Hennessy
& Dom Perignon Stars
at Santa Barbara Intl Film Festival
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(r) 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)
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)
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)
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
About Bonnie Carroll
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,
does travel and food reporting on KZSB1290 radio, and contributes
to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle
publications. Her first children's book C.C. Charles was published
in 2002 and she is currently working on a second book. Contact
her at Contact her at writebc@aol.com.