The Santa Barbara International Film Festival runs February 3 to 13, 2027, its 42nd edition: 11 days of more than 200 films, celebrity tributes, and industry panels up and down State Street. The first tribute is already on the books. John Malkovich receives the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award on Friday, February 12.
SBIFF is a pass-based festival, which trips up first-timers. Passes are on sale now, MiniPaks come this fall, and the full schedule arrives in mid-January. Here is how it all works, as of September 28, 2026.
The quick version
| When | Wednesday, February 3, through Saturday, February 13, 2027 |
| Where | Santa Barbara: SBIFF Film Center (McHurley Film Center), Arlington Theatre, and SBIFF Riviera Theatre |
| Highlights | 200+ films, celebrity tributes, industry panels, daily free films; John Malkovich tribute February 12 |
| Passes | $675 to $6,000; 4-film MiniPak $72 (on sale this fall) |
| Single tickets | Rush only, $15, 5 minutes before showtime if seats remain |
| Refunds | None |
| Online option | None. SBIFF is in person only |
| Official site | sbiff.org |
What’s screening
The 2027 lineup has not been announced. SBIFF says the full schedule will be out in mid-January on the SBIFF app and at sbiff.org. For scale: the 2026 festival drew more than 80,000 attendees and showed 200-plus films from 50 countries, including 46 world premieres, according to the Santa Barbara Independent.
The tributes
Tributes are SBIFF’s signature: an hour and a half onstage conversation with the honoree, clips from their career, and an award presentation by a special guest. So far, one 2027 honoree is confirmed:
- Outstanding Performer of the Year Award: John Malkovich, Friday, February 12. Tickets are $45, or $100 with priority admission.
Past tribute honorees give a sense of the draw. The 2026 festival honored Adam Sandler (Maltin Modern Master), Ethan Hawke (American Riviera), Michael B. Jordan (Outstanding Performer), Stellan Skarsgård (Montecito Award), and Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro (Hammond Cinema Vanguard).
Passes and tickets
Prices from SBIFF’s 2027 box office page:
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| State Street Pass | $675 |
| Cinema Pass | $950 |
| Riviera Pass | $1,000 |
| Platinum Pass | $2,750 |
| Concierge Pass | $6,000 |
| 4 Film MiniPak | $72 |
| Outstanding Performer Award: John Malkovich | $45 |
| Same, with priority admission | $100 |
The Tribute, Film Geek, and Intro packages are already sold out. A $10 tax-deductible donation can be added at checkout.
How SBIFF actually works
- Passes get you in first. Pass holders are seated in order of pass level (Concierge, Platinum, Cinema, then State Street) 30 minutes before each film. All passes except Concierge are transferable.
- MiniPaks are a punch card. Four admissions, usable any way you like (one person to four films, four people to one film). About an hour before showtime, grab a numbered Q card to hold your place, then go enjoy downtown. MiniPak holders are seated after pass holders, in Q card order, so admission is not guaranteed.
- Rush tickets are the only single tickets for films. They cost $15 and go on sale 5 minutes before the film, if there is room.
- Special events are different. Tributes, panels, and opening and closing night are pre-sold on the website and at the door if available. Pass holders get in 1 hour early; ticket holders 30 minutes before.
- Free films every day. SBIFF runs daily free screenings, including family-friendly films and filmmaker discussions, first come, first served after pass holders.
- Platinum perks: daily happy hours are exclusive to Platinum pass holders.
- Everything is will call. Nothing is mailed. Lost passes and tickets are not replaced.
Venues and will call
- SBIFF Film Center, 916 State St., Santa Barbara. The festival’s renovated downtown multiplex, called the new McHurley Film Center in SBIFF’s 2027 dates announcement.
- Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St., Santa Barbara.
- SBIFF Riviera Theatre, 2044 Alameda Padre Serra, Santa Barbara.
- Will call and box office: SBIFF’s Education Center, 1330 State St., Suite 101. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, February 1, and Tuesday, February 2, then 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. February 3 to 13. Street parking only: parking in the 1330 State St. lot can get you ticketed or towed.
Parking
The City of Santa Barbara runs paid parking in ten lots and five structures downtown near the Film Center and the Arlington. In 2026, the city sold a $50 festival permit good for unlimited parking in city-operated downtown lots and garages for all 11 days; watch SBIFF’s parking page to see if it returns for 2027. The Riviera Theatre has free parking, though it can fill up for popular films.
Still to come
The 2027 film lineup, opening and closing night films, other tribute honorees, panels, the free film schedule, MiniPak on-sale date, and 2027 parking permit details have not been announced. The 824 Journal will update this guide when they are released.
Sources
- SBIFF, official site (2027 dates, John Malkovich tribute)
- SBIFF 2027 box office (pass and ticket prices, will call hours, schedule timing)
- SBIFF: FAQs and Will Call Info (pass rules, MiniPaks, rush tickets, venues, refunds)
- SBIFF: Celebrity Tributes (format, past honorees)
- SBIFF: Film Festival Parking (2026 permit)
- SBIFF: About
- Santa Barbara Independent: SBIFF Sets Dates for 2027 Edition (April 14, 2026; 2026 attendance and stats)
Featured photo: Warren LeMay from Chicago, IL, United States via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
