2009 Modern Master – Clint Eastwood

Multiple Academy Award® winning director, producer, actor and composer Clint Eastwood has been selected to receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s highest honor, The Modern Master Award, it was announced by SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling. The Tribute will take place on Thursday, January 29, at the historic Arlington Theatre.

The Modern Master Award is the highest honor presented by SBIFF. Established in 1995, it was created to honor an individual who has enriched our culture through his/her accomplishments in the motion picture industry. Past Modern Masters recipients include Michael Douglas, Peter Jackson, Jodie Foster, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sean Penn, Jeff Bridges, Diane Keaton, George Clooney, Will Smith, and Cate Blanchett.

Comments SBIFF Director Roger Durling, “Clint Eastwood is inarguably one of our greatest directors, one of our greatest producers and one of our greatest actors ever - to call him a Modern Master is simply an understatement.”

Eastwood is a cinematic icon both in front of and behind the camera. His presence on screen is quiet yet powerful, as seen in the drama “Gran Torino,” marking his first film role since his Oscar®-winning film “Million Dollar Baby.” In “Gran Torino,” Eastwood stars as an iron-willed and inflexible Korean War veteran, living in a changing world, who is forced by his immigrant neighbors to confront his own long-held prejudices.

When directing, Eastwood’s films tend to possess an unforced naturalism of manner that is glad to bend, even break, with strict realism as well as with strict generic conventions, evidenced in his most recent film, “Changeling,” a drama starring Angelina Jolie in the true story of an infamous 1928 kidnapping case that rocked the LAPD, produced and directed by Eastwood.

His passion for film in both acting and directing is clearly visible by the projects that he chooses. The films Eastwood attaches himself to always have thought and meaning within them, such as “Bird,” the biopic of the famous jazz musician, Charlie Parker, for which he won a Golden Globe in 1993 for Best Director and the revisionist western “Unforgiven” in 1994 which went on to win an Academy Award® for Best Picture and garnered a Best Director win. In 1995 Eastwood produced, directed and starred opposite Meryl Streep in “The Bridges of Madison County.” In 2003, the critically acclaimed drama “Mystic River” starring Sean Penn and Tim Robbins went on to earn six Academy Award® nominations , including two for Eastwood for Best Picture and Best Director. In 2005, Eastwood won Academy Awards® for Best Picture and Best Director- his second in both categories- for “Million Dollar Baby.” He also earned a nomination for Best Actor for his performance in the film opposite Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman. In 2007, Eastwood earned dual Academy Awards® nominations, in the categories of Best Director and Best Picture, for his acclaimed World War II drama “Letters from Iwo Jima,” and the companion film “Flags of Our Fathers.” Eastwood will next direct and produce the historical drama “The Human Factor,” starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman in the role of Nelson Mandela.

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 Modern Master Award are on sale now and can be purchased 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 22 through February 1, 2009, 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 70,000 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 2009 American Riviera Award will be presented to Mickey Rourke on Friday, January 30.

It was announced today by SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling, that Mickey Rourke, star of the upcoming “The Wrestler” will be honored with the American Riviera Award on Friday, January 30, 2009 at the 24th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Fox Searchlight Pictures will release the film, directed by Darren Aronofsky, in select theaters on December 17th. Past recipients include Tommy Lee Jones, Forrest Whitaker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kevin Bacon and Diane Lane.

“America is all about second chances,” commented Durling, “and so it’s appropriate that the American Riviera Award that always goes to a U.S. actor should be given this year to Mickey Rourke - who has shown us with his performance in ‘The Wrestler’ to never underestimate a true artist and his power to reinvent himself.”

This honor comes on the heels of Rourke’s latest film, “The Wrestler,” a powerful portrait of retired professional wrestler Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) who tries to get back in the game for one final showdown with his formal rival. Rourke’s performance has been described by Newsweek as “the kind of harmonic convergence of player and part that happens once in a blue moon - the actor vanishing so completely inside a role that our sense of his ‘real’ identity is permanently altered.” Rourke’s portrayal of the has-been fighter is physical, invested and powerful– but it’s also quiet, sad and hauntingly wounded, as well.

