From February 3 through the 13 the streets of Santa Barbara were filled with film lovers, food and beverage aficionados. Sponsors and VIPs filled the lobby of the historic Hotel Santa Barbara to share news on the bevy of films being screened, and a milieu of parties hosted film makers, award winners and VIPs to celebrate with beverage sponsored sips and tastes. The Arlington Theatre was home to the Dom Perigon Lounge (known as the green room) were those being honored with awards relaxed before and after award presentations. The Hennessy Lounge was visited by all the celebs as well, where they seemed delighted to take home a signature bottle of Hennessy Paradis Imperial Cognac. The Arlington Theatre was sold out for the eleven nights of the festival and packed with enthusiastic attendees.

The 2016 festival tributes have become a renowned showcase for Academy Award® frontrunners. Panels of the best in film were also a favorite, featuring outstanding writers, performers, and producers.

The 31st event opened with the Premiere of THE LITTLE PRINCE, directed by Mark Osborne and featuring the voices of Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, Paul Rudd, Ricky Gervais, James Franco, Mackenzie Foy and Benicio Del Toro. THE LITTLE PRINCE is based on the classic tale of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

It included The Maltin Modern Master Award for Johnny Depp, Actor/Director, who was presented the award by Scott Cooper, and the interview was done by Leonard Malton. UGG was the sponsor for this award and it was a sell out! Depp visited the Hennessy Lounge following the presentation.

SANTA BARBARA, CA - FEBRUARY 04:  Film Critic Leonard Maltin and ActorJohnny Depp speak onstage at the Maltin Modern Master award tribute during the 31st Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the Arlington Theater on February 4, 2016 in Santa Barbara, California.  (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival)

SANTA BARBARA, CA – FEBRUARY 04: Film Critic Leonard Maltin and ActorJohnny Depp speak onstage at the Maltin Modern Master award tribute during the 31st Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the Arlington Theater on February 4, 2016 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival)

The American Riviera Award sponsored by Engle & Volkers honored Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo for their work in “Spotlight” and was moderated by Roger Durling, SBIFF Executive Director. McAdams was stunning in a Jonathan Simkhai gown.

The Virtuoso Award sponsored by Travel and Leisure was presented to Elizabeth Banks (LOVE & MERCY), Joel Edgerton (BLACK MASS), Paul Dano (LOVE & MERCY, YOUTH), Jacob Tremblay (ROOM), Alicia Vikander (THE DANISH GIRL, EX MACHINA), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON) and Géza Röhrig (SON OF SAUL) in recognition of the year’s emerging film artists. The evening was be moderated by Dave Karger, Chief Correspondent and host of “The Frontrunners” on Fandango. Moderator Dave Karger, and Leonard Maltin presented the their awards.

The Outstanding Performers Award went to Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan. The moderator was Pete Hammond. The Outstanding Performers of the Year Award sponsored by Dom Perignon.  Ronan (wearing a Chloe dress and Jimmy Choo shoes), walked the carpet in Santa Barbara while Brie was regrettably unable to attend in person. She did however Skype into the presentation moderated by Pete Hammond.

Sylvester Stallone displays his SBIFF Montecito Award and signature bottle of the Dom Perignon Lounge (Photo by Michael Kovac/SBIFF/Dom Perignon)

Sylvester Stallone displays his SBIFF Montecito Award and signature bottle of the Dom Perignon Lounge (Photo by Michael Kovac/SBIFF/Dom Perignon)

The Montecito Award was presented to Sylvester Stallone and was sponsored by Hennessy. The night was a total knockout with Sylvester Stallone receiving the festival’s esteemed Montecito Award. Stallone arrived arm and arm with his wife Jennifer Flavin. The in-depth conversation was led by Deadline’s Pete Hammond. At the end of the conversation, the original Apollo Creed Carl Weathers said a few words and present Stallone with the award. Guests then made their way to the festival’s Dom Perignon Lounge to celebrate the evening.

The Variety Artisan Award was moderated by Variety’s Sr. VP Awards Editor, Tim Gray.

The Tribute evening held at the Lobero Theatre celebrated those essential to the film making process and who have exhibited the most exciting and innovative work of the year in their respective fields. They included Carter Burwell, Todd Haynes, Adam McKay, Mark Mangini, John Seale, Patrick Tubach. And Diane Warren, for original song in Radius’ documentary “The Hunting Ground.

Outstanding Director Award honorees included Lenny Abrahams, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Tom McCarthy, Adam McKay, and George Miller who were joined by moderator Scott Feinberg from The Hollywood Reporter to discuss their work and career journeys that had brought them to this award presentation. Outstanding Director Award was sponsored by The Hollywood reporter and was moderated by THR’s Scott Feinberg.

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR HENNESSY- Outstanding Directors of the Year Award recipient Alejandro G. Inarritu (The Revenant) and Rodney Williams CMO Moët Hennessy USA, attend the Hennessy Paradis Impérial Lounge during the 31st Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Thursday, Feb.11, 2016, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision for Hennessy/AP Images)

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR HENNESSY- Outstanding Directors of the Year Award recipient Alejandro G. Inarritu (The Revenant) and Rodney Williams CMO Moët Hennessy USA, attend the Hennessy Paradis Impérial Lounge during the 31st Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Thursday, Feb.11, 2016, in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision for Hennessy/AP Images)

Rooney Mara took home the Cinema Van Guard Award, and arrived wearing a flowing white Givenchy ensemble. arrived at the historic Arlington Theater in a flowing white Givenchy ensemble. She was joined on the red carpet by Carol director Todd Haynes, Mara told the audience that the two actresses had to go to real couple’s therapy to fully explore their dynamic as a divorced pair. Unfortunately unable to attend in person, co-star Cate Blanchett appeared via taped message.

Closing Night showcased Terrance Malick’s experiential KNIGHT OF CUPS at its US Premiere at the Arlington Theatre as the festival’s Centerpiece Film. The highly anticipated film stars Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Frieda Pinto, Isabel Lucas, Imogen Poots, Wes Bentley, Brian Dennehy and Teresa Palmer, among others attended.

Congratulations to Festival Executive Director Roger Durling, the SBIFF Board and Staff on yet another great festival honoring the world of film. A heart felt thank you to the army of Santa Barbara volunteers who donated their time to keep everything moving, the local restaurants participating in the Festival Film Feast that provided delicious bites and sips to festival attendees, and the media from around the world who came to cover the festival. For more details visit: www.sbiff.org.

By Bonnie Carroll

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Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since 1983. She is the founder & publisher of Bonnie Carroll’s Life Bites News (www.lifebitesnews.com), and does travel and food reporting on local radio/TV, she also contributes to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle publications, and is a member of IFWTWA and NATJA. Contact her at writebc@aol.com.