PHOTOS: Jeff Bridges, Mackenzie Foy Attend THE LITTLE PRINCE U.S. Premiere

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival kicked off its 31st year with the U.S. premiere of THE LITTLE PRINCE.

The Dude, also known as Jeff Bridges, was joined by co-star Mackenzie Foy and director Mark Osborne with a rollicking crowd and hundreds of onlookers at Santa Barbara's historic Arlington Theater. Bringing up the lights in the auditorium to the full house, festival director Roger Durling ushered Osborne to the stage who continued the presentation noting his wife, who introduced him to the novel, was the original inspiration for making the film.

Remarking that his wife was not the only member to contribute to the film, the director revealed his daughter was also an inspiration for the young girl and his son was THE VOICE of the little prince. Quite the family affair! Bridges, a resident and longtime friend of the festival, stated he was excited to spend some time in town watching films.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival and it's jurors including Sean Baker, James Morrison, Johannes Kuhnke, Neil Konigsberg, Margaret Lazarus, Geoffrey Cowper, Alan Marshall, Anthony Zerbe, Perry Lange, Mimi deGruy and Phyllis de Picciotto, celebrated the premiere and OPENING DAY at a packed Gala at Paseo Nuevo outfitted by Bella Vista Designs.

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