Michael B. Jordan will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in early 2026, in recognition of his acclaimed dual portrayal in the film Sinners. The announcement was made on Friday, with the festival having previously honored him with the Virtuosos Award in 2014 and the Cinema Vanguard Award in 2019.
Jordan is set to accept his award on Thursday, February 12, following a career retrospective at Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre, which will include clips from his extensive body of work.
The actor, now 38, has made a significant mark through five collaborations with director Ryan Coogler, which include the celebrated films Fruitvale Station (2013), Creed (2015), Black Panther (2018), and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). His breakout role came as a child actor on the pioneering TV series The Wire and Friday Night Lights.
“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,” said SBIFF executive director Roger Durling 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.”
The Outstanding Performer of the Year Award has been established to recognize individuals who have achieved excellence in film performances. Recipients of this honor in past years include luminaries such as Ralph Fiennes, Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett (twice), and Will Smith.
The 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival is scheduled to take place from February 4 to February 14, 2026.
Based on reporting by Hollywood Reporter. Read the full story at Hollywood Reporter.