Four of this year’s five best director Oscar nominees — Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value) and Chloé Zhao (Hamnet) — will each be fêted by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival with the fest’s outstanding director of the year award, The Hollywood Reporter can exclusively report.
The four will sit down — individually and then as a group — with yours truly on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theater.
“Ryan, Josh, Joachim and Chloé represent the wide breadth of contemporary filmmaking,” SBIFF executive director Roger Durling said in a statement. “In their Oscar nominated films, they each demonstrated an extraordinary command of craft and storytelling, creating work that is both deeply personal and globally resonant. At a time when audiences are craving bold voices, these directors have delivered films that challenge, inspire and elevate cinema. We are honored to celebrate their achievements.”
The outstanding director of the year award celebrates filmmakers whose singular vision and command of craft have shaped the cinematic conversation. Recent recipients have included Jacques Audiard, Sean Baker, Brady Corbet, Coralie Fargeat, James Mangold, Martin Scorsese, Justine Triet, Todd Field, Martin McDonagh, Paul Thomas Anderson, Kenneth Branagh, Jane Campion, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Steven Spielberg, David Fincher, Lee Isaac Chung and Thomas Vinterberg.
The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place Feb. 4-14, 2026.
