Jaafar Jackson, Kate O Flynn, Inde Navarrette and Anthony Ippolito are among eight actors set to receive the Virtuosos Award at the 42nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The honour recognises performers whose work has placed them at the centre of conversations around the year’s most notable cinematic achievements. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, February 7, 2027, at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara, California.
The complete list of honorees includes Carrie Coon, Mariana di Girolamo, Rosalind Eleazar, Jordan Firstman, Anthony Ippolito, Jaafar Jackson, Inde Navarrette and Kate O Flynn. Each actor will be recognised for a specific film performance that has defined their breakthrough year.
What the Virtuosos Award Means at Santa Barbara
The Virtuosos Award is one of the signature honours handed out by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. It is given to a select group of actors whose work in a given year has made them central figures in the awards conversation. The festival describes the award as acknowledging talent whose performances have placed them at the heart of discussions about the year’s most noteworthy cinema.
The award has a strong track record of spotlighting actors who go on to major awards recognition. Past recipients include Zendaya, Austin Butler, Kieran Culkin, Lily Gladstone, Da Vine Joy Randolph, Andrew Scott, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi. The Virtuosos evening has become a key stop on the road to the Oscars, giving audiences and industry voters an early look at the performances shaping the season.
For the 17th consecutive year, the evening will be moderated by Dave Karger, a host at Turner Classic Movies and the author of 50 Movie Nights: Contemporary Stars on Their Favorite Classic Films. Karger will lead the honorees through individual conversations about their work before the group comes together for a joint discussion and the award presentation.
Dave Karger shared his thoughts on this year’s group:
“This year’s Virtuosos are a powerhouse group from the most talked-about films of the season. I think it’s especially fitting that so many of them are international performers, and I can’t wait to help welcome them all to Santa Barbara.”
Jaafar Jackson Honoured for Michael Jackson Biopic Michael
Jaafar Jackson receives the Virtuosos Award for his performance as his uncle, Michael Jackson, in the biopic Michael. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, was released in theatres on April 24, 2026, and became a major box office performer. Jaafar Jackson, the real-life son of Jermaine Jackson, made his film debut in the role.
The biopic traces Michael Jackson’s career from his early days with the Jackson 5 through his rise as a global pop icon. Colman Domingo plays Joe Jackson, and the film explores the complex relationship between Michael and his father while highlighting the music that defined a generation. The film began streaming on Starz in the United States on August 10, 2026, and became available on JioHotstar’s Peacock Hub in India from August 29, 2026.
Prince Jackson, Michael Jackson’s son and an executive producer on the film, has spoken about the importance of the project. He said his father’s legacy means a great deal to him and expressed hope that Jaafar Jackson would receive awards recognition for the role. A sequel to Michael is in development, with Jaafar Jackson set to return as the King of Pop.
Kate O Flynn Recognised for Mike Leigh Drama Tender Loving Care
Kate O Flynn is honoured for her leading role in Tender Loving Care, the latest film from celebrated British director Mike Leigh. O Flynn plays Amy, a child protection worker whose professional life is spent managing other people’s emergencies while her own personal life quietly falls apart.
The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival before screening at the Toronto International Film Festival and the San Sebastian Film Festival. At San Sebastian, Tender Loving Care won a trio of major awards: Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Lead Performance for Kate O Flynn. The film has been widely described as a return to form for Mike Leigh, blending his signature humour with a deeply moving intergenerational story.
O Flynn has built a strong reputation in British television and theatre, including her role in the series Widow’s Bay. Her work in Tender Loving Care has placed her among the leading contenders for best supporting actress recognition in the 2027 awards season.
Inde Navarrette Earns Spotlight for Breakout Horror Hit Obsession
Inde Navarrette receives the Virtuosos Award for her performance in Obsession, the indie horror film written and directed by Curry Barker. Navarrette plays Nikki, a hopeless romantic whose attempt to use a magical wish to make her crush fall in love with her spirals into chaos. Michael Johnston plays Bear, the friend at the centre of the story.
Obsession became one of the most unexpected hits of 2026. The film was produced on a reported budget of $750,000 and shot in just 20 days. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was later acquired by Focus Features. The film is now streaming on Peacock and is available to rent on major digital platforms in the United States, with availability varying by region.
Navarrette received the IMDb Breakout STARmeter Award at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, recognising her extraordinary breakout year driven by Obsession. She has said she is open to returning for a sequel, and fans have responded with enthusiasm to the possibility.
Anthony Ippolito Honoured for Playing Sylvester Stallone in I Play Rocky
Anthony Ippolito earns the Virtuosos Award for his transformation into a young Sylvester Stallone in I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly. The film follows Stallone’s journey to write and star in Rocky, the 1976 boxing drama that went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Ippolito underwent a significant physical, vocal and behavioural transformation to embody Stallone in 1975. The performance has been widely described as star-making. The film won the Audience Award at the Virginia Film Festival and was selected as the surprise movie at the London Film Festival, screening at the Royal Festival Hall. Amazon MGM Studios released the official trailer in October 2026, building anticipation for the film’s theatrical rollout.
Ippolito previously appeared in the series The Offer, which chronicled the making of The Godfather. His work in I Play Rocky has placed him firmly in the best actor conversation for the upcoming awards season.
The Full List of 2027 Virtuosos Honorees and Their Films
The eight actors receiving the 2027 Virtuosos Award represent a wide range of backgrounds and film genres. The complete list, as confirmed by the festival and multiple industry publications, is:
- Carrie Coon for The Liberation
- Mariana di Girolamo for Wild Horse Nine
- Rosalind Eleazar for Misty Green
- Jordan Firstman for Club Kid
- Anthony Ippolito for I Play Rocky
- Jaafar Jackson for Michael
- Inde Navarrette for Obsession
- Kate O Flynn for Tender Loving Care
Carrie Coon, Rosalind Eleazar and Inde Navarrette are competing in the best actress race for their respective films. Jordan Firstman, Anthony Ippolito and Jaafar Jackson are in the best actor conversation. Mariana di Girolamo and Kate O Flynn are positioned as best supporting actress contenders. The diversity of the group reflects the festival’s stated appreciation for international performers, with honorees hailing from the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile and Ireland.
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Festival Dates, Venue and Ticket Information
The 42nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival will run from February 3 to February 13, 2027. The Virtuosos Award ceremony takes place on Sunday, February 7, 2027, at the Arlington Theatre, a historic venue in downtown Santa Barbara. The festival will also use the recently opened SBIFF Film Center for screenings and events.
Beyond the Virtuosos evening, the festival features a full programme of screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels and celebrity tributes held throughout the city. Recently announced tributes include John Malkovich, who will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award, and Andrew Garfield, who will be honoured with the Maltin Modern Master Award.
The 2026 edition of the festival featured more than 200 films, including 46 world premieres and 80 U.S. premieres from 50 countries, according to festival data. The 2027 edition is expected to draw a similar scale of international cinema and industry attention.
Passes for the 2027 Santa Barbara International Film Festival are available for purchase through the festival’s official website, sbiff.org. Individual event tickets and package options are typically released closer to the festival dates.
Keep scrolling VvipTimes for more awards-season coverage and the stories behind the performances everyone is talking about.
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