Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) announced the lineup for the 37th edition, which will run March 2 to 12, 2022. The festival will feature 48 world premieres and 95 U.S. premieres from 54 countries, along with tributes featuring the year’s top talent, panel discussions, and free community education and outreach programs.
SBIFF 2022 will open on Wednesday, March 2 with the U.S. Premiere of The Phantom of the Open, a heartwarming British comedy starring Oscar winners Sally Hawkins and Mark Rylance. The film is based on the true story of Maurice Fitcroft, who entered the 1976 British Open despite never having played a round of golf before.
The festival will close on Saturday, March 12 with Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over, with the iconic singer in attendance. The documentary follows Warwick as she smashed through cultural, racial and gender barriers to become the soundtrack for generations and a voice fighting for humanitarian causes. Featuring interviews with Burt Bachrach, Gladys Knight, Gloria Estefan, Snoop Dogg, Bill Clinton and many more.
The 37th SBIFF celebrates some of the year’s finest work in film. Tributes include American Riviera Award honoring Kristen Stewart; Virtuosos Award honoring Caitriona Balfe (Belfast), Ariana DeBose (West Side Story), Jamie Dornan (Belfast), Alana Haim (Licorice Pizza), Emilia Jones (CODA), Troy Kotsur (CODA), Simon Rex (Red Rocket), and Saniyya Sidney (King Richard); Outstanding Performers of the Year Award honoring Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis – Sunday, March 6 at 8:00pm. Moderated by Scott Feinberg; Cinema Vanguard Award honoring Benedict Cumberbatch; and Maltin Modern Master Award presented by Manitou Fund honoring Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman.