5 Things to Look Forward to at the Santa Barbara Film Festival

As the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) approaches, everyone’s anticipation is growing. From the incredible opportunities they offer students to worldwide premieres, there’s a lot to get excited about for the 31st annual film festival. If we had to pick though, we’d list these 5 events as the most exciting.

The Little Prince Premiere

On February 3rd, which is opening night, the SBIFF will premiere The Little Prince. This is a star-studded animated stop-motion film, based on the beloved French children’s book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It’s a charming story about a little girl who is coping with her overbearing parents. She befriends an elderly neighbor who tells her the story of the Little Prince and teaches her some valuable life lessons. This is a highly-anticipated film that will almost certainly be a hit among kids and adults alike. We can’t wait to see it!

Opening Night Gala

This fun, 21+ celebration will take place on opening night of the festival. It will be held at the Arlington Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara. Attendees will not only get to be a part of the kickoff event, but they can enjoy Santa Barbara’s gorgeous downtown! It’s certain to be wonderful celebration of filmmaking.

Free Screenings

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival isn’t just for wealthy people and celebrities. There are actually quite a few free screenings at the festival that anyone can enjoy. There are free offerings for film buffs of all ages, so bring your kids along for the fun! The film is one of the most accessible and exciting art forms, which is why it’s so wonderful that the SBIFF is offering free screenings for the community.

AppleBox Screenings

The AppleBox is among the free offerings of the SBIFF. These screenings take place on weekend mornings during the festival and are for film lovers of all ages. There’s even complimentary popcorn and refreshments! They’ll be showing recent hits, like Inside Out and Minions, that the whole family will enjoy. We’re so excited that they’re offering this fun opportunity for local families.

Super Silent Sunday

This is another free screening that obviously takes place on Sunday. Its name is derived from the fact that they show a classic silent film during this event. This is an incredible opportunity because it’s unlikely viewers would be able to see a classic silent film on the big screen in any other place. It also allows movie buffs to reconnect with filmmaking’s rich history. Film lovers won’t want to miss this!

Regardless of which events you’re attending at the SBIFF, it will surely be an incredible 10 days of film celebration. We can’t wait to see these exciting events and we know you can’t either. And if you haven’t booked a place to stay yet during the festival, try a comfortable room right here at Marina Beach Motel!