Actor, writer, producer, and comedy legend Will Ferrell will receive the 17th annual Kirk Douglas Award For Excellence in Film this year.  Presented by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.  the prestigious award, recognizes a lifelong contributor to cinema through their work in front of the camera, behind, or both.  There ceremony, which benefits SBIFF’s year-round educational programs, will take place on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at a Black-Tie dinner and fundraiser. Over the past 39 years, SBIFF has become one of the top 10 film festivals in the United States – attracting 100,000 attendees and offering 11 days of 200+ films, tributes and symposiums, fulfilling their mission to engage, enrich, and inspire the Santa Barbara community through film.

Ferrell’s Honor Marks Testament to His Comedic Talent

Ferrell, given his success and brilliance in most of the biggest comedies of the past twenty years, is an apt, but perhaps not obvious recipient of the award. Past honorees span Ryan Gosling, Michelle Yeoh, Martin Scorsese, Hugh Jackman, Dame Judi Dench, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Harrison Ford, Quentin Tarantino, and John Travolta. Though the aforementioned actors are all celebrated for their ability to perform comedy as well drama, the fact that Ferrell’s focus on comedy throughout his thirty year career is notable. The multifaceted powerhouse began his journey on “Saturday Night Live” and quickly rose to stardom with iconic performances in films such as Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby, Elf, Step Brothers, Stranger Than Fiction and most recently, the global hit Barbie.

Perhaps lesser known for his work behind the camera,  Ferrell is also the co-founder of Gloria Sanchez Productions along with producing partner Jessica Elbaum. Since its inception, the production company has also been credited with Hustlers, Booksmart, May December, and the hit Netflix series “Dead to Me”. All films and shows have not only been commercial successes, but garnered critical acclaim and numerous award nominations.

Next up, Ferrell takes a step away from narrative storytelling in the upcoming documentary “Will & Harper”. In the film, a Sundance favorite, Ferrell’s good friend of 30 years, Harper Steele, comes out as a trans woman. The pair embark on a road trip to process this new stage in their friendship and reintroduce Harper to the country she loves as her authentic self. This documentary is Ferrell’s seventh collaboration with Harper Steele, who began collaborating on “Saturday Night Live”. 

SBIFF to Celebrate 40 Years in 2025

The presentation of Ferrell with the Kirk Douglas Award promises to be a night full of laugher and genuine heart. Last year’s event in honor of Ryan Gosling included megastar speaker Greta Gerwig and Steve Carrell. With the 40th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival to take place in February of 2025, the Kirk Douglas Award promises to be a star-studded taste of what SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling and team has in store for the festival. Last year, the festival’s program included 200+ films from over 48 countries with honorary awards feted on A-list talent.

Official events at SBIFF including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be held throughout the city, including at the historic Arlington Theatre. Passes for the 2025 Festival are on sale now at sbiff.org.