About
About the festival
The SLO Film Fest brings independent cinema to audiences on California’s Central Coast and is part of the year-round work of the SLO Film Center.
Our history
1993
The First Festival
The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival was founded by local attorney Mary A. Harris and launched in 1993 with support from the City of San Luis Obispo, Jim Dee and the Palm Theatre. The first King Vidor Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Filmmaking went to director George Sidney.
2007
A Growing Tradition
Wendy Eidson became Artistic Director and led the festival as Festival Director until 2021. Under her it grew to more than 100 films a year, spread across the county with Hollywood & Vines and Surf Nite, and kept classics, silent films and panels in every program.
2021
A New Chapter
Skye McLennan became Executive Director, with Wendy Eidson as Artistic Director.
Our mission
To expand minds, open hearts, and entertain people through worldwide independent cinema.
Our vision
Provide a year-round destination for international independent cinema, promoting diversity, understanding, education, and inclusion through engaging storytelling. Our world-class annual festival in San Luis Obispo County, along with events throughout the year at the SLO Film Center, provide a venue for international and local filmmakers, exposing an ever-expanding range of audiences to new ideas and experiences.
Staff and board
SLO Film Center staff
Skye McLennan
Executive Director
Grace Tucker
Associate Director
Ryan Burr
Head of SLO Film Center Programming
Talha Hussaini
Theater Manager
Elizabeth Kurrels & Rhiannon Dudley
Graphic designers
Ann Flower
Publicist
Board of directors
Maria Kelly
Board Chair
Suzanne Schonig
Vice Board Chair
Tom Walters
Treasurer
Kyle Plummer
Secretary
Meg Higdon
Board member
Nina Leschinsky
Board member
Chelsea O’Connor
Board member
Rodney Ott
Board member
Asit Rairkar
Board member
Emily Ryalls
Board member
SLO Film Center
Our year-round film center
New releases, series and events at the Palm Theatre, Thursday–Monday.
King Vidor Award
We present the King Vidor Award as an annual tribute to a talented filmmaker, actor, or film artist in recognition of his or her exceptional artistic contributions to the motion picture industry and to filmmaking in general.
- Bob Mackie · 2025
- Heather Graham · 2024
- Rick Carter · 2023
- Dale Dickey · 2022
- Lawrence Kasdan · 2020
- Alfred Molina · 2019
Press room
News, press releases and the press kit
Diversity and inclusion
Our commitments
Competition jury
Jury membership changes by festival year.
Jobs
No open positions right now.