Mickey Rourke, one of the few true method actors of today and a graduate of New York’s Actor’s Studio, is this generation’s classic working actor. His career has been defined by his performances in such films as “Body Heat,” the cult classic “Diner,” the coming-of-age tale, “Rumble Fish,” the controversial and sexually-themed box-office hit “9 ½ Weeks,” “Barfly,” “Pope of Greenwich Village,” “Francesco,” the Oliver Stone-penned “Year of the Dragon” and Alan Parker’s “Angel Heart.” In 2005, Rourke made his mainstream comeback, receiving acclaim with a lead role in Robert Rodriguez’s “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” and “Sin City.” Rourke followed that with a supporting role in Tony Scott’s “Domino” alongside Keira Knightly.

Rourke’s forthcoming releases include “Killshot” written by Elmore Leonard and The Informers” directed by Gregor Jordan.

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 Mickey Rourke for the American Riviera Award will go on sale today and can be purchased through www.sbfilmfestival.org or through the Lobero Box Office 805.963.0761 and the Arlington Theater Box office, 805.963.4408. Mini-Paks for the festival (NOT passes) are also discounted 20% until November 28. 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 22 through February 1, 2009, 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 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Field Trip to the Movies, and educational seminars. With a projected audience of over 70,000 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.
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Credentialing for the 2009 SBIFF is now open; log onto www.sbfilmfestival.org and click on PRESS.

Kristin Scott Thomas will receive the Cinema Vanguard Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Tuesday, January 27, 2009.

The Cinema Vanguard Award was created in recognition of an actor who has forged his/her own path - taking artistic risks and making a significant and unique contribution to film. Formally known as The Independent Award, it was bestowed last year to Ryan Gosling. This year’s well-deserving recipient is Kristin Scott Thomas, and she will be feted on Tuesday, January 27, 2008.

Comments Durling, “A masterful performance by a British actress in a French film and a triumphant Broadway debut in Chekhov in the same year - Kristin Scott Thomas is in a league by herself and an artistic force to be reckoned with.”

Scott Thomas has a reputation for never shying away from challenging roles and is always determined to not repeat herself. Her body of work is an extraordinary collection of acclaimed film, television and theatre performances. Making her US film debut in Prince’s “Under the Cherry Moon,” she went on to great acclaim in the 1994 comedy “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” starring opposite Hugh Grant and Andie McDowell, which won her a BAFTA award for Best Supporting Actress. Scott Thomas won over audiences and critics alike in 1996 with her Academy-award nominated performance in the late Anthony Minghella’s “The English Patient,” where she starred opposite Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. In 2001, Scott Thomas was part of the ensemble for Robert Altman’s acclaimed, Oscar® -winning film, “Gosford Park.” The cast, which included Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren, went on to garner numerous awards and nominations including The SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture and the Broadcast Film Critics Award for Best Ensemble. Other notable credits include: Richard Loncraine’s “Richard III,” opposite Sir Ian McKellen and Annette Bening; Philip Haas’ “Angels and Insects;” Robert Redford’s “The Horse Whisperer;” Sydney Pollack’s “Random Hearts,” starred opposite Harrison Ford; Irwin Winkler’s “Life as a House,” opposite Kevin Kline.

This fall, Scott Thomas can be seen in Phillipe Claudel’s “I’ve Loved You So Long (Il y a Longtemps que je t’aime),” a story of redemption following a woman who has committed a terrible crime and returns to live with her young sister after being banished from her family.

Scott Thomas will next be seen in “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” based on the novel by Sophie Kinsella, including Isla Fisher, John Goodman, Joan Cusack, and John Lithgow; and in Stephen Elliot’s “Easy Virtue,” which is based on the play by Sir Noël Coward and stars opposite Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes and Colin Firth.

