Santa Barbara's
Non-Profit Arthouses

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and educational organization. Over the past 40 years, SBIFF has become one of the leading film festivals in the United States. In that time, we have brought the best of independent and international cinema to Santa Barbara, and we have expanded our operation to include a wide range of educational programming, fulfilling our mission to engage, enrich, and inspire people through the power of film. We celebrate the art of cinema and provide impactful educational experiences for our local, national, and global communities.

THE RIVIERA THEATRE

In June 2016, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival entered a new era with the acquisition of the beloved Riviera Theatre. After a $5 million dollar capital campaign and renovation, the Theatre is SBIFF’s state-of-the-art theatre showing new international and independent films every day. Originally, the Theatre was an auditorium building designed by architect Alfred Eichler in 1926 as part of the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Mesa Campus.

THE FILM CENTER

In October 2024, SBIFF announced that after successful negotiations with the City of Santa Barbara and its City Council, SBIFF acquired a long-term lease to 916 State Street (previously the Fiesta Five theatre) in Downtown Santa Barbara. SBIFF launched a $25 million dollar capital campaign and renovated the space into SBIFF's Film Center. Opening February 2026, it will be a vibrant year-round destination for film lovers and a central hub for our annual Film Festival. It will provide an upgraded experience, including state-of-the-art sound and projection, new comfortable seating, high-quality concessions including local artisanal snacks, brand new heating and air conditioning, an art gallery in the lobby, and much more. This new investment exemplifies SBIFF’s identity as an important leader in the worldwide cinematic landscape and a commitment to the well-being of the city of Santa Barbara.

“This is one of the most important chapters in the history of SBIFF and just as we're celebrating forty years of its existence. This is a huge leap forward for the organization while simultaneously helping with the revitalization of the downtown corridor of Santa Barbara. We've successfully run a year-round art house, the Riviera Theatre, for the past eight years. Now we will have five more screens to mindfully curate, and we will redefine people's idea of what a sophisticated movie going experience is all about. At SBIFF, our mission has always extended beyond film; we've used cinema as an educational tool. Now, with this expanded canvas, we can inspire and educate on an even grander scale!” stated SBIFF Executive Director, Roger Durling.

“The renovation of the Fiesta 5 theater by SBIFF will create immediate cultural and economic benefits for the downtown. The added foot traffic will bring vitality and vibrancy to the center of State Street, the heart of our city’s business district. We’re excited to bring this infusion of culture and art to the center of our downtown” stated Santa Barbara Mayor, Randy Rowse.

This film mecca will year-round show foreign films, independent cinema, documentaries, retrospectives of classic films and important filmmakers, family programming, as well as free educational and community programming. It will serve as a place for discourse, education, and community, with a commitment to presenting diverse social, political, historical, and cultural realities.