This week the new thing I did was… I went to see a film at the SBIFF!

The SBIFF (Santa Barbara International Film Festival) takes place every year in Santa Barbara and the local theaters show the films. This was the 34th Film Festival in Santa Barbara. The films that I went to see were based on the Oil spill in 1996 off the coast in Santa Barbara and the Montecito January 9th debris flow last year.

My mom and I were invited by the director of the second film that was shown (the one for the Montecito debris flow and a bit on the oil spill). This film is called Better Together and was directed by Isaac Hernández. It is about how the community here in Santa Barbara got together and rose above the tragedies. The community in Santa Barbara gathers and supports each other, stands up for what is right, and fights against what is wrong.

One of the main groups that are highlighted in the Film is the Bucket Brigade. They grouped together and decided to dig a lady’s house out after the Debris flow. When the community saw the group start, more people joined and everyone tried to pitch in with the ways that they were able to. The Bucket Brigade dug out trees, houses, and dug looking for many other things. That group is full of amazing people. They don’t go out digging for themselves they do it for others in the community. They are the embodiment of selflessness.

The film was inspirational and informative. It showed that a community is better together, united against anything that is thrown it’s way.

I really enjoyed watching the two films that were shown. After this year, the film was interesting to watch and see the big picture of how our community helps each other through hard times. If every community in the world surrounded and supported each other the way Santa Barbara does the world would be a better place.

Still, I wish that I had seen more Films this year. I have never been to the SBIFF before even though I have lived here for a lot of my life and I really wish I had. The films that were shown look really interesting and I will for sure go to see some more at next years festival.

If you live near or in Santa Barbara, you should definitely go see some of the films next year!

Till next time…

Have any of you been to the SBIFF or have something like it near you? If so, feel free to share about it in the comments below!