The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival showcases an assortment of films that appeal to a wide variety of age, demographic and interests each spring in SLO CAL (San Luis Obispo County). Over 100 films from around the world are shown during the festival. Mark your calendars for the 2025 Film Festival where you can expect a program packed with showings and sprinkled with special events.
Below are the 2025 Central Coast film selections. This category is comprised of various genres, mediums and lengths, but have one things in common: these films were produced, written or directed by residents in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Monterey counties. Continue reading for this year's Central Coast films.
For the full program visit the San Luis Obispo Film Festival.
2025 SLO International Film Festival (SIFF) Lineup:
Film: Hidden Creek
Synopsis: Widowed rancher Jimmy has spent a lifetime protecting his land, but as dementia takes hold of his mind, so does paranoia. When his son and daughter start making decisions behind his back, he begins to wonder if his mind is failing him or if his family is gaslighting him into giving up his legacy.
Filmmakers: Directed by Julian Mercado Avila & Darien Jewel, Produced by Julian Mercado Avila, Darien Jewel & Magnus Marthaler
Details: Drama | 99 min.
Film: Mothering
Synopsis: In a therapy session designed to uncover the truth behind his recurring nightmares, Chamai is forced to confront the chilling possibility that his trauma may not be confined to his sleep. The dark forces clawing at him within his dreams are now invading his waking life, and as reality and nightmare blur, Chamai must face the terrifying truth that what he fears most may be closer than he ever imagined.
Filmmakers: Directed and written by Robin Nystrom, Produced by Jodi Norton, Robin Nystrom, Jennie Nystrom, Jason Kaiser & Alex Raban
Details: Horror | 8 min.
Film: The Monday Club and the Women Who Built It
Synopsis: Discover the rich history of our local Monday Club and the bold women who paved the way for its legacy, including Julia Morgan, a trailblazing architect who constructed the home for the dynamic women's club that has now thrived for over 100 years. As the turn of the century saw passionate women breaking barriers and reimagining their futures, women's clubs became centers for change, justice and community.
Filmmakers: Directed, written and produced by Robin Smith
Details: Documentary | 30 min.
Film: SON-MAT
Synopsis: After the loss of his mother, a son embarks on a heartfelt journey to honor her memory by preparing a nostalgic Korean dish she once lovingly made. As he navigates the complexities of grief, family and tradition, cooking becomes a bridge to the past, offering him a way to reconnect with cherished memories and find healing through the comforting flavors of his youth.
Filmmakers: Directed and written by Haaram Kim, Produced by Dana Walker
Details: Drama | 9 min.
Film: Beautifully Ugly
Synopsis: After a devastating breakup, Bill’s emotional journey through the five stages of grief becomes a surreal, distorted experience. As reality bends and his emotions clash with dreamlike sequences, he faces heartbreak, self-destruction, and moments of unexpected healing in a raw and intimate look at love, loss, and the messy journey toward finding oneself again.
Filmmakers: Directed and written by Adalberto Angulo, Produced by Adalberto Angulo, Ricardo Rosario & Mike Lev
Details: Drama | 8 min.
Film: Theater Kid
Synopsis: Kenneth’s delusions and distorted sense of stardom lead him to sabotage the high school theater production he and his cast mates have been working so hard on. At the same time, his poorly executed attempts to win over his crush and co-star, Jane, only make matters worse.
Filmmakers: Directed and written by Liam Burns, Produced by Alena Mauhs & Curran Seth
Details: Musical, Drama, Comedy | 17 min.
Film: Toledo
Synopsis: Amid the hot summer cilantro fields, a brooding teenage cowboy, Santos, wrestles with his unspoken love for Emma. Before returning to Mexico, he must confess his feelings, but a cruel rival stands in his way. Torn between cultures and desire, this captivating tale weaves a web of forbidden passion, the clash of expectations, and the struggle to test the boundaries of love and identity. Will he choose to fight for love or surrender to fate?
Filmmakers: Directed and written by Alyssa Toledo, produced by Chase Stokes, Jonathan Daviss & Anthony Vasquez
Details: Drama | 15 min.
Film: Unearth
Synopsis: Amid the urgent demand for metals and minerals to combat climate change, commercial salmon fishermen and Indigenous tribal council members in Bristol Bay, Alaska, face the looming threat of North America’s largest copper mine. As they battle to protect their beloved homeland, they uncover the systematic recklessness of a powerful industry while demonstrating the enduring strength of community activism.
Filmmakers: Directed by John Hunter Nolan, Auberin Strickland, Dunedin Strickland, written by Vickie Curtis, produced by Gina Papabeis, Auberin Strickland, Dunedin Strickland, Eyal Levy & John Hunter Nolan
Details: Documentary | 93 min.
Film: Voices de Old Town Carpinteria
Synopsis: Voices de Old Town Carpinteria uncovers the story of Aliso School, one of California's last segregated schools, through the voices of the resilient Mexican American children who attended before integration in 1947. Told by historian Jim Campos and the collective memories of former students, the film highlights their perseverance in the face of injustice and their pride in both personal and generational achievements, offering a powerful look at healing and the importance of remembering history.
Filmmakers: Directed by Brent Winebrenner & Leslie Westbrook, produced by Leslie Westbrook
Details: Documentary | 14 min.
Film: Wonders of the Wolf
Synopsis: An exploration of one of the most successful conservation efforts in modern history—the Yellowstone Wolf Project. From the wolves' historic reintroduction in 1995 to the thriving packs of today, biologists share inspiring stories about the wolves they study in the park. Using bioacoustic technology, researchers are uncovering how wolves communicate, applying their findings to resolve wildlife-livestock conflicts and protect these majestic creatures.
Filmmakers: Directed and written by Angie Ruiz, produced by Angie Ruiz & Aaron Weber
Details: Documentary | 31 min.
Film: Yes
Synopsis: A story of loss, resilience and unexpected connections, YES follows 8-year-old Mia, who has been unable to speak since tragically losing both of her parents. Now living with her aunt on the California-Mexico border, Mia’s world is shaken when she discovers an undocumented mother and daughter hiding in her backyard. Determined to help them while avoiding her aunt’s xenophobic boyfriend, Mia must figure out how to protect the family while confronting her own trauma.
Filmmakers: Directed and written by Randi Barros, produced by Hollis Sherman-Pepe, Jennie Lew Tugend
Details: Drama | 21 min.
