Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Adam Sandler To Be Honoured At Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The award season has just kicked off with your favourite Hollywood stars taking home their well deserved trophies at the 2026 Golden Globes for their contribution to the world of cinema. The streak of taking the awards home contunues with The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). The organisers have unveiled its full lineup for the 2026 edition, and it promises to be one of the most star-studded and globally inclusive festivals to date. Scheduled to run from February 4 to February 14, the 41st edition will honour some of the most influential names in contemporary cinema, includingLeonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Adam Sandler and Benicio del Toro. Known for its commitment to independent and international filmmaking, SBIFF continues

to position itself as a key platform for artistic discovery while celebrating established talent.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Adam Sandler and more to be conferred at SBIFF

As reported by Variety, the 2026 SBIFF will showcase an impressive slate of 46 world premieres and 80 U.S. premieres, focusing on storytelling from across the globe. Beyond DiCaprio, Penn, and del Toro, the festival will honour a wide range of talent across genres and generations. Tribute recipients include Adam Sandler, Jacob Elordi, Chase Infiniti, Amy Madigan, Wagner Moura, Renate Reinsve, Sydney Sweeney, Teyana Taylor, Jeremy Allen White, Stellan Skarsgård, and Michael B. Jordan. These recognitions underscore SBIFF’s tradition of celebrating both established icons and emerging voices in film and television.

More about Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The festival will open with the U.S. premiere of Nicola Rinciari’s A Mosquito In The Ear, starring Jake Lacy, Nazanin Boniadi, and Ruhi Pal. Rinciari and co-writer Emily Dillard are expected to attend the screening in person. The closing night film will be the U.S. premiere of Zamo Mkhwanazi’s Laundry (Uhlanjululo), featuring performances by Ntobeko Sishi and Tracy September, with the director also joining the festival.The 2026 edition marks a significant milestone for SBIFF with the grand opening of its new permanent home, the McHurley Film Center, located on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. The venue will host screenings and conversations during the festival and will continue operating year-round as an arthouse cinema alongside the historic Riviera Theatre.