Heather Graham to receive King Vidor Award at 2024 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLOIFF)

Graham's film, 'Chosen Family', which she wrote, directed and stars in, will also be screened.

PUBLISHED APR 11, 2024

Heather Graham attends the world premiere of 'Chosen Family' during the 39th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for SBIFF)

San Luis Obispo, California (Release): The 2024 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLOIFF) has announced that actress/director Heather Graham is this year’s King Vidor Award for Excellence in Filmmaking honoree.

Graham will receive the King Vidor Award at an official ceremony on Saturday, April 27 at the Hotel San Luis Obispo. A noon reception starts the festivities, followed by a 'Conversation with Heather Graham'. A screening of her film, 'Chosen Family', which she wrote, directed and stars in, is scheduled for 5pm at the historic Fremont Theatre.

Heather Graham attends the "Chosen Family" Premiere during the 41st Miami Film Festival at the Coral Gables Art Cinema on April 09, 2024 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Ivan Apfel/Getty Images)

In 'Chosen Family', Ann (Heather Graham), a yoga teacher, struggles with her chaotic family and dismal dating life while battling her inability to say no and fix everyone's problems. Struggling to repair her estranged relationship with her sister Clio (Julia Stiles) Ann relies on her friends Roz (Andrea Savage), Max (Thomas Lennon) and Frances (Odessa Rae) to be her rock and guide her through life’s troubling decisions.

Heather Graham discovered her passion for acting at an early age and caught the attention of filmmakers with her breakout role in Gus Van Sant's 'Drugstore Cowboy', for which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination. She went on to land unforgettable roles in the 1997 classic 'Boogie Nights', for which she received the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance, in 1999's 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me' and in 2009’s 'The Hangover' alongside Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifinakis.

In 2023, Graham could be seen in a variety of films including: 'The Other Zoey', a rom-com from director Sara Zandieh, alongside Andie MacDowell and Patrick Fabian; Netflix’s holiday film 'Best Christmas Ever' with Brandy Norwood, Jason Biggs and Matt Cedeño; 'Suitable Flesh', which is streaming on Shudder, with Barbara Crampton; horror film 'Oracle'; and opposite Dennis Quaid in MGM and LightWorkers’ 'On A Wing And A Prayer'. She also appeared in the Apple TV+ series 'Extrapolations'.

“Heather Graham embodies unwavering support for the independent film industry, earning her status as a beloved icon whose presence we deeply treasure and admire. 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,” said SLOIFF Executive Director Skye McLennan.

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.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the festival takes place in the beautiful Central Coast city of San Luis Obispo, situated halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, from April 25 through April 30.