Adam Sandler to receive Santa Barbara Film Festival Maltin Master Award

Adam Sandler is finally getting his props.

Sandler has been announced as this year’s recipient of the Maltin Modern Master Award on February 5, 2026 at the 41^St annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival where he will join Leonard Maltin for an on-stage conversation about his work and career.

Known for his comedic roles dating back to his days on Saturday Night LiveSandler continues to show his impressive dramatic range in his latest film, Jay Kelly from Academy Award-nominated director Noah Baumbach. Playing the role of a manager to George Clooney’s movie star character in the film, critics have praised him for what has clearly been another step in his evolution as a dramatic actor.

“Adam Sandler won me over when he sang ‘The Hanukkah Song’ on SNL, then amassed a huge following in tailor-made movies like The Waterboy and The Wedding Singer. I love that he left his comfort zone and delivered powerful performances Uncut Gems and Jay Kelly. I can’t wait to share the stage with him in Santa Barbara,” said Maltin.

The Modern Master Award was established in 1995. Created to honor an individual who has enriched our culture through achievements in the motion picture industry, it was re-named the Maltin Modern Master Award in 2015 in honor of long-time SBIFF moderator and renowned film critic Leonard Maltin. Past recipients include Academy Award-winning actors Angelina Jolie, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, Robert Downey Jr., Denzel Washington, Cate Blanchett, George Clooney, and Christopher Plummer, and acclaimed filmmakers including Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, Clint Eastwood, and Peter Jackson.

Over the past thirty years Adam Sandler has enjoyed phenomenal success as a comedian, actor, writer, producer and musician. He was most recently seen reprising his iconic role as hockey player turned professional golfer Happy Gilmore in Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2the long-awaited sequel to the 1996 comedy classic, which smashed viewing records as the biggest US opening weekend of all time for a Netflix film. Sandler also recently starred in the Netflix film Spacemanalongside Carey Mulligan and Paul Dano, as well You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah. He also voiced the lead character and co-wrote the animated film Leo which became the streamer’s biggest animated film ever. In 2022, he starred in Hustle nor Stanley Sugerman which earned him a Gotham Award and a Screen Actors Guild Nomination. His role as Howard Ratner in the Safdie Bros.’ critically acclaimed A24 film Uncut Gemsgarnered Sandler several nominations and awards, including wins from the National Board of Review and the Independent Spirit Awards.

Sandler’s films have grossed more than $3 billion worldwide and include box office hits such as Grown Ups, Big Daddy, The Longest Yard, The Waterboy and Hotel T. Over his career, Sandler has received nominations for two Critics Choice Awards, two Gotham Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, five Emmy Awards and three Grammy Awards for his multiple comedy albums which have gone multi-platinum and collectively sold more than six million copies. Sandler also received the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

This marks the second SBIFF tribute for its upcoming festival. Previously announced was Michael B. Jordan, recipient of the Performance Of The Year honor for his role(s) in Sinners.

The 41^St Santa Barbara International Film Festival will take place February 4 – February 14, 2026. Official events including screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and celebrity tributes, will be held throughout the city, including at the historic Arlington Theater and at the soon-to-be-completed SBIFF Film Center.