Happy summer! Hope you’re finding ways to handle heat wherever you may be!
The SLO Film Fest is excited to announce that we are now accepting new films for the 2019 Festival and we look forward to finding an exciting new program of movies and special guests in the coming months.
All details for submitting to our three competition categories can be found by clicking here. There is the George Sidney Independent Film Competition open to filmmakers all over the world, any film genre or length is acceptable. Then there’s the Central Coast Filmmaker Showcase, open to filmmakers (writer, director and/or producer) who live in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Monterey counties. We also have a youth-oriented category called Filmmakers of Tomorrow, and that is open to young filmmakers 18 yrs. and younger.
If you’re a movie lover who thinks you’d be a good addition to our Screening Committee, we will be looking to add new people in the fall, so please send us an email to let us know you’re interested. We look for a wide variety of people with eclectic tastes, so we’ll send you an application with some information about this volunteer position. Please send your enquiry to info@slofilmfest.org with “Screener” in the subject heading.
I’m delighted to announce that we have a new staff member and a new board member joining our team for the 2019 season!
Grace Tucker with a couple of happy “Filmmakers of Tomorrow” at the 2018 Festival.
Cal Poly grad, Grace Tucker, worked with us last year as a Festival Assistant and was quickly dubbed “Amazing Grace” by staff and volunteers. Grace was just promoted to Assistant to the Director, and former incredible Assistant Nancy Ross Joynt will be focusing on Volunteer Coordination and assisting Grace when needed. Chris Aho continues as Development Director, John Wildman as publicist and Barry Goyette will create more inspired designs and photography for our special 25th Anniversary festival. What a team!
Of course that team also includes a dedicated board of directors and we are very excited to welcome Christine Williams this year!
Christine Williams was born and raised in Chicago, Il, and moved to Pismo Beach in 2011 with her husband Bob. Christine had retired from a successful 30-year career as a health care business development executive, working at CIGNA, United HealthGroup, Medline and CVS. She particularly excelled at, and enjoyed working with, Fortune 500 companies, employer alliances and joint ventures.
A passionate supporter of the Arts, Christine has served on various Theatre Boards including the Raven Theatre located in Chicago, Solvang Theaterfest (Solvang, CA), and SLORep (formerly: SLO Little Theatre. She and Bob have been fervent supporters of the SLO Film Festival, volunteering in various roles and Bob has been thrilled to have a few of his films shown as part of the Central Coast Filmmakers’ Showcase.
An urban dweller in Chicago throughout her life, Christine has an intense and impassioned sense of community. She is excited about the opportunity to use her sales skills and love of “the hunt” to help the Film Festival raise funds for its wonderful contributions towards enhancing the culture of the San Luis Obispo area.
To find out more about all of our exemplary board of directors, click here!
Lastly, I am happy to share this fun memory of our last festival’s Women Belong in the Kitchen event which was turned into an episode for Teri Bayus’ foodie cable show, “Tastebuds.” The event brought together a wonderful mix of female Central Coast chefs, restaurant owners and wine makers, as well as the film and filmmaker that inspired the event – Joanna James and A FINE LINE. To relive the fun of that Sunday afternoon event, click here!
That’s it for now! Stay tuned for news coming soon about a few fall fundraising events you won’t want to miss.
Stay out of the heat…and I’ll see you at the movies!
Wendy Eidson
SLO Film Fest Director
Join us for the “hanging” tonight (Wednesday, May 30) at 5pm!
In case you missed it, today’s Tribune article by Sarah Linn echoes a recent news blast from us. 
Overall ticket and pass sales increased 11% over 2017. Festival attendance increased again by 9% this year to 12,500 admissions, and festival sponsorships increased by 35% over 2017.
The next evening, Robin Swicord received the Spotlight Award from Festival founder, Mary Harris and then spoke with Variety’sJenelle Riley about her career as a screenwriter in Hollywood.
The Festival also partnered with Cal Poly and Allan Hancock College to present a special screening of 2018 Oscar Documentary nominee, LAST MEN IN ALEPPO, with Syrian filmmaker Feras Fayyad in attendance for a memorable Q&A. Proceeds of more than $1400 were donated to the White Helmets, the heroic subjects of the documentary.
Congratulations to all the winners in the following competition categories. Winning film in the George Sidney, Central Coast and Audience Award categories will play this week, from Monday-Thursday at the Downtown Cinemas.