A Morning with Roger Durling (SBIFF, 2012):USA

Review by Bethany Burns, Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2012

I walk into a room and there he is, head to toe dressed in black. Soft features hidden behind tinted blue glasses, water bottle in hand ready and waiting to answer all of our questions. Roger Durling, executive director of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival has taken an hour out of his day to sit down and chat with the students enrolled in the SBIFF class at Santa Barbara City College.

He tells us the story of his journey from Panama and of his love for film. He is reserved and collected, not a proud man simply a passionate one.  Upon completion of his masters degree in Theater Literature at Columbia, he moved to Los Angeles to become a playwright.  Alas Los Angeles was not the city for Roger and he moved to the small town of Ojai where  he opened up a small french cafe.  Staying true to his love for film he would always inform his patrons of the best films to go and see. This love for film carried over throughout his time at the cafe, until the day came where it was time for Roger to step into his role as a film festival director.

When the opportunity arose for him to take over the SBIFF, he accepted graciously agreeing to work for free for the first year to break the festival from its $100,000 debt.  Never taking no for an answer Rogers diligence and persistence has helped him to gain the respect and loyalty of the thousands of people involved in making the SBIFF a success year after year.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for the things you want-the worst thing that can happen is that somebody will say no” he tells us ” But you should never take no for an answer.”  It is apparent to all of us that his diligence and persistence have allowed him to create an amazing festival experience for us all.

On top of his responsibilities to the festival, Roger also teaches film studies courses at Santa Barbara City College, and encourages his students involvement in the festival.  Be it submitting student films, working on his staff or volunteering, Roger inspires many students to follow their own passion for film whatever it may be.

A man who always views a glass as half full, we could all learn a lesson or two in turning our dreams into reality from him. He created himself as a brand, all the way down to the style of his hair and the shade of his glasses. He learned how to turn the quiet loner he always felt that he was, into a man who can command the attention of a room just by walking into it.  In the hour I spent listening to him speak I learned so much about the power of passion and enthusiasm, and the beauty that can grow from believing in yourself.