Will Ferrell to Receive Kirk Douglas Award For Excellence in Film at 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is honored to announce that actor, writer, producer, and comedy legend Will Ferrell will be receiving the 17th annual Kirk Douglas Award For Excellence in Film. 

The award, which benefits Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s year-round educational programs, will be presented on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at a Black-Tie dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. This marks the third time since the passing of screen legend Kirk Douglas that the honor will be awarded.

“Comedy is the hardest and you make it look easy Will. Congratulations! Dad loved you!” stated Michael Douglas. 

Ferrell can next be seen in the Gloria Sanchez Productions and Netflix’s upcoming documentary, one of this year’s crowd favorites at Sundance Film Festival, Will & Harper. In the film, which just screened at the Telluride Film Festival and will be at the Toronto International Film Festival, Ferrell’s good friend of 30 years, Harper Steele, comes out as a trans woman. The pair embark on a road trip to process this new stage in their friendship and reintroduce Harper to the country she loves as her authentic self. This documentary is Ferrell’s seventh collaboration with Harper Steele, having previously worked together on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, where Ferrell was a cast member for multiple years, as well as projects such as Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, The Royal Wedding Live with Cord and Tish!, The Ron Burgundy Podcast, Funny or Die, and Old Milwaukee Campaign.

Along with producing partner Jessica Elbaum, Ferrell is also the co-founder of Gloria Sanchez Productions. In 2020, the company announced a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix on the heels of the incredible overnight success of the Emmy-nominated series “Dead to Me.” The production shingle set a multi-year first-look deal with 20th Century Studios in 2021. Since its inception, the production company has also been credited with Hustlers, Booksmart, May December, Theater Camp, Spirited, and Barb & Star Go To Vista del Mar, all of which garnered critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. 

Since 2006, the annual Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film has been awarded to a lifelong contributor to cinema through their work in front of the camera, behind, or both. Last year’s honorees were Robert Downey Jr., Bradley Cooper, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Giamatti, Jeffrey Wright, America Ferrera, Lily Gladstone, Greta Lee, Charles Melton, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Andrew Scott, Martin Scorsese, Justine Triet, Billie Eilish, Ludwig Göransson, Jennifer Lame, and Rodrigo Prieto. 

The 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place live and in person February 4 – February 15, 2025. Official events including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be held throughout the city, including at the historic Arlington Theatre. Passes for the 2025 Festival are on sale now at sbiff.org.