As the 23rd Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced its lineup and program for the 11 days event, the drama comedy movie was chosen to be the opening film.
- Jan 9, 2008
AceShowbiz - Adam Brooks directed-film "Definitely, Maybe" will open the 23rd Santa Barbara International Film Festival as the film festival announced its lineup and program. According to Monstersandcritics.com, the comedy romantic film starring Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher and Abigail Breslin will make its world premiere in the festival that runs from January 24 to February 3.
It was reported that Brooks, Reynolds and Breslin will attend the opening night screening which then followed by a party at Paseo Nuevo in downtown Santa Barbara. Aside from the particular Universal Pictures' film, SBIFF 2008 will also feature 215 movies, including 20 world premieres, 22 U.S. premieres and a varied selection of films representing 49 countries.
The festivities will be closed with the screening of Closing Night will feature Giuseppe Tornatore's "The Unknown Woman" ("Sconosciuta, La"). It would mark the U.S. premiere of the film starring Xenia Rappoport, Michele Placido and Claudia Gerini. "Woman" tells about the mystery and love of a Russian woman, Irena, who calculatedly forces herself into the lives of a young, affluent Italian family.
Events featured in the festival also include a tribute to an Academy Award-winning actress Julie Christie. On Friday, January 25, at the Lobero Theater, SBIFF will present "Tribute To Julie Christie" in which the 66-year-old actress will be joined by notable author Leonard Maltin to talk about her latest film "Away From Her". On the occasion, movie clips and a montage about the English actress will also be previewed.
Next, SBIFF will also feature special Tribute presentations. The 2008 honorees includes Cate Blanchett, Javier Bardem and Ryan Gosling. Blanchett will be honored with the Modern Master Award on Saturday, January 26, Bardem will be given The Montecito Award on Monday, January 28, while Gosling will receive the first-ever Independent Award on Tuesday, January 29. Further, SBIFF will present the Virtuosos 2008 Award to Casey Affleck, Marion Cotillard, James McAvoy, Ellen Page and Amy Ryan on Wednesday, January 30. Other artists awarded with honorary are Tommy Lee Jones with American Riviera Award on February 1, and Angelina Jolie with Outstanding Performance of the Year Award on the next day.
