WILD BILL: HOLLYWOOD MAVERICK (1995)
NOT AVAILABLE DURING THE VIRTUAL ENCORE FESTIVAL. A NOTE FROM MARY HARRIS, SLO FILM FESTIVAL FOUNDER: This terrific documentary was the first winner of the Festival’s George Sidney Independent Film Competition in its inaugural year, 1996. It explores the life and career of director William Wellman, who directed the first film to win Best Picture, […]
THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT (1994)
NOT AVAILABLE DURING THE VIRTUAL ENCORE FESTIVAL. A NOTE FROM SKYE MCLENNAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (2021-PRESENT): As a young girl, the first time I watched this film was a revelation. It transported me to the desolate, yet strangely rich outback where my grandparents and father had lived. The characters boldly navigated conservative mining towns and embraced […]
RIDING GIANTS (2004)
NOT AVAILABLE DURING THE VIRTUAL ENCORE FESTIVAL. A NOTE FROM WENDY EIDSON, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (2006-2021): The First Surf Nite.I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with Surf Nite. The much-loved signature festival event began in March 2006 and immediately became the Festival’s most successful event ever (and still is!), but it didn’t have an easy […]
PURSUIT OF EQUALITY (2005)
NOT AVAILABLE DURING THE VIRTUAL ENCORE FESTIVAL. A NOTE FROM WENDY EIDSON, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (2006-2021): Skye asked me to suggest a film that was pivotal in my career and this documentary jumped out in my mind as just that. I was the Artistic Director my first year with the festival and was hired in late […]
MURIEL’S WEDDING (1994)
NOT AVAILABLE DURING THE VIRTUAL ENCORE FESTIVAL. A NOTE FROM SKYE MCLENNAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (2021-PRESENT): MURRIEEEEEEL! Another Aussie staple and favorite of mine, MURIEL’S WEDDING draws us into her world of love and imagination. Muriel’s quest for love and acceptance takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions. With its blend of humor, heartache and hope, […]
DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)
NOT AVAILABLE DURING THE VIRTUAL ENCORE FESTIVAL. A NOTE FROM MARY HARRIS, SLO FILM FESTIVAL FOUNDER: This classic film noir from 1944 was shown the first year of the Festival, in 1993. It’s one of the first films I saw from that genre and has remained a life-long favorite. Directed by Billy Wilder, with screenplay […]
DERSU UZALA (1975)
NOT AVAILABLE DURING THE VIRTUAL ENCORE FESTIVAL. A NOTE FROM JIM DEE, PALM THEATRE OWNER: World-renowned Japanese director Akira Kurosawa —whose filmography includes such classics as Rashomon and Seven Samurai, felt his career was over and attempted suicide in 1971. He emerged from this low point to direct this powerful, intimate epic based on the […]
BIG NIGHT (1996)
NOT AVAILABLE DURING THE VIRTUAL ENCORE FESTIVAL. A NOTE FROM JIM DEE, PALM THEATRE OWNER: Italian brothers Primo and Secondo — portrayed by Tony Shaloub and Stanley Tucci (who also directed) attempt to bring their cuisine to the U.S., opening a restaurant in New Jersey in the 1950s. Hoping to stay in business, their biggest […]
