The 40th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) paid tribute to Angelina Jolie on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, as she received the Maltin Modern Master Award in front of a packed audience of 2,000 at the Arlington Theatre. The festival’s highest honor recognizes individuals who have made an enduring impact on the film industry, and this year’s celebration was one of SBIFF’s most anticipated events.

Legendary film critic Leonard Maltin hosted the evening, guiding an in-depth discussion about Jolie’s career, choices, and evolution as an artist. The conversation revisited several of her most memorable films, including:

• Hackers
• Gia
• The Bone Collector
• Girl, Interrupted
• Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
• The Good Shepherd
• Changeling
• Salt
• Maleficent
• Maria

Jolie also shared her deep connection to Cambodia, a country she fell in love with while filming Tomb Raider. She later adopted her son Pax from Cambodia and was granted Cambodian citizenship, an experience that profoundly shaped her personal and humanitarian work.

The evening highlighted Jolie’s latest role in Maria, where she portrays opera icon Maria Callas. Critics have widely praised her performance for its depth and emotional complexity, calling it one of her most transformative roles to date.

“Angelina Jolie makes bold choices, both as an actress and as a director. She sets the bar high in both disciplines and always comes through,” said Maltin.

The Maltin Modern Master Award has previously been given to cinematic legends such as Robert Downey Jr., Cate Blanchett, Denzel Washington, and Christopher Nolan. Jolie’s recognition at SBIFF further solidifies her legacy as an artist, humanitarian, and trailblazer in the film industry.

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