Santa Barbara Announces Complete 2012 Lineup, Closes with Toronto Winner 'Where Do We Go Now?"

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which runs January 26-February 5, has announced its complete lineup of 197 films for its 27th edition.

Nadine Labaki's "Where Do We Go Now?," the Audience Award-winner at the Toronto International Film Festival, will close out the festival. The U.S. premiere of Ron Fricke's "Samsara," a follow-up to his meditative documentary montages "Baraka" and "Chronos," will be the festival's Centerpiece Gala film.  

As previously announced, Santa Barbara will host the world premiere of Lawrence Kasdan's "Darling Companion," starring Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline, as the opening-night film.

Among the festival's many honorees are "The Help" star Viola Davis, "Beginners" star Christopher Plummer, Martin Scorsese and "The Artist" leading couple Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo.

Also receiving Virtuosos Awards are actors Demian Bichr, Rooney Mara ("The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"), Melissa McCarthy ("Bridesmaids"), Patton Oswalt ("Young Adult"), Andy Serkis ("Return to Planet of the Apes) and Shaliene Woodley ("The Descendants").

Among the festivals many events are two hosted by Indiewire's Anne Thompson: A conversation with Viola Davis and a screenwriters' panel.

Sidebars spotlight films from French directors, sound on film, Jewish and Israeli cinema, food on film and Spanish/Latin American Film.

This year will also mark the festival's first year hosting an acquisitions program.  As previously reported, from January 27-29, the festival and LA film production and sales company Traction Media will host special buyers screeenings of selected films.

The Independent Features category, whose winner takes home a camera package worth $60,000 will be a race between the following contenders:

• "An Oversimplification of Her Beauty," Terence Nance (US)
• "Behold the Lamb," John McIlduff (UK)
• "For Ellen," So Yong Kim (US)
• "I'm Yours," Leonard Farlinger (Canada)
• "Mighty Fine," Debbie Goodstein (US)
• "Sassy Pants," Coley Sohn (US)
• "The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best," Ryan O'Nan (US)
• "The Kill Hole," Mischa Webley (US)
• "Think of Me," Bryan Wizeman (US)
• "Up There," Zam Salim (UK)
• "Vinyl," Sara Sugarman (US)

The complete lineup and list of events can be found on the Santa Barbara International Film Festival website.