Lineup and dates for San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLOIFF) announced
San Luis Obispo, California (Release): San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLOIFF) has announced this year’s film lineup, led by the Opening Night selection of the critically-acclaimed 'Ghostlight', and Sundance comedy breakout 'Thelma' for the Closing Night selection. The festival runs from Thursday, April 25 through Tuesday, April 30, with an encore presentation in Paso Robles, and virtually, from May 1–5.
Also on tap is the SLO Film Fest’s famous Surf Nite, the popular Central Coast Filmmaker Showcase, Cal Poly Short Cuts, Music Video Showcase, and a special 45th Anniversary presentation of the horror classic, 'Dawn of the Dead' (1978) in association with local film festival MicroHorrors.
Additional programs include short films curated by R.A.C.E. Matters, Filmmakers of Tomorrow, featuring short films by those 18 and under, a collection of shorts from Actor’s Edge school, Coastal Awakening focusing on films reflecting mindfulness, and the 30th Anniversary Series screening festival favorites throughout the years. New this year is the event Community of Skate, debuting with the iconic 'Dogtown and Z-Boys' and the short documentary 4DWN.
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival Director Skye McLennan said, “We take immense pride in the fact that half of the films in competition showcase the creative talents of female-identifying or non-binary filmmakers, and also half of the films spotlight individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. We firmly advocate for the empowerment that arises when individuals seize control of their narratives believe in sharing these visions on the big screen.”
Actor Josh Brolin is leading the Narrative Feature jury alongside Christopher Tung (Netflix), and Wendy Guerrero (Bentonville Film Festival), as well as Narrative Shorts jurors Lissa Khoshbakhti (Disney) and Fanshen Cox (TruJuLo Productions), among others.
More narrative feature film highlights include Slamdance winner, 'African Giants', which introduces two first-generation Sierra Leonean American brothers – one an aspiring actor and the other a second-year law student – as they navigate the changing dynamics of brotherhood and their contrasting views on their heritage after one makes a surprise announcement.
The French feature 'Mr. Blake at Our Service', stars John Malkovich, who arrives at a French Estate and takes on the unanticipated role of butler after realizing the occupants need help. His arrival revitalizes them and prompts them to work together to restore the manor’s former beauty. A Funny and heartwarming coming-of-age film, 'Uproar' follows a rugby-obsessed teen (Julian Dennison) in New Zealand learning to find his voice and awareness of his Māori heritage. It also stars Minnie Driver and Rhys Darby. Another Slamdance winner, 'Good Bad Things', tells the story of Danny, a young man with muscular dystrophy, who steps out of his comfort zone and into the world of online dating.
Documentary features include Best Directing Sundance winner 'Sugarcane' about an investigation into abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school that ignites a reckoning on the nearby Sugarcane Reserve.
The spirited 'Let the Canary Sing' takes the audience on a nostalgic exploration of the life and career of legendary pop icon Cyndi Lauper, with a boisterous narrative anchored by the inimitable Lauper herself. Executive produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, 'We Are Guardians' takes us into the heart of the Brazilian Amazon where thousands are unlawfully invading protected lands for fast profits while Indigenous people fight to protect their ancestral home.
New this year to the festival is Community of Skate, an event that kicks off in the lobby of the Fremont Theater with live music by The Bogeys. An exhibition of skateboards created by the San Luis Obispo High School Advanced Graphic Design Class will be on view along with a demonstration of live-screen printing. The reception is followed by the screening of two films that celebrate the culture and community of skateboarding – the iconic 'Dogtown and Z-Boys' (2001) and the short documentary '4DWN'.
Passes are now on sale and information on the film festival can be found here.