Outstanding Performer of the Year Award Honoring Michael B. Jordan: SBIFF2026

The Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 41st annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival will honor Michael B. Jordan for his electrifying dual performance as twin brothers Smoke and Stack in Sinners.

Thursday, February 12, 2026
8:00 PM
Arlington Theatre – Santa Barbara

In his fifth collaboration with director Ryan Coogler, Jordan delivers what many critics are calling a career-best turn—make that two. Set in the 1930s Jim Crow-era South, Sinners follows the twin brothers as they return to their hometown and confront a dark, malevolent force. Jordan’s nuanced embodiment of two distinct characters—each with their own rhythms, emotional landscapes, and moral struggles—has been widely praised as virtuosic. The film became a cultural and box office phenomenon, grossing more than $366 million worldwide and marking the biggest debut for an original film since 2019.

Jordan first captured national attention as Wallace in The Wire, followed by his breakout work on Friday Night Lights. His collaboration with Coogler began with the now-iconic Fruitvale Station, earning him an Independent Spirit Award nomination and a Gotham Award win. The partnership continued with Creed, which revitalized the Rocky franchise, and the global phenomenon Black Panther, before culminating in the groundbreaking originality of Sinners.

Beyond acting, Jordan has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most dynamic creative forces. He made his directorial debut with Creed III, which delivered the highest-grossing opening ever for a sports film. He is next set to direct, produce, and star in a reimagining of The Thomas Crown Affair for Amazon MGM Studios. Through his production banner Outlier Society, Jordan continues developing an ambitious and diverse slate of projects while championing inclusion and opportunity in the industry. A TIME 100 honoree and recipient of the Academy Museum’s Vanguard Award, he also leads philanthropic initiatives including the Outlier Society Fellowship and the HBCU Legacy Classic.

The Outstanding Performer of the Year Award celebrates artists who have delivered exceptional performances in film. Past honorees include Ralph Fiennes, Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Will Smith, Adam Driver, Rami Malek, Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Viola Davis, and Charlize Theron.

Join us at the historic Arlington Theatre for a night honoring one of the most compelling and commanding performers working today.