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Submissions are currently open. In addition to our primary international film category, the George Sidney Competition, we are excited to continue to grow our Music Video Showcase, and excited to continue to welcome and grow films from filmmakers on the Central Coast as well as youth filmmakers from around the world to be a part of our Central Coast Filmmaker Showcase and Filmmakers of Tomorrow Showcase.
*New* We are a Academy Award® Qualifying Festival for Documentary Shorts.
Submit to our primary film competition welcoming films from around the world in all categories, genres, lengths and mediums.
Our festival will continue its commitment to presenting world-class cinema in SLO County from April 24-29, 2025.
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 to this category. All film genres, mediums and lengths accepted.
We are excited to continue showcasing creative new music videos in a variety of musical styles from filmmakers around the world. We will host an evening of the official selections paired with live musical performances. All entries must be under 7 minutes.
Open to youth filmmakers under 18 still attending elementary, middle, or high school around the world. College student films are NOT accepted into this competition. All entries must include a copy of school identification and must be under 5 minutes.
In 2025 we will offering a hybrid festival with virtual and in person screenings. Prizes and cash awards will still be presented and our festival will continue its commitment to presenting world-class cinema in San Luis Obispo County from April 24 – 29 2025.
Films in the George Sidney (worldwide) competition will compete in several categories:
All winners will receive cash prizes: $1000 for feature-length films and $500 for short and student categories. Music Video winners will be awarded $200. The Central Coast Filmmaker Showcase films are eligible for awards in the same categories, and other prizes may also be awarded.
George Sidney competition films will also be eligible for Audience Awards in five categories: Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Narrative Film, Best Short Documentary Film and Best in Fest (any length.)
| DEADLINES | STUDENT | SHORT | FEATURE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earlybird: August 15, 2024 | GS*: $35.00 CCFS*: $20.00 | GS: $30.00 CCFS: $20.00 | GS: $45.00 CCFS: $30.00 |
| End of Summer: September 30, 2024 | GS: $45.00 CCFS: $25.00 | GS: $40.00 CCFS: $30.00 | GS: $55.00 CCFS: $35.00 |
| Regular: October 31, 2024 | GS: $55.00 CCFS: $35.00 | GS: $50.00 CCFS: $40.00 | GS: $65.00 CCFS: $40.00 |
| Extended: November 15, 2024 | GS: $65.00 CCFS: $45.00 | GS: $65.00 CCFS: $50.00 | GS: $80.00 CCFS: $50.00 |
*GS: George Sidney Independent Film Competition (open to all filmmakers worldwide)
*CCFS: Central Coast Filmmakers Showcase
(open to filmmakers in San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties – see more information above)
The SLO Film Fest reserves the right to determine eligibility of any work submitted. All films submitted must have a completion date after July 1, 2023. Preferred format for screening copies is an online link – preferably Vimeo.
Films selected for screening at the Festival will be notified no later than February 15, 2025. All George Sidney Independent Film Competition filmmakers will be provided with one night’s accommodation at a hotel in the San Luis Obispo area (this does not include filmmakers in the Central Coast Filmmakers Showcase, Music Video Showcase, or Filmmakers of Tomorrow Showcase unless excess availability).
They will also be given two all-access passes to the 2025 SLO Film Fest.
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 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 the wrong category, it will be disqualified.
SLO Film Fest Alumni filmmakers are invited to submit a new film with a fee waiver. Please email [email protected] for your waiver!
Submission fees are non-refundable and will not be refunded if a film is not selected.
P.O Box 1449
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
1-805-546-3456
Palm Theatre – SLO Film Center
Open Monday – Sunday
thepalmtheater.com
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Website Photography provided by Brittany App
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival Inc. Registered Non-Profit 501(c3) Tax ID# 77-0367414
