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The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLO Film Fest) will once again attract stars, great films and film enthusiasts to the Central Coast of California, when it celebrates it's 33nd Annual festival, happening April 22-27, 2027.
Located half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo's laid-back vibe and serene natural beauty is the perfect setting for this highly regarded annual film celebration. Filmmakers rave about the warmth and attentiveness that is so much a part of the SLO Film Fest experience, as does the swelling tide of industry pros and film critics who are fast discovering the Festival's thoughtful audiences and unique programming sensibility.
There are three categories of competition at the SLO Film Fest. The George Sidney Independent Film competition is open to filmmakers worldwide, all ages and all genres (including, Music Videos, Episodics and Horror). The Central Coast Filmmaker Showcase is open to producers, writers and/or directors living in San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Santa Barbara counties. And the Filmmakers of Tomorrow Showcase is open to youth filmmakers, grades K-12, with films 7 minutes or less.
ABOUT OUR PROGRAMMING: Our audiences are most attracted to thought-provoking documentaries as well as gripping narratives. We are constantly looking to bring in new audiences and thus pushing our programming to appeal to multi-generational groups with a focus on increasing diversity in order to showcase more perspectives. When programming, we are heavily considering who is behind the screen and why they felt the need to tell this story. Have you seen this story before? Is this a new perspective? Our screeners are largely community members, avid film watchers and alumni filmmakers. A minimum of three screeners review the films before the film gets passed to our programming committee to review. Our final slate of programming is based on a number of factors including timing, theme and tone as well as considering if it will be an overall good fit for the upcoming festival.
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.
Named for renowned director George Sidney, longtime supporter of the SLO Film Fest and indie filmmakers during his lifetime, this film competition has become popular thanks to filmmakers from all over the world submitting exciting new films of all genres, lengths and subject matter. We program more than 80% of our Festival by choosing the very best films from these submissions. SLO Film Fest is able to offer to its audiences a wide variety of contemporary, thought-provoking cinema and over 85% filmmaker attendance at their screenings. Great scenery, friendly, intelligent audiences, industry reps and wonderful hotels await you in beautiful San Luis Obispo
The SLO Film Fest audiences LOVE shorts and thanks to filmmakers from all over the world submitting exciting new films of all genres and subject matter, the SLO Film Fest is able to offer to its audiences a wide variety of diverse, thought-provoking cinema with over 85% filmmaker attendance at their screenings. Great scenery, friendly, intelligent audiences, industry reps and wonderful hotels await you in beautiful San Luis Obispo. (Under 40min)
Filmmakers with films that were produced, directed or written by residents in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Monterey counties are invited to submit their films through Hiike, for a discounted entry fee, for possible screening in the Central Coast Filmmakers Showcase. The same film cannot be entered in the George Sidney Independent Film Competition however. A separate set of jurists will choose a selection of films to be screened as “local” films. If the “local” film is entered in the George Sidney Independent Film Competition it will be judged by the SLO Film Fest Programming Committee along with all other entries from around the world. If a film is entered in this category but the filmmakers are not residents of one of the three counties listed above, the entry will be disqualified.
This Film Competition is made up of three categories: High School (9-12), Middle School (7-8), and Primary School, (K-6). Films selected for screening at the April 2027 SLO International Film Festival will compete for cash prizes in the following categories: Best Documentary Best Narrative Best International Best Animated Competition Rules: This competition is open to students still attending elementary, middle, or high school from all over the world. Students currently attending college and college student films are not accepted into this competition. All entries must include a copy of school identification. Submissions in all categories must be received by November 30th, 2026. All films submitted must have a completion date after March 1st, 2025. All films must be a maximum of 7 minutes. Longer ones will not be considered for screening. All music used should be fully credited at the end of the film.
Now in our sixth year, we are excited to continue to showcase creative new music videos in a variety of musical styles. We will host at least one evening of official selections and professional musicians and music video producers will judge. All entries should be under 7 minutes and videos will be accepted from filmmakers worldwide, with special awards for videos that highlight Central Coast musicians.
Submissions in this category may include documentary or narrative series of any genre. An Episodic Series is defined as a fiction or non-fiction work designed for serialized, online, or broadcast storytelling. Creators may submit multiple episodes, provided the total runtime does not exceed 40 minutes, or a single episode up to 30 minutes in length. Both web-based series and traditional television episodes are eligible. Selected works will be featured as part of an episodic showcase, with final selections and episode choices determined by the festival’s programming team. Episodic submissions must be subtitled in English.
Skye McLennan
Executive Director
Grace Tucker
Associate Director