by Sean Pratt | Mar 15, 2021 | Film Recommendations
Dear Cinephiles, Rocky: “I’m dumb, and you’re shy.” I hadn’t seen “Rocky” (1976) since it first came out. I saw all the sequels, including the spin-off of the series, Ryan Coogler’s “Creed” (2015). I had forgotten how tender and poignant the original film is. It has...
by Sean Pratt | May 27, 2020 | Film Recommendations
Dear Cinephiles, It is sad to report that “Fruitvale Station” (2013) – the masterful directing debut by Ryan Coogler – is still prescient and urgent given Monday’s death of George Floyd – who died after pleading that he couldn’t breathe while a police officer held him...
by Sean Pratt | Aug 4, 2009
Celebrity Tributes Tributes are an hour and a half in-person conversation with a moderator and the honoree discussing the honoree’s career, complete with clips and montages from their body of work. The evening culminates with an award presentation by a special...
by Sean Pratt | Jan 17, 2025 | General
Below is the list of feature and short films at the 2025 SBIFF. For the complete list of films, synopses, and other special events please visit the SBIFF app. A printed program guide will be available February 4th. SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTED...
by Sean Pratt | May 28, 2021 | Film Recommendations
Dear Cinephiles, “What’s past is prologue.” A year ago, on May 25, 2020, Darnella Frazier, a 17-year old, took a video with her cellphone and changed the world. The Minneapolis police had given an ambiguous account of George Floyd’s death, and if it hadn’t been for...
by Sean Pratt | Feb 18, 2021 | Film Recommendations
Dear Cinephiles, “You can murder a freedom fighter, but you can’t murder freedom.” Last fall, Aaron Sorkin delivered his timely and compelling “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” which covered the federal government’s 1969 charging of seven activists with conspiracy arising...
by Sean Pratt | Jan 18, 2021 | Film Recommendations
Dear Cinephiles, “At times, life is hard, as hard as crucible steel. It has its bleak and painful moments. Like the ever-flowing water of a river, life has its moments of drought and its moments of flood. Like the ever-changing cycle of the seasons, life has the...
by Sean Pratt | Dec 29, 2020 | Film Recommendations
Dear Cinephiles, “Eddie and Jean met and fell in love. Eddie and Jean got married and bought a house. Eddie and Jean were gonna have a kid but didn’t. So, every morning, Eddie kisses Jean, Eddie leaves the house, and Jean’s alone.” There’s quite a dazzling moment in...
by Sean Pratt | Aug 10, 2020 | Film Recommendations
Dear Cinephiles, “Fact is, all lies, all evil deeds, they stink. You can cover them up for a while, but they don’t go away,” says the charismatic robber Dalton Russell in Spike Lee’s enthralling and fast-paced heist movie “Inside Man” (2006). This was Lee’s...
by Sean Pratt | Jun 30, 2020 | Film Recommendations
Dear Cinephiles, I love a feel-good movie as much as anybody – but I prefer them to be nutritious. Let’s say I want my escapism to make me think as well as feel. Gurinder Chada’s exceptionally pleasing “Bend it Like Beckham” checks all the marks. It was that rare...
by Sean Pratt | Jul 24, 2009
10-10-10 SCREENWRITING AND FILMMAKING MENTORSHIP AND COMPETITION Sponsored by Click Here To Support SBIFF’s Student Filmmaker Mentorship Program The applications for the 2025-2026 program are due on Monday, September 29th. PLEASE NOTE BEFORE APPLYING: Applicants may...
