SLO Film Festival is celebrating 30 years of movies. What’s in store this year?
Calling all cinephiles!
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.
Organizers announced the schedule for the 2024 festival on Wednesday in a news release.
Here are some of the highlights.
When is SLO International Film Festival?
The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival runs April 25-30 at venues across San Luis Obispo County.
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.
What movies are playing?
The San Luis Obispo Film Festival kicks off on Thursday, April 25, with an Opening Night reception at the Fremont Theater in downtown San Luis Obispo featuring food, wine and live music by IMVA.
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.
The documentary follows three elite surfers who travel to remote destinations “searching for pristine waves and an escape from the stress of constant competition,” the festival’s website said.
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.”
As of Wednesday, the festival had yet to announce this year’s recipient of the King Vidor Award, its highest honor.
How much are ticket prices?
Tickets cost $12 to $15 for regular film fest screenings or $20 to $25 for special events.
Festival fan packs cost $40 to $80, and festival passes cost $120 to $350.
For more information, call 805-546-3456 or visit slofilmfest.org.
