Embedded Files
Interviews and stories from the 54th group of Teen Press Reporters – Winter, 2026.
Stories from
Team 54
Stories from
Team 54
Reporters from Team 54 are covering the 41st SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, running from February 4th - 14th, 2026, with interviews from the red carpet at awards events, film reviews, and filmmaker interviews.
Check the drop-down menus under "HOME" and "FILMMAKERS" for more!
Arlington Artist of the Year Award
Arlington Artist of the Year Award
On February 12, at the red carpet for the ARLINGTON ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD, reporters EDIE and WILLA got to speak with KATE HUDSON, the honoree!
When asked what part of her career path she has learned the most from, Kate’s responded: “I choose to learn from everybody. Like, if I'm not curious, I'm not learning. So for me, it's like every single thing that I've done in my life, whether it's being a mom, a friend, a business partner, a colleague, a peer, is to be curious about their experience and what's going on with them. And then I get to learn from that. And that's sort of my, always my intention, is to go into things with curiosity and…I hope you guys are doing the same thing.”
CODY WESTHEIMER, MALIA WESTHEIMER
CODY WESTHEIMER, MALIA WESTHEIMER
On February 12, at the red carpet for the ARLINGTON ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD, reporters EDIE and WILLA got to speak with CODY WESTHEIMER, the director of "TO MY 14 YEAR OLD SELF", and his daughter MALIA WESTHEIMER.
When asked what they wanted people, especially kids “our age” to get out of the film Cody responded: “for me, this film is all about being present. And kind of opening up to what's around you in a very calm and observational way. For me, being around orcas in the water was just an absolutely profound experience. And I would go back to my room after a day of literally swimming with the orcas in 38-degree water. Cold. I would go back cold, first of all. But I would also just be kind of like crying a bit. Like trying to figure out what feelings I'm going through, and just the awe. And it resulted in me writing this letter to my 14-year-old self, because that's when it all started.”
GWYNETH PALTROW
GWYNETH PALTROW
On February 12, at the red carpet for the ARLINGTON ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD, reporters EDIE and WILLA got to speak with GWYNETH PALTROW, presenter of the award.
When asked what part of her career path was her favorite, she responded, “My favorite thing that I've done, like my favorite movie that I've done. Hmm... It would probably have to be a movie called "The Royal Tenenbaums". Maybe you haven't seen that yet, but I highly recommend it.
TALIA SHEA LEVIN
TALIA SHEA LEVIN
On February 12, at the red carpet for the OUTSTANDING PERFORMER OF THE YEAR AWARD, reporters TENZIN and XIMENA got to speak with TALIA SHEA LEVIN, producer of the short film "XOLO".
When asked about a challenge during filmmaking, Talia responded in part "...this film stars the writer/director Matthew Serrano's own dog,...And we had to create this whole character around him, and...[had to]get him to run from place to place, get him to dance when we told him to dance, paint him..."
YAEL GRUNSEIT
YAEL GRUNSEIT
On February 12, at the red carpet for the OUTSTANDING PERFORMER OF THE YEAR AWARD, reporters TENZIN and XIMENA got to speak with YAEL GRUNSEIT, the writer/director of "DADDY'S LITTLE MEATBALL". Yael immediately said she had some questions for the reporters!
She said that the film was based on some of her own experiences. When asked about moving to New York from Australia, Yael talked about it being "...really hard at first, definitely. But I found a really awesome community of filmmakers in New York."
SAM JANG-MILSTEN
SAM JANG-MILSTEN
On February 12, at the red carpet for the ARLINGTON ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD, reporters EDIE and WILLA got to speak with SAM JANG-MILSTEN, producer of the short film, "DADDY’S LITTLE MEATBALL".
When asked what it was like producing this film, he talked about making good friends despite the stressful circumstances of filmmaking.
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