Fans Find Front Row Memories with Hollywood’s Biggest Stars at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Thousands of film fans are able to get the closest look at movie stars they could have ever imagined when they come to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Upon arrival prior to their special tributes at the Arlington Theatre, many celebrities exit a special vehicle that takes them into a protected area surrounded by metal railings, and with that loud cheers erupt.
It’s the kind of scream that comes from excited die hard fans who are within reach of their favorite actors for the first and maybe the only time.
These fans patiently wait along the railings with cell phones loaded on the camera mode or with movie memorabilia hoping they will get a signature.
The lucky ones get a picture or an autograph and often turn around with a gushing reaction of enthusiasm. Some are smiling broadly. Some are jumping up and down. Some are in tears.
“I was just screaming as hard as I could,” said Santa Cruz resident Makenzie Bennett who came face to face with Adam Sandler. “I got my Happy Gillmore sign signed. I watched all 50 seasons of SNL. It means a lot to me.”
Siena Pastoria held up an orange jersey. “He signed the jersey from the Waterboy, Bobby Boucher yeah!”
Actor Ethan Hawke also spent time with the fans. “I said Ethan I came from really far away, please take a photo with me and he did . He is amazing. He is a really sweet guy,” said Emily Rodriguez who said she was in Mexico six months ago.
An interaction is never guaranteed. There are “regulars” who stake out their spots up to three hours in advance and hold the location even as the crowds gather on several sides.
“I started way up front where the barricades were so I was able to get Leo. I thought Benicio would sign but he went the other way. It’s no big deal. I’m glad I got Mr. Di Caprio instead that’s who I really wanted,” said longtime fan Gabe Donovan. “Watching at three years old I didn’t know who he was or Kate but as I got older, I knew Leo was from Titanic. There it is, he said pointing to the autograph on a Titanic script. “I am so thankful.”
The festival has a variety of ways to enjoy movies, seminars, educational sessions and just the glimpse of some of the top actors of the year. The gatherings around the Arlington are one of the closest opportunities. Sometimes the honoree is right in front of you, and sometimes a longer stretch between the rail and the red carpet which is about 50 feet away.
“The people who work at SBIFF they have done an amazing job facilitating this. I can’t thank them enough,” said a film fan named Will from New Hampshire was on the railing and thrilled with the access he had.
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