Santa Barbara fest completes program

The Santa Barbara Film Fest, running Jan. 16-Feb. 5, features the program due to its 27th edition. Nearly 200 films from 44 nations will screen, along with retrospectives for Lawrence Kasdan together with a focus on Warner Bros. archives.Fest will close with Nadine Labaki's Lebanese pic "Which Side We Proceed Now,Inch which won the Toronto audience award. The formerly-introduced opening evening film is Kasdan's "Darling Companion," as the focus gala is impressionistic docu "Samsara," from "Baraka" helmer Ron Fricke."Our program this year reflects invigorating change," remarks SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling. "Once I grew to become part of SBIFF ten years ago, I set to create the festival's program which is sidebars to reflect the city of Santa Barbara just like a city, which is community. This year we've taken that concept much more. There exists a fantastic, awesome, all encompassing program."On Jan. 28, the fest will give you sections on screenwriting, creative women, producers and pointing, with Variety's Peter Bart moderating the helmer's panel.Digitally restored classics within the Warner Archives include "A Clockwork Orange," "Ben Hur" and "Dangerous Liaisons." The Kasdan retrospective includes tests of "Body Warmth," "Grand Canyon" as well as the Large Chill."Among the subject types are Cinema Nouveau for French films, Cinesonic for films about artists, Kolnoa for films on Jewish and Israeli styles, Screen Cuisine and also the the spanish language language/Latin American cinema.Among the honours being granted are audience award, independent film, worldwide feature and docu. Contact Pat Saperstein at pat.saperstein@variety.com