SBIFF McHurley Film Center
Category: Arts & Culture
Address
916 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Details
Development Status: Complete
Estimated Completion: February 2026
Developer: Santa Barbara Film Festival
Photo Credit: Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has officially opened the doors to its first permanent home, the state-of-the-art McHurley Film Center. Following a multi-million dollar, top-to-bottom renovation of the former Fiesta Five complex, the center now serves as a year-round hub for cinema in the heart of downtown. Each of the five theaters—boasting a combined 900 seats—is uniquely styled to honor iconic local venues like the Lobero and the Arlington, and all are equipped with cutting-edge Dolby sound and projection systems. Named in honor of a transformative gift from philanthropists Nora McNeely Hurley and Michael Hurley, the center allows the 40-year-old festival to move away from its historic dependency on theater rentals. The complex celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony just in time for the start of the 2026 festival season.
