Film Festival Benefits Westmont Fire Victims

The 24th Annual Santa Barbara Film Festival has designated the Westmont College Wildfire Relief Fund as the beneficiary of donations at the festival’s Third Weekend. In keeping with SBIFF’s commitment to the local community through film, these three days, Feb. 6-9, offer exceptional programming to local residents free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at the Riviera Theatre, 2044 Alameda Padre Serra. Local residents get the rare opportunity to view the festival award winners and special programs courtesy of the film festival and Metropolitan Theatres. In addition, a free screening has been added Thursday, Feb. 5, at 8 p.m. in the Metro Theatre as part of 1st Thursday, the downtown art and cultural program.

The Wildfire Relief Fund provides support for the college and those within the Westmont community who have suffered uninsured losses from the Tea Fire, and covers costs for cleanup and rebuilding as well as other expenses related to the disaster. Gifts received in excess of fire-related needs will go to the Westmont Annual Fund.

The November Tea Fire destroyed eight structures on the Westmont campus, including the physics and psychology buildings and three residence hall structures. The blaze also destroyed 15 faculty homes and the house of a retired professor. In all, the fire displaced 18 professors, nine staff members and 62 students.

Two donation boxes for the Wildfire Relief Fund will be available at the Riviera and Metro Theatres for community support.