The 30th Santa Barbara International Film Festival will run from January 27-February 7, 2015.

SBIFF managing director Steve Blain is departing the festival after 11 years on April 30 to focus his energies on UCSB and the Health Science Honors Program.   

“Steve’s contributions have been essential to the success of SBIFF,” said SBIFF executive director Roger Durling. “He is an amazing leader, visionary and the best friend every organisation would be fortunate to have.”

The festival will introduce a new summer showcase called The Wave Film Festival, the first of what organisers expect to be an annual five-day celebration of international and independent cinema.

This year’s inaugural event runs from July 16-20 and will focus on French cinema.