Festival Highlights
SLOIFF 2025 was a record-breaking event, drawing large audiences to its diverse programming.
For fans of Neil Young, there was the sold-out screening of Daryl Hannah’s documentary Coastal.
This year’s King Vidor Award went to legendary costume designer Bob Mackie, star of the documentary Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion. The film takes you through is long, illustrative career. Some of the cameos include Cher, Carol Burnett, Pink, Tom Ford, Miley Cyrus, and RuPaul .
Mackie attended a packed reception after the screening. He clearly was enjoying posing for selfies on the red carpet. Afterwards, a packed room listened intently to a Variety Magazine Q&A of Mackie. He was accompanied by the doc’s writer & director Matthew Miele.
Jay Duplass received the Spotlight Award. His new film, The Baltimorons, is bound to become a Christmas classic. Michael Strassner plays the lead. He’s a newly sober man reluctantly attending his girlfriend’s family Christmas dinner. He stumbles on the doorstep and knocks out a tooth.
The film is a love letter to Baltimore. We follow his hapless adventure trying to solve his dental emergency. You probably recognize Jay Duplass from one of his many acting gigs, including the hit show Transparent. Trust us, this sweet and funny film belongs on your watch list. It’s self-funded and relying on word-of-mouth.
Fan Favorites
• Aontas: An Irish-language noir, Aontas unfolds in reverse, revealing a hilarious heist unraveling. The film revolves around a group of town’s women who decide to rob the town credit union. There’s a surprising twist at the end you’ll never see coming.
• Middletown: Named Best Documentary Feature, follows a group of high school students in the early 1990s. They uncover a toxic waste scandal in their upstate New York town. Middleton showcases the power of youth-led investigative journalism.
• Paper Flowers: Based on a true story, Paper Flowers follows Shalin Shah, a USC graduate. While in Peru his world is turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis. The film highlights the strength in family and love back home.
Local Flavor
Beyond the theaters, San Luis Obispo offers a wealth of experiences. The nearby Edna Valley and SLO Coast wine regions boast over 250 wineries.
For beach enthusiasts, the Central Coast doesn’t disappoint. Avila Beach is south and 9 miles away. Pismo Beach offers stunning sunsets and a chance to spot monarch butterflies further south 16 miles. Montaña de Oro State Park provides hiking trails with breathtaking ocean views 15 miles west. 20 minutes North is Morro Bay, with sleepy towns Cayucos and Cambria dotted along the north central coast.
Mark Your Calendars
MovieMaker Magazine named SLOIFF one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World”. Convinced yet?
You won’t regret this destination worthy vacation. So plan a getaway to San Luis Obispo. The 2026 festival is set for April 23 – 28.
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