Focus on Film and More

First some reminders of the film festivals taking place this weekend, which include NatureTrack’s truncated offering on November 5 at the Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria, and the second annual Wild & Free fest that expands beyond Goleta’s screens to a gala event at the Bacara, and a special outdoor walking panel, among other special offerings November 6-8. Also, the Ojai Film Festival, with its new artistic and executive team, has its final four days November 5-8, with highlights including a 50th anniversary screening of Taxi Driver with Director Paul Schrader on hand for a Q&A and to receive the inaugural Ojai Film Festival Storyteller Award on Saturday afternoon, and then back at the theater in the evening for his latest effort, The Basics of Philosophy. 

Next up: The Santa Barbara Surf Film Festival, which opens its sixth annual event with a return to its original venue of the Arlington Theatre on November 12, when Santa Barbara native Tom Curren, the surfing pioneer who has appeared in more than 100 surf films and has been inducted into the Surfers Hall of Fame. The program also features screenings of several short films from local filmmakers and the world premiere of kelp forest warning shot Harvest to Heal with a Q&A, before the focus shifts to the Funk Zone for community screenings and events November 13-14. 

Visit www.santabarbarasurffilmfestival.com

SBIFF Announces Virtuosos 

Add an octet of actors to the already posted list of honorees at the 2027 SBIFF, which takes place in early February. One of the best events at the fest, the Virtuoso Awards recognize up-and-coming or otherwise standout performances of the year, this time featuring Anthony Ippolito of I Play Rocky; Carrie Coon of The Liberation; Jaafar Jackson who stars in Michael; Jordan Firstman of Club Kid; Inde Navarrette from Obsession; Kate O’Flynn of Tender Loving Care, Mariana di Girolamo of Oscar fave Wild Horse Nine, and Rosalind Eleazar from Misty Green. Expect Oscar nominations for at least a few of them. 

Creative Revolution Comes to Carrillo Rec

Santa Barbara Birth Center has an unusual benefit event on Saturday, November 7, with the Creative Revolution Tour stopping at Carrillo Recreation Center, where artist Flora Bowley leads a day for people to “Make things with your hands, move your body, share, laugh, and simply enjoy being in a room full of humans doing human things.” 

It’s the final stop of Bowley’s first-ever tour, visiting six cities spanning 7,500 miles. 

“In a culture that often values consumption over creation and division over connection, this is our soulful rebellion,” she says on her website. “For one full, sacred, joyful day, we’ll put down our phones, pick up art supplies, let go of perfection, and remember how good it feels to embrace the tender, honest, beautiful parts of being alive… together. No art skills required.”  

Visit https://florabowley.com/retreats/creative-revolution-tour-santa-barbara