The McHurley Film Center will transform Santa Barbara into a year-round hub for cinematic discovery, creativity, and connection.
A World-Class Cinema Celebration
Each winter, the Festival brings top filmmakers and Oscar contenders to Santa Barbara. The McHurley Film Center will elevate this experience and ensure it thrives for decades to come.
A Permanent Home for Film & Education
SBIFF has successfully operated the Riviera Theatre for nearly a decade, but this new downtown location expands that vision dramatically. The McHurley Film Center will connect film, education, and community in one cultural landmark.
Education for All
More than 18,000 students, families, and educators benefit annually from SBIFF’s free programs. The McHurley Film Center will strengthen and expand these opportunities—offering hands-on learning, film appreciation, and skills training for underrepresented and underserved communities.
The Transformative Power of Film
Art sparks imagination and opens new ways of thinking. Stories foster empathy, broaden perspectives, and provide joy, healing, and resilience. Shared artistic experiences build community bonds, while engaging with film encourages self-expression and reflection.
Revitalizing Downtown
By bringing 6,000+ screenings a year, film-themed art exhibits, and family-friendly programming, the McHurley Film Center will draw visitors, support local businesses, and energize the cultural heartbeat of Santa Barbara.
This landmark project will not only secure the future of the Festival—it will leave a lasting legacy for the city, its residents, and generations of storytellers to come.
A World-Class Cinema Celebration
Each winter, the Festival brings top filmmakers and Oscar contenders to Santa Barbara. The McHurley Film Center will elevate this experience and ensure it thrives for decades to come.
A Permanent Home for Film & Education
SBIFF has successfully operated the Riviera Theatre for nearly a decade, but this new downtown location expands that vision dramatically. The McHurley Film Center will connect film, education, and community in one cultural landmark.
Education for All
More than 18,000 students, families, and educators benefit annually from SBIFF’s free programs. The McHurley Film Center will strengthen and expand these opportunities—offering hands-on learning, film appreciation, and skills training for underrepresented and underserved communities.
The Transformative Power of Film
Art sparks imagination and opens new ways of thinking. Stories foster empathy, broaden perspectives, and provide joy, healing, and resilience. Shared artistic experiences build community bonds, while engaging with film encourages self-expression and reflection.
Revitalizing Downtown
By bringing 6,000+ screenings a year, film-themed art exhibits, and family-friendly programming, the McHurley Film Center will draw visitors, support local businesses, and energize the cultural heartbeat of Santa Barbara.
This landmark project will not only secure the future of the Festival—it will leave a lasting legacy for the city, its residents, and generations of storytellers to come.