth and Bob Dylan in the same year - and so indelibly - is pure alchemy. We’re so eager to honor her in the upcoming festival.”

Santa Barbara, CA – In recognition of his contributions to the world of film, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival is honored to present the second annual KIRK DOUGLAS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FILM to legendary actor John Travolta.

The award will be presented to Travolta on Thursday, November 15. The Santa Barbara International Film Festival will host the black-tie Gala dinner at the Four Seasons The Biltmore in Santa Barbara and will feature a look at Mr. Travolta’s illustrious career. A few special guests will be on-hand to assist in honoring a man who has entertained and inspired audiences of all ages for decades.

“He is so deserving of this unique award. John Travolta has given us iconic performances for many years, just as Kirk has done in his lifetime” SBIFF’s Director, Roger Durling stated.

“We are delighted to have this event as the entrée to what has become a film festival of the highest of caliber. It is a thrill for us to include Mr. Travolta in the SBIFF family,” stated Jeff Barbakow, President of the Board of Directors.

The award’s namesake, Kirk Douglas, will present the award to Travolta, who is known for many memorable performances in such films as “Saturday Night Fever,” “Urban Cowboy,” “Grease,” “Pulp Fiction” and his recent hit “Hairspray.”

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, set to run January 24 through February 3, 2008, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching local culture and raising consciousness of film as an art form. The SBIFF presents quality American and world independent films, Latin American and Asian sidebars as well as documentary cinema within the beautiful setting of downtown Santa Barbara, a premier tourist destination. The SBIFF is also committed to education through its Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Field Trip to the Movies, and educational seminars. With a projected audience of over 50,000 viewing more than 200 films over its eleven-day run, the SBIFF attracts an affluent local and national consumer base, while maintaining strong ties with the entertainment industry in nearby Los Angeles.

For more information, please visit www.sbfilmfestival.org

Press coverage is invited for arrivals and cocktail reception; seating for dinner is extremely limited. For press coverage, contact Carol Marshall or Alanna Kordell.

www.cmarshallpr.com

Santa Barbara, CA—The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, one of the nation’s premiere film festivals, is calling for entries for their 2008 fest, which will run from January 24 through February 3, 2008.

The Festival is accepting submissions beginning on July 9 for the following categories: American Independents, Spanish and Latin American films, documentaries, Reel Nature (nature films), East X West (Asian films), To the Maxxx (extreme sports), short films and Santa Barbara filmmakers (features, documentaries and shorts).

The regular deadline for film submissions in September 21, 2007 with a fee of $50 for features and $35 for shorts; prices increase for the late deadline of October 22 with a fee of $75 for features and $50 for shorts; the final drop deadline of November 16 is available for a fee of $95 for features and $65 for shorts.

Any filmmakers wishing to submit their films for consideration for the 2008 SBIFF should visit the filmmaker section of www.sbfilmfestival.org.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, set to run January 24 through February 3, 2008, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching local culture and raising consciousness of film as an art form. The SBIFF presents quality American and world independent films, Latin American and Asian sidebars as well as documentary cinema within the beautiful setting of downtown Santa Barbara, a premier tourist destination. The SBIFF is also committed to education through its Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Field Trip to the Movies, and educational seminars. With a projected audience of over 50,000 viewing more than 200 films over its eleven-day run, the SBIFF attracts an affluent local and national consumer base, while maintaining strong ties with the entertainment industry in nearby Los Angeles.

The Santa Barbara Independent Audience Choice for Best Feature: “Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life,”
Directed by Logan Smalley.

The American Spirit Award, sponsored by Panavision: “Man In The Chair,”
Directed by Michael Schroeder and starring Christopher Plummer and Michael Angarano. Winner receives a camera package worth approx. $60,000.

The Best International Feature Film Award for the best Foreign Film: “Beauty In Trouble”
Directed by Jan Hrebejk

The Gold Vision Award Sponsored by York: “Spiral”
Directed by: Adam Green and Joel David Moore
and “Fissures”
Directed by Alanté Alfandari.
Prize: Winners receive an offer for Worldwide Distribution by York Entertainment, a distribution package valued at $30,000 (Offer valid through June 2007.)


The Nueva Vision Award for the Best Spanish and Latin American: “DarkBlueAlmostBlack”
Directed by Daniel Sánchez Arévalo.

Best Documentary: “Crazy Love,”
Directed by Dan Klores.

Fund for Santa Barbara Social Justice Award Sponsored by Fund for Santa Barbara: “The Ground Truth,”
Directed by Petricia Foulkrod
and “Crude Impact”
Directed by James Wood

Bruce Corwin Award for Best Live Action Short Film: “Moi”
Directed by Yan England.

Bruce Corwin Award for Best Animation: “Everything Will Be OK,” Directed by Don Hertzfeldt.

Sotheby’s International Realty 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking Competition:
High School – Ian Wexler, Santa Barbara High School, “Rose”
College – Mark Calver, Brooks Institute, “Tales from a High Hat”

10-10-10 Student Screenwriting Competition, sponsored by Business First National Bank, and Final Draft – for Best Screenplay went to:
In the high school division: Levi Michaels, from San Marcos High School for “Rose,” based on Little Red Riding Hood
In the college division: Charles Heining, from Brooks Institute, for “The Charming Sister” based on Cinderella