Celebrating its 32nd edition in 2026, the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLOIFF) was a six-day annual event. It showcased creative, diverse and impactful works from around the world in a wide variety of venues, from the city’s classic art deco Fremont Theater to the SLO Film Center at the Palm Theatre. The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival is an Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences qualifying festival. As a result, films that won in the category of “Best Documentary Short” at SLOIFF may be qualified to enter the 99th Academy Awards® (2027), making them eligible to win an Oscar®.
Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, with its laid-back vibe and serene natural beauty, provided the perfect setting for this highly regarded annual film celebration. Filmmakers raved about the warmth and engagement that were so much a part of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival experience, as did industry pros and film critics who continued to discover the fest’s thoughtful audiences and unique programming sensibility.
With a slate of over 100 films from 25 countries including narrative features, short films, feature documentaries and doc shorts, the festival was known for its dedication to diversity and inclusivity, highlighting both emerging and established filmmakers from around the globe. This year included two new categories—Episodics and a special award recognizing the Best Genre/Horror Film.
The Festival’s signature events included Surf Nite, the popular Central Coast Filmmaker Showcase, Cal Poly Short Cuts, Music Video Showcase and Community of Skate. Additional programs included short films curated by R.A.C.E. Matters and Filmmakers of Tomorrow, featuring short films by those 18 and under.
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival Director Skye McLennan said, “This year our tagline is ‘Where Our Stories Live,’ highlighting that both our festival and San Luis Obispo are home to storytellers and storytelling. We believe film festivals are a powerful opportunity to showcase a diversity of perspectives and stories, and when we share them, we can truly be in community with one another.”
Opening Night
Opening Night (Thursday, April 23rd) brought the West Coast Premiere of Give Me The Ball!, a celebration of trailblazing sports and women’s rights icon Billie Jean King. Directors Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff masterfully wove archival footage with Billie Jean King’s own words to create an intimate portrait, revealing the inner turmoil behind the immense sacrifices she made to transform her sport and the world.
A reception preceding the screening of Give Me The Ball! kicked off the 32nd edition of SLOIFF and offered an opportunity to meet special guests, filmmakers and major contributors, along with catered bites by Luna Red and wine from Austin Hope Wines at the historic Fremont Theater.
Closing Night
On Closing Night (Tuesday, April 28th), the SLO Film Festival wrapped up with the announcement of the Jury and Audience award winners alongside a screening of Power Ballad. The U.S./Ireland production Power Ballad told the story of how Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, met fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig and how the two bonded over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turned one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignited his career, Rick set out to reclaim the recognition he believed he deserved even if it meant risking everything he cared about. From writer-director John Carney (Sing Street, Once), Power Ballad was a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship and the price of ambition.
