Editor

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival continues its tradition of honoring the year's standout performers by presenting The 2010 Chopin Virtuosos Award to Carey Mulligan, Saoirse Ronan, Gabourey Sidibe and Michael Stuhlbarg, it was announced today by SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling.  The Award presentation, sponsored by Chopin Vodka, will take place Sunday, February 7 at the Lobero Theatre at the 25th edition of the festival, which runs February 4-14, 2010.

The Virtuosos Award was created to recognize a select group of actors who have distinguished themselves through performances in film this past year.  Last year's recipients for this award were Viola Davis, Rosemarie DeWitt, Sally Hawkins, Richard Jenkins, Melissa Leo and Michael Shannon.

Comments Durling, "These four individuals not only gave us standout breakthrough performances, but they all carry their own individual films - and they all do it virtuosically.  We salute their achievement."

Those actors who were selected to be recognized for their exceptional performances are:  For making her theatrical debut in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire", Gabourey Sidibe brings a genuine truth and vulnerability to the role of Precious. Carey Mulligan's brightness and wit allow her to believably portray the wisely naive Jenny in "An Education." Best known for his talents on the Broadway stage, Michael Stuhlbarg's performance in "A Serious Man" as a suburban father in 1967 whose life crumbles right before him is thought-provoking and allows us to laugh at life's seemingly insurmountable troubles.Saoirse Ronan delivers an exceptionally mature and yet hauntingly gracious performance as Susie Salmon in "The Lovely Bones."  While her territory is both calming and uncharted, she guides us with an expertise indicative of actors with a much more extensive resume.

The SBIFF Virtuosos are the latest to join previously-announced 25th Anniversary Honorees James Cameron, Julianne Moore, Sandra Bullock, Colin Firth, Stanley Tucci, Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard and Christoph Walz.

The Chopin Virtuosos Award Tribute will take place at the Lobero Theatre on Sunday, February 7.  Tickets for the event will go on sale today and can be purchased at a 20% discount through December 31 at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102879184078&s=278&e=001-7SmKgR1sS3GyXMmglEGCfhi-zHFreAmLW2iCL59xNusjH3kYhg-dwXIBvgQdQIk0W5hdfgicdRi8DRtJ3CEDY18j0MDU2dxgWL9PgFgnD_7SuNE5c_pug== or through the Lobero Box Office, 805.963.0761 and the Arlington Theater Box office, 805.963.4408.  Festival Platinum and Cinema Passes are currently on sale exclusively at the Lobero Box Office.  Box Office fees will apply for all Film Festival Passes, Mini-Paks, and event tickets.

Chopin Vodka embodies purity, independence, authenticity, and distinction, qualities which clearly inspired the striking bottle design and which are reinforced by the brand's uniquely creamy, full-bodied flavor from naturally grown potatoes.  2010 will be the third year of Chopin's partnership with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. It will also be the 200th Anniversary of Frederic Chopin's birthday, and to celebrate, the brand will be debuting on the red carpet a 200 Liter bottle -- the largest bottle of vodka ever produced. For recipes and more information about Chopin, please visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102879184078&s=278&e=001-7SmKgR1sS1sgmk95OIOtaJvtmB-86p0YrzU_gOEr3icKexBjrXHqho65ZUjnK-HavPgNlWCunWfyrD4XqeylZt7LjlBk29jMBuYGPAZfpSIytxpsEf47sDNyUcpj2H4 and follow our Twitter feed at http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102879184078&s=278&e=001-7SmKgR1sS0gyj6uvo-ZaLAv3kLHZBvoH6PTGGeebnO_5Tptdi3qi23QurE8J1JZChJ4WX1O6RnNMTD9hudXqEfOVJ7eDWv3enfoKyzX9YlPAUoh5f_I3QTRFmElS7m4

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, set to run February 4 through February 14, 2010, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching local culture and raising consciousness of film as an art form.  SBIFF presents quality American and world independent films, Latin American and Asian sidebars as well as documentary cinema within the beautiful setting of downtown Santa Barbara, a premier tourist destination.  The SBIFF is also committed to education through its 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Field Trip to the Movies, and educational seminars.  With a projected audience of over 70,000 viewing more than 200 films over its eleven-day run, the SBIFF attracts an affluent local and national consumer base, while maintaining strong ties with the entertainment industry in nearby Los Angeles.  For more information, please visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102879184078&s=278&e=001-7SmKgR1sS3GyXMmglEGCfhi-zHFreAmLW2iCL59xNusjH3kYhg-dwXIBvgQdQIk0W5hdfgicdRi8DRtJ3CEDY18j0MDU2dxgWL9PgFgnD_7SuNE5c_pug==.