The beams of spotlights criss-crossed the skies above Santa Barbara Wednesday night, as the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival got underway.
The 11-day festival features hundreds of movie screenings, tributes to stars like Michael B. Jordan and Kate Hudson, and panels with Oscar-nominated screenwriters and casting directors.
The red carpet at Santa Barbara’s Arlington Theater was packed with media as the stars of three movies premiering at the film festival posed for pictures and did interviews.
Ron Pecole of Toronto, Canada, was one of the movie fans watching the excitement.
"I heard Adam Sandler is coming," said Percole. Would he be excited to see him? "Oh, that would make my day," said Percole. But Percole was disappointed to learn Sandler was set to walk the red carpet Thursday night, as he is being honored at a sold-out tribute.
Film Festival Executive Director Roger Durling says this year’s festival has a special twist.
"Every year that we put the festival together feels amazing," said Durling. "But, this year feels particularly special, because now we have a permanent home. We broke ground a year ago, and here we are, we did it!"
The festival spent $15 million remodeling what was known as the Fiesta Five theater complex, turning it into the McHurly Film Center. It will now host most of the festival’s screenings.
