Michael B. Jordan, in recognition of his acclaimed portrayal of two characters in Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster Sinners, will be the recipient of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival‘s Outstanding Performer of the Year Award in early 2026, the fest announced Friday. The festival has previously honored him with its Virtuosos Award in 2014 and Cinema Vanguard Award in 2019.
Jordan will collect his award on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 12, following a career retrospective conversation with clips of his work, at Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre.
The 38-year-old is best known for his five collaborations with Coogler, the others being 2013’s Fruitvale Station, 2015’s Creed, 2018’s Black Panther and 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. A former child actor who broke through on the groundbreaking TV drama series The Wire and Friday Night Lights, his other notable film credits include 2018’s Fahrenheit 451, 2019’s Just Mercy, 2021’s Without Remorse and 2023’s Creed III.
“I have been a stalwart Michael B. Jordan fan since his days on The Wire, and now he’s a bonafide box office star giving one of the year’s most intricate performances — make that two — in Sinners,” SBIFF’s executive director Roger Durling said in a statement. “He does incredibly nuanced work creating two specific characters — the brothers Smoke and Stack — and when they interact with each other, it’s pure alchemy. We’re pleased to honor him with our Outstanding Performer of the Year Award.”
SBIFF’s Outstanding Performer of the Year Award was created to celebrate “select individuals who have distinguished themselves with exceptional performances in film.” Past recipients include Ralph Fiennes, Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett (twice), Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis, Sacha Baron Cohen, Adam Driver, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan, Steve Carell, Jennifer Lawrence, Viola Davis, James Franco, Colin Firth, Penélope Cruz, Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Heath Ledger, Kate Winslet and Charlize Theron.
The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place Feb. 4-14, 2026.