The 40th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival honored Angelina Jolie with the Maltin Modern Master Award on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, in front of a sold-out audience of 2,000 at the Arlington Theatre. The prestigious award, SBIFF’s highest honor, recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact on the film industry.

Film critic Leonard Maltin, who has hosted the event for years, led an engaging conversation with Jolie, covering her decades-spanning career and most memorable films, including:

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

Jolie reflected on her journey as an actress and filmmaker, sharing insights into the roles that shaped her career. She spoke passionately about Cambodia, a country that became deeply personal to her after filming Tomb Raider. She later adopted her son Pax from Cambodia and was granted Cambodian citizenship, forging a lifelong connection to the region.

Her latest film, Maria, in which she portrays opera legend Maria Callas, was a major highlight of the evening. Critics have praised her powerful and nuanced performance, calling it one of the most significant transformations of her career.

“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,” Maltin remarked.

Over the years, the Maltin Modern Master Award has recognized some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Robert Downey Jr., Cate Blanchett, and Denzel Washington. Jolie’s tribute at SBIFF was not only a celebration of her incredible career but also a testament to her lasting influence on cinema.

For more information about the festival visit FilmDrops.com.