Tickets for The Cinema Vanguard Award Tribute to Kristin Scott Thomas at the Lobero Theatre are available now, discounted 20% until November 28, and can be purchased through www.sbfilmfestival.org or through the Lobero Box Office 805.963.0761 and the Arlington Theater Box office, 805.963.4408. Mini-Paks for the festival (NOT passes) are also discounted 20% until November 28. 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 22 through February 1, 2009, 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 70,000 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.

Mini-Paks are available at both the Lobero and Arlington box offices.

Mini-Paks provide admission to 4 (or 10) film screenings or 4 (or 10) people to one film screening or combination therein. Not valid for tributes, parties or Opening Night Film & Gala. OK for admission to Centerpiece & Closing Night film screening only with double punch & OK for admission to Conversations With… & To the Maxxx with single punch. Not refundable. 100% transferrable.
Mini-Paks make great holiday and corporate gifts. For information on group or bulk sales, please contact the Festival office at 805-963-0023.

Penelope Cruz is to be honored with the Outstanding Performance of the Year Award at the 2009 Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Santa Barbara, CA- The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is proud to honor Penélope Cruz with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 24th edition of the Fest, which runs January 22-February 1, 2009, it was announced today by SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling.

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20% OFF UNTIL NOVEMBER 14

Cruz, who returned to theaters this summer with two powerful and diverse back-to-back performances in “Elegy” opposite Sir Ben Kingsley and Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” opposite Javier Bardem and Scarlett Johansson, garnering her accolades from both audiences and critics alike, will be presented with the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award on Saturday, January 31, at the historic Arlington Theatre.

“There are few actresses who can today be described as international movie goddesses,” comments Durling, “and this year, with her exceptional work in “Elegy” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” Penélope Cruz has earned that description.”

Cruz was first introduced to American audiences in the Spanish films “Jamón, Jamón,” and “Belle Époque,” a film which won an Academy Award for Foreign Language Film in 1994. Noted for her leading lady status in Spanish cinema, she appeared in such films as the classic Pedro Almodovar film “Live Flesh,” Alejandro Amenabar’s “Open Your Eyes,” and Fernando Trueba’s “The Girl of Your Dreams.” In 1998 Cruz starred in her first English language film, “Hi-Lo Country” for director Stephen Frears opposite Woody Harrelson and in 1999 she appeared in Pedro Almodóvar’s “All About My Mother,” which won an Academy Award for Foreign Language Film. She went on to appear in such films as “All the Pretty Horses,” directed by Billy Bob Thornton opposite Matt Damon, “Woman on Top,” with Harold Perrineau, Ted Demme’s film, “Blow,” opposite Johnny Depp, and “Bandidas,” opposite Salma Hayek. In 2006, she re-teamed with Pedro Almodóvar in “Volver,” which earned her a Best Actress Ensemble Award at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as nominations for an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and BAFTA Award. Cruz recently completed production on her next Almodovar collaboration, “Los Abrazos Rotos,” and will soon begin production on “Nine,” directed by Rob Marshall and based on Federico Fellini’s “8 ½.”

Cruz will join an illustrious group of previous Outstanding Performance Award recipients, including Angelina Jolie (2008), Helen Mirren (2007), Heath Ledger (2006), Kate Winslet (2005) and Charlize Theron (2004).

The Outstanding Performer of the Year Tribute to Penélope Cruz will take place at the Arlington Theatre with a multimedia presentation produced by Paul Fagen of P. Fagen Productions. Tickets for this event are available now, discounted 20% until November 14 and can be purchased through www.sbfilmfestival.org or through the Lobero Box Office, 805.963.0761 and the Arlington Theater Box office, 805.963.4408. Mini-Paks for the festival (NOT passes) are discounted 20% until November 28. 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 22 through February 1, 2009, 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 70,000 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.

Ed Harris and Kirk Douglas on the red carpet at the 3rd Annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film

In recognition of his contributions to the world of film, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival proudly presented the third annual KIRK DOUGLAS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FILM to esteemed actor/director Ed Harris. The event was held on Thursday, October 2, at the Coral Casino Ballroom of the Four Seasons Resort, the Biltmore Santa Barbara.

Go to the TICKETING page for more information.