The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) announced the award-winning films for the 36th edition with Jeff Harasimowicz’s “Alaskan Nets” winning the Audience Choice Award. Jeff Harasimowicz commented, “To say we are thrilled to win the audience choice award would be a vast understatement. To see this film resonate with audiences is a deeply humbling experience.”

Other top awards went to Nina Stefanka’s Mirage (Miraggio) for Best Documentary, Nisan Dağ’s When I’m Done Dying for Best International Feature Film and Alanna Brown’s Trees of Peace for Independent Cinema. Alanna Brown’s Trees of Peace also won the The ADL Stand Up Award.

“We were so happy to have persevered and have brought a strong slate of films and a sense of continuity with this years’ SBIFF. We look forward to seeing you all in person next year,” said Roger Durling, SBIFF executive director .

Winners of 36th Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Audience Choice Award sponsored by The Santa Barbara Independent
Jeff Harasimowicz’s ALASKAN NETS

Best Documentary Short Film Award
Richard Reens’s PANT HOOT

Bruce Corwin Award – Best Live-Action Short Film
Christopher Oroza-Nostas’s SAVIOR

Bruce Corwin Award – Best Animated Short Film
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson’s KAPAEMAHU

Best Documentary Award sponsored by SEE International
Nina Stefanka’s MIRAGE (MIRAGGIO)

Jeffrey C. Barbakow Award – Best International Feature Film
Nisan Dağ’s WHEN I’M DONE DYING

Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema
Alanna Brown’s TREES OF PEACE

Nueva Vision Award for Spain/Latin America Cinema
Eduardo Crespo’s WE WILL NEVER DIE

Valhalla Award for Best Nordic Film
Henrik Ruben Genz’s ERNA AT WAR (ERNA I KRIG)

Social Justice Award for Documentary Film
Michael Webber’s THE CONSERVATION GAME

The ADL Stand Up Award sponsored by ADL Santa Barbara/Tri-Counties, the Skinner Social Impact Fund, and Steve and Cindy Lyons
Alanna Brown’s TREES OF PEACE