THE FESTIVAL GUIDE SPECIAL EVENTS, VIRTUAL + IN-PERSON FILMMAKER PANELS + MORE VIRTUAL + IN-PERSON APRIL 30-MAY 7
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SPECIAL EVENTS,
VIRTUAL + IN - PERSON
SCREENINGS,
F I L M M A K E R PA N E L S + MO R E
ENCORE:
VIRTUAL + IN - PERSON
SCREENINGS
A P R I L 3 0 – M AY 7
THE FESTIVAL GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPONSOR LISTINGS 1
let’s meet up at MESSAGES
P A S S E S / T I C K E T S
V I R T UA L E N C O R E F E S T I VA L
5
6
7
hotel SLO
VENUES 8
RED CARPET EVENTS 10
SPEC IAL PRESE NTATION SC RE E NINGS 16
GEORGE SIDNEY FILM COMPETITION 21
N A R R A T I V E F E A T U R E S 22
D O C U M E N T A R Y F E A T U R E S 26
SCHEDULE 31
E N C O R E W E E K 36
NARR ATIVE SHORTS 37
D O C U M E N T A R Y S H O R T S 42
C E N T R A L C O A S T F I L M M A K E R S H O W C A S E 44
S H O R T S P R O G R A M S 48
MUSIC VIDEOS 52
FILMMAKERS OF TOMORROW 54
BE H I N D TH E SC E N ES PAN E L S 55
I N D E X 60
PATIO AT OX + ANCHOR
SPONSORS
FEATURED WINERY
As proud sponsors of the 2023 SLO International Film Festival, Hotel
SLO invites you to take advantage of our convenient location adja-
cent to the Palm Theater. Join us for a perfect night out before or after
film screenings - where you can dine alfresco and enjoy craft cocktails.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
OX + ANCHOR PIADINA HIGH BAR
A modern spin on For a casual vibe Craft cocktails and
the classic steakhouse, with farm-fresh fare shared bites al fresco
drawing inspiration inspired by Italy and on the rooftop.
from the hills and the Central Coast. DAILY 2-9P
sea surrounding DAILY 11:30A-9P (WEATHER PERMITTING)
San Luis Obispo.
WED-SUN 5-9P
LET’S GO BACK TO THE MOVIES 1
SPONSORS SPONSORS
PRODUCERS CINEMATOGRAPHERS
SHANBROM
FA M I LY F O U N DAT I O N
MONA &
GORDAN
®
JENNINGS
PAUL &
ROBYN
ROSSI METCHIK
ENTERPRISES
DIRECTORS
LEAD ACTORS
LIBBIE AGRAN—WINE GROWING TOGETHER: PRAMS
HISTORY PROJECT OF AN LGBTQ+ FUND R.A.C.E. MATTERS
SLO COUNTY VICTORIA GROSTICK JERRY & KIM SCOTT
H YDE PARK AMERICAN RIVIERA BANK HOTEL CERRO
PARTN E RS SEACREST
ADAMSKI, MOROSKI, STACEY HUNT & OCEANFRONT HOTEL
MADDEN, CUMBERLAND & IRENE SHIPPEE &
GREEN LLP PATRICIA GOMEZ &
JANICE ROHN FRANKLIN M. SEIPLE,
SUZAN BOATMAN INN AT THE COVE ARCHITECT
THE BAUMBERGERS FREDERICK BIZ STEINBERG IN
IN LOVING MEMORY OF LAW FIRM MEMORY OF
HELEN BAUMBERGER HER HUSBAND
TREVOR, EMILY &
MARY BAIAMONTE HOWARD STEINBERG
BABY GEORGE KIMBALL
CONNIE BOOTON SUSAN STERN-PEARL
MAGGIE KING IN
JAMES & FELICIA MEMORY OF HER SURFING FOR HOPE
CASHIN HUSBAND DALE KING SWIFT ACTION FUND
SHARON DOBSON LATINO OUTREACH TALLEY VINEYARDS
COUNCIL
THE DOLPHIN BAY TIDES OCEANVIEW
RESORT & SPA MED STOP URGENT INN & COTTAGES
CARE CENTER
EBERLE WINERY TRANZ CENTRAL COAST
MADONNA PLAZA
EDIBLE MAGAZINE CINDY
PACIFIC EYE SURGEONS
THE MARTHA OLSON WATHEN-KENNEDY
POINT OF ACTION
FERNANDEZ FOUNDATION
PERINET
2 W W W.SLOFILMFEST.ORG LET’S GO BACK TO THE MOVIES 3
SPONSORS MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
SUPPORTING CAST Many of us have deep memories of going to the movies. The smell of fresh popcorn, going on
first dates, being inspired, laughing with the crowd, quietly holding back sniffles from your tears
and the rush of adrenaline from all the action. Within the visually stunning Central Coast we are
ACCESS FOR ALL FIRST AMERICAN TITLE SHERRIE RHEINGANS back to doing what we do best—host groundbreaking films in iconic venues rich with memories
and history. This year I encourage you to join us to create new memories at the movies! Movies
THE ALLEN FAMILY DAVID HARDBERGER & B.K. RICHARD & have the potential to challenge us, inspire us and create needed change within us all.
