Santa Barbara Indie Film Fest
Press & Media
Media Coverage
2025 Festival
"Indie Film Gets Its Spotlight, Third Time Around"
The Santa Barbara Independent - September 12, 2025
by Josef Woodard
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The Independent previewed our third annual festival, highlighting our mission to support independent, local, and youth filmmakers. The article praised the "sturdy artistic trend" and "caliber and creative resourcefulness of films screened."
"Having visited last year, I was impressed with the festival operation, its vibe and the caliber and creative resourcefulness of films screened."
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Key highlights from the article:
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Festival founder Dave Haws's vision to create an intimate alternative to larger festivals
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Focus on giving independent and youth filmmakers a platform
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Strong local film component with works from 805 filmmakers
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Positive reviews of several 2025 films including Ownership, Ventura Nights, and Liminal
"Indie Fest Returns"
Montecito Journal - September 23, 2025
By Steven Libowitz
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The Montecito Journal featured our third annual festival, highlighting the growth from our first year and our mission to showcase independent and student filmmakers.
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"Now in year three, the event continues to grow as a celebration of fearless filmmaking. The festival's slate now runs a full 41 films, with a few narrative and documentary features mixed in with short films spanning multiple genres plus a dedicated category highlighting local filmmakers."
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The article covered festival founder Dave Haws's background in the film industry and the festival's commitment to providing a platform for filmmakers "who might not have a voice anywhere else."
"From Seaside Escapes to Secret Spots: 10 Hidden Gems in Santa Barbara, CA"
Redfin Blog - 2025
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The Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival was featured in Redfin's guide to hidden gems in Santa Barbara, highlighting the festival as a standout event that celebrates storytelling and creativity.
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"One standout is the Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival, a celebration of storytelling and creativity that brings together filmmakers, artists, and audiences from around the world. It's the kind of event that not only supports local creatives and small businesses, but also highlights the city's creative pulse."
The Santa Barbara Indie Film Fest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating independent, local, and youth filmmakers.
Founded in 2023 by filmmaker Dave Haws, the festival provides a platform for emerging voices in cinema and has grown each year, with our 2025 edition achieving record-breaking attendance.
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