Santa Barbara International Film Fest Honors 2022 Oscar Nominees

SANTA BARBARA, CA — The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) celebrated its 37th edition this year with a slate featuring 48 world premieres and 98 U.S. premieres from 54 countries in a memorable return to in-person SBIFF events.

As one of the premiere film festivals in the world, SBIFF is famous for its tribute galas, honoring world-class filmmakers, actors and artists in recognition of their cinematic achievements from the last year.

This year is no different as the festival organizers proudly presented tributes and honors to Oscar contenders Kirsten Stewart (American Riviera Award), Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis (Outstanding Performers of the Year Award), Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman (Maltin Modern Master Award), Kenneth Branagh and Paul Thomas Anderson (Outstanding Directors Of The Year Award), Benedict Cumberbatch (Cinema Vanguard Award) and Penelope Cruz (Montecito Award). (See red carpet photo arrivals below.)

Other honorees include the winners of the Virtuosos Award: Caitriona Balfe, Ariana DeBose, Jamie Dornan, Alana Haim, Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Simon Rex and Saniyya Sidney.

Finally, Variety Artisans awards were presented to Lin-Manuel Miranda, Frederic Aspiras, Göran Lundstrom, Tamara Deverell, Germaine Franco, Greig Fraser, Paul Massey, Kelly Port, Peter Sciberras, Jacqueline West and Bob Morgan.

On March 12, the SBIFF announced juried winners for its 37th edition, proclaiming the Irish-language film "Róise And Frank" as the winner of the festival's Audience Choice award. Among the juried winners at this year’s festival were Jon-Sesrie Goff’s "After Sherman" for Best Documentary, and Shawkat Amin Korki’s "The Exam" ("Ezmûn") for the Jeffrey C. Barbakow Award for Best International Feature Film. (See the full list of winners below.)

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival will return for the 38th edition next year.

The 2022 SBIFF Red Carpet Arrivals

Penélope Cruz attends the Montecito Award Ceremony during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 8, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California.

Kristen Stewart is honored at the American Riviera Award tribute during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 4, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California.

Will Smith attends the Outstanding Performers of the Year Award tribute during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 6, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California.

Aunjanue Ellis attend the Outstanding Performers of the Year Award tribute during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 6, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California.

Benedict Cumberbatch attends the Cinema Vanguard Award ceremony during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 9, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California.

Jane Campion attends the Cinema Vanguard Award ceremony during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 9, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California.

Javier Bardem attends the Maltin Modern Master Award ceremony during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 10, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California.

Kodi Smit-McPhee attends Outstanding Directors of the Year Award during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 3, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California.

Kenneth Branagh attends Outstanding Directors of the Year Award during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 3, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California.

Lin-Manuel Miranda attend the Variety Artisans Award presentation during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 7, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California.

Tamara Deverell attends the Variety Artisans Award presentation during the 37th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at Arlington Theatre on March 7, 2022, in Santa Barbara, California.

The 2022 SBIFF Award Winners

Audience Choice

• "Róise And Frank"

Documentary Short Film

• "Lalito 10"

Bruce Corwin Award (Best Live-Action Short Film)

• "No Ghost in the Morgue" ("Pas de fantôme à la morgue")

Bruce Corwin Award (Best Animated Short Film)

• "The Shaman’s Apprentice"

Best Documentary

• "After Sherman"

Jeffrey C. Barbakow Award (Best International Feature Film)

• "The Exam" ("Ezmûn")

Middle Eastern/Israeli Film

• "You Resemble Me" ("Tu me ressembles")

Nordic/Dutch Film

• "Miss Viborg"

Nueva Vision Award for Spain/Latin America Cinema

• "9"

Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema

• "Scarborough"

Social Justice Award for Documentary Film

• "Geeta"

ADL Stand Up Award

• "Our Words Collide"