May 11, 2009

News Update:

SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SETS DATES FOR 25TH EDITION:  February 4 -14, 2010
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FEST TO HOST 25TH ANNIVERSARY LAUNCH PARTY IN JULY
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Fest to offer 25% discount on passes through June

Santa Barbara, CA – CUE Jeopardy Theme:

Alex Trebek:  A month before they were handed the Oscar, where did Charlize Theron, Kate Winslet, George Clooney, Peter Jackson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Helen Mirren, Forrest Whitaker, Marion Cotillard, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Sean Penn and Danny Boyle among many others make a stop?

Answer:  What is the Santa Barbara International Film Festival!

In what is sure to be the event of the year, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced today the dates for the 2010 festival -- Thursday, February 4 through Sunday, February 14, 2010, marking their Silver Anniversary.

Santa Barbara has become a primary stop for nominees on the road to the Oscars.  “Since its inception, SBIFF has grown in stature, prestige and importance in the past 25 years,” commented SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling.  “This is an incredible place to be while we celebrate our Silver Anniversary!”

To kick off the upcoming 25th Silver Anniversary, the festival is throwing a Silver Screen Bash Sunday, July 19 from 5pm to 10pm at Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort in the Rotunda.
The fundraiser, spearheaded by SBIFF Development Chair David Edelman, will raise funds for the education and community programming for the free programs that are offered by SBIFF, such as Apple Box Children’s Film Festival, Third Weekend; Field Trip to the Movies; and the very popular 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting competitions for high school and college students.

The party will have exciting elements including musical entertainment provided by a live band and a DJ.  Guests will also be treated to samplings of delicious food from 10 of Santa Barbara’s favorite restaurants, as well as both live and silent auctions, all to benefit the programs that the Festival offers to the community of Santa Barbara.  The event has attracted early sponsors such as Montecito Bank & Trust, Roblar Winery, Stockholm Krystal Vodka and Rincon Broadcasting, with additional sponsorships still available.  Tickets and tables are available for purchase as of Monday, May 11, starting at $75.  Log onto www.sbfilmfestival.org to purchase tickets; for additional information, contact the SBIFF office at 805-963-0023.
The SBIFF continues under the expert guidance of Executive Director Roger Durling, with Candace Schermerhorn as Programming Manager, and the illustrious Board of Directors headed by Jeff Barbakow.
This is a very exciting year as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival celebrates its 25th Anniversary. In honor of this very special milestone, passes for the 2010 festival are being offered at 25% off, now through June 21.  Passes may be purchased by logging onto www.sbfilmfestival.org or by calling the SBIFF office, 805-963-0023.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is dedicated to the art of filmmaking, which seeks out and consequently offers a broad array of international and independent films, with a commitment to diversity.   SBIFF, which attracts more than 70,000 visitors each year, endeavors to enrich the community both culturally and economically by presenting eleven days of films, tributes and symposiums, raising consciousness of film as an art form.  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.  SBIFF continues it commitment to education through its 10-20-30 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Field Trip to the Movies and educational seminars.

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