Actor Heather Graham named SLO Film Festival’s King Vidor Award winner

The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival has named this year’s King Vidor Award winner: actor and director Heather Graham.

Graham will receive her award at a ceremony on Saturday, April 27, at Hotel San Luis Obispo.

The festivities begin with a noon reception, followed by a “Conversation with Heather Graham” at 1 p.m. Her film, “Chosen Family,” which wrote, directed and stars in, will be screened at the Fremont Theatre at 5 p.m.

Graham, known for roles in 1999’s “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” and 2009’s “The Hangover,” with Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis, received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her part in Gus Van Sant’s “Drugstore Cowboy” and the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance for the 1997 classic Boogie Nights.

In 2023, she appeared in “The Other Zoey,” “Best Christmas Ever,” “Oracle” and “On a Wing and a Prayer.”

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Graham also wrote and directed “Half Magic” in 2018.

“Chosen Family” made its world premiere at the 2024 Santa Barbara Film Festival.

Graham is set to star opposite Tom Hopper in “Place of Bones,” which is set for a 2024 release.

“Heather Graham embodies unwavering support for the independent film industry, earning her status as a beloved icon whose presence we deeply treasure and admire,” said SLOIFF Executive Director Skye McLennan. “We are honored with the privilege of not only acknowledging her remarkable contributions but also reveling in the spirit of this extraordinary woman. As the festival has been led by women for three decades, we’re honored to celebrate our anniversary with an incredible talent.”

Past recipients of the King Vidor Award for Excellence in Filmmaking include Lawrence Kasdan, Pam Grier, Josh Brolin, Peter Bogdanovich, Jeff Bridges, Ann-Margret, Morgan Freeman, Eva Marie Saint, and Robert Wise, among many others.

King Vidor was a longtime San Luis Obispo County resident who holds the record in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest career as a film director.

Tickets to the King Vidor Ceremony are $25 or $20 for film society members and students.

Highlights of this year’s SLO Film Festival

The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary with screenings of more than 125 movies, plus receptions, panel discussions and red carpet events.

There’s also an encore festival at Park Cinemas in Paso Robles on May 1-5, featuring festival films, wine tastings, food and filmmaker question-and-answer sessions.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, April 25, with an Opening Night reception at the Fremont Theater featuring food, wine and live music by IMVA.

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That’s followed by a screening of “Ghostlight,” about a construction worker who rediscovers his purpose through a local stage production of “Romeo and Juliet,” also at the Fremont.

Surf Nite in SLO is back at the Fremont on Friday, April 26, with drinks, live music from surf band Riff Tide and the screening of “Trilogy: New Wave” with director Andrew Mackenzie.

Returning for the fourth year in the row, the Music Video Showcase features music videos and awards plus a live performance by San Luis Obispo rock band Krooks. That takes place at Kreuzberg California, 685 Higuera St. in San Luis Obispo, on Saturday, April 27.

Also on April 27 is a late-night screening of classic horror movie “Dawn of the Dead” at the Fremont, presented as part of the Red Eye Cinema series. The zombie flick, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, follows a group of survivors seeking refuge from the undead at a shopping mall.

Skateboarding is the focus of the new Community of Skate event on Sunday, April 28, at the Fremont, featuring screenings of the iconic documentary “Dogtown and Z-Boys” and short film “4DWN.”

Also planned are live music by The Bogeys, a showcase of custom skateboard designs and a post-movie discussion with director Danny Schmidt and professional skateboarders Stacy Peralta, Rob Cahill, Mike Crum and Kareem Campbell.

The Film Festival wraps up Tuesday, April 30, at the Fremont with a Closing Night award ceremony for winning festival films as well as a screening of “Thelma,” about a phone scam victim who embarks on a journey to reclaim her money.

Also in store are the Central Coast Filmmakers Showcase, a short film series presented by RACE Matters and showings of retro favorites including “Double Indemnity,” “Big Night” and “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”

The SLO Film Festival runs from April 25-30. For more information, call 805-546-3456 or visit slofilmfest.org.