LOS ANGELES — Four years ago, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival took place shortly after fires and subsequent mudslides left the region devastated. The next year, a deluge of rain closed Highway 101, leading to postponed events and Viggo Mortensen hopping into an airplane in Camarillo so he could make it to a festival tribute in time.
Last year, the COVID pandemic forced the festival to go virtual, save for a couple of drive-ins that ran programmed films.
So, talking to festival Executive Director Roger Durling, you can sense a palpable relief that this year's festival is looking like it's returning to normal — or as close to normal as things get these days.
