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PETER JACKSON TO RECEIVE MODERN MASTER AWARD AT 19th SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival will present this year's Modern Master Award to the director/producer/writer of the "Lord of the Rings" Trilogy, Peter Jackson, it was announced today by Festival Director, Roger Durling. Says Durling, "When I first came on board, I was asked who would be my choice for Modern Master. I could think of only one name that perfectly exemplified a Modern Master and that is Peter Jackson. My dream has come true. Christmas has arrived for me!"

The festivities will take place on Saturday, January 31, at the historic Arlington Theatre, with a presentation produced by Paul Fagen. Tickets will go on sale January 5 at the Arlington Theatre Box Office, 805-963-4408, or via Ticketmaster.

The Modern Master Award is the highest honor presented by the SBIFF. It was established in 1995, created to honor an individual who has enriched our culture thru his/her accomplishments in the motion picture industry. Jackson's outstanding contributions to the film industry as a director, producer, writer and actor epitomizes his commitment to the audience, as well as his devotion to the tradition of quality filmmaking. Past recipients include Jodie Foster, Michael Douglas, Anthony Hopkins, Sean Penn, Jeff Bridges and Diane Keaton.

The SBIFF will also be screening one of Peter Jackson's early horror films: "Dead Alive" later that evening on Saturday, Jan 31 in its CULT CLASSICS sidebar.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching local culture and raising consciousness of film as an art form. It presents quality American independent, Spanish and Latin American, EuropeanWorld and Documentary cinema within the beautiful setting of downtown Santa Barbara, a premier tourist destination. SBIFF is also committed to education through its Master Class Program, Field Trip to the Movies, Kids' Fest, and educational seminars. With a projected audience of over 40,000 viewing more than 150 screenings over its ten-day run, SBIFF attracts an affluent local and national consumer base, while maintaining strong ties with the entertainment industry in nearby Los Angeles. For festival information, log onto www.sbfilmfestival.org.