Eight performers whose breakthrough work in 2026 has put them in Oscar contention will receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Virtuosos Award in early 2027. The honorees are Carrie Coon, Mariana di Girolamo, Rosalind Eleazar, Jordan Firstman, Anthony Ippolito, Jaafar Jackson, Inde Navarrette and Kate O’Flynn.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 7, at the historic Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara. Before receiving their awards, the performers will discuss their work in individual conversations and then come together for a group discussion. The event will take place during the festival’s 42nd edition, which runs from Feb. 3 through Feb. 13, 2027.
Three of the selected performers are in the best actress conversation. Coon is being recognized for The Liberation, Eleazar for Misty Green and Navarrette for Obsession. Their selection brings together three of the eight films represented by this year’s recipients, whose backgrounds vary widely.
The best actor contenders among the honorees are Firstman, Ippolito and Jackson. Their respective films are Club Kid, I Play Rocky and Michael. Completing the group are di Girolamo and O’Flynn, who are considered best supporting actress frontrunners for their performances in Wild Horse Nine and Tender Loving Care, respectively.
Dave Karger will lead the Virtuosos evening for the 17th consecutive year. A TCM host, Karger is also the author of the new book 50 Movie Nights: Contemporary Stars on Their Favorite Classic Films. He will moderate the conversations ahead of the awards presentation.
In a statement, Karger described the recipients as a “powerhouse group from the most talked-about films of the season.” He also highlighted the international performers among the honorees and expressed enthusiasm about welcoming the full group to Santa Barbara.
The new recipients join a roster of previous Virtuosos honorees that includes Teyana Taylor, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, Renate Reinsve, Wagner Moura, Wunmi Mosaku and Inga Ibsdotter-Lilleaas. Kieran Culkin, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Mikey Madison and Lily Gladstone have also received the recognition.
Other past honorees include Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Andrew Scott, Austin Butler, Danielle Deadwyler, Ke Huy Quan, Jeremy Strong, Ariana DeBose, Alana Haim, Troy Kotsur, Riz Ahmed and Zendaya.
