Grab your cameras and start acting pretentious, because Variety has included our very own Santa Barbara International Film Festival on its list of “50 Unmissible Film Festivals”. Apparently SBIFF is actually cool enough to merit inclusion on the international list, joining the ranks of such major film-fests as Cannes and Sundance.

Variety writes that “With a strong lineup of Oscar-contending films -- both domestic and foreign--this jewel of a California coastal town sells out screenings and always draws heavyweight filmmakers, stars and producers for panels and galas.” You hear that? We live in a jewel of a coastal town! Well, technically most of us live in I.V. or the dorms, but we’re right next to the jewel of a coastal town, so by association we should at least be considered a smaller jewel in the metaphorical tiara of film-fests.

What does this mean for you? You now have the right to say, “no autographs, please!” if an admiring fan, such as a policeman who wants you to sign a speeding ticket, approaches you. He should respect your celebrity status, as you now live in a city that's never been officially annexed by a town that has a top film festival; you're better than that!