MARGARET MEANS EMILY ROSTEN
BILL CLEMENS & SKYE MCLENNAN
SUSIE CLARK JEFF & KERRY HELLER ANNE SHANNON SLO FILM FEST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CROMA VERA WINES HERMAN STORY BERN SINGSEN
CAL POLY CENTER DIVERSITY COALITION LYGIA SMIDT
OF EXPRESSIVE SLO COUNTY ERICA A. STEWART &
TECHNOLOGIES FLEX PERFORMING ARTS SHAY M. STEWART
CAL POLY DEPARTMENT JANET KRISTIN SWARTZMAN
OF INTERDISCIPLINARY KERSHAW-MCLENNAN M.D.
STUDIES IN LIBERAL ARTS TOM WILSON
MAUREEN IN TRIBUTE TO
SHARON & JOHN ‘NURSE MO’ MCGEE JACKIE MACFARLANE
DOBSON
ERIN MCCALL & TOM & JUDY WALTERS
SANDRA DUERR MIKE MCCALL THE WILKINS FAMILY
BRUCE EKMANIAN, CPA ROXY PECK
FILM SOCIETY
1865 REGINA GOSS PARRISH FAMILY VINEYARD
NOTHING BUNDT CAKES PARCH WILLIAM PENDERGRASS
ANCIENT PEAKS WINERY PATRICIA GOLDEN JEROME PIERCE SLO FIL M FEST BOARD OF DIREC TORS + STAFF
MARCIA ALTER MARGARET JUREN D.K. & JUDY PHILBIN Executive Director: Skye McLennan
BAILEYANA WINERY DAVE KEITEL ANN ROBINSON Associate Director: Grace Tucker
Development Director: Chelsea Baumberger
BELLA LUNA ESTATE WINERY MARIA KELLY KATHRYN ROGERS Programmer and Festival Assistant: Cindy Kitagawa
CLAIBORNE & CHURCHILL NITA KENYON HEATHER SEALY Volunteer Coordinator: Matthew Brown
Marketing Interns and Box Office Assistants: Jenna Dierkes, Maya Pugatch, Shanti Herzog
WINERY PAUL & MARY KERN VIRGINIA SENN Development Assistant: Jayne Alexander
CURIOUS ELIXIRS Board—alphabetical by last name: Lydia Bates, Sandra Duerr, David Hardberger, Maria Kelly, Nina Leschinsky,
KERIK KOUKLIS ISAAC SHAFRAN Erin McCall, Paul Metchik, Kyle Plummer, Janice Rohn, Suzanne Schonig, Tom Walters
DAVE CORONEL NINA LESCHINSKY SLO CIDER
INDIA D’AVIGNON Additional Thanks
NOVA MARKS STEVEN & THERESE SOUZA Graphic Designer: Elizabeth Kurrels
FIELD RECORDINGS WINERY Publicist: John Wildman
ALISSA MADDREN MARY WALKER Lounge Coordinator: Nicole LeBlanc
MICHAEL FLORES SARA MIKKELSON THERE DOES NOT EXIST Swag Bag Coordinators: Shoug Albahar, Madison East
FLYING EMBERS And a big thank you to all of our volunteers, sponsors and venues!
AYRAL ODILE REX & JANICE WOLF
HIYO BEN & JACKIE PARKER FAMILY JAMES WOOLLEY
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
HOPE FAMILY WINES CHARITABLE FUND
SWAG BAG DONORS
I enthusiastically support the 29th San Luis Obispo International Film Festival. I am proud
EDIBLE MAGAZINE MENDER SLO PROVISIONS of the growth of this historic event and look forward to the special events, new films, and
important storytelling. This is truly one of the most exciting cultural events of the year, and I
FABLE RUNE NATE’S ON MARSH TACO WORKS am excited that this event is being offered in-person and virtually!
MADONNA INN PASO ALMONDS E R I C A A . S T E WA R T , M AYO R
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
VIE W A COMPLE TE AND UPDATE D
LIST ON OUR WEBSITE.
4 W W W.SLOFILMFEST.ORG LET’S GO BACK TO THE MOVIES 5
PASSES VIRTUAL ENCORE FESTIVAL
S L O F I L M F E S T I VA L E N C O U R AG E S NEW THIS YEAR, WE ARE EXTENDING OUR
PA SS HOLDE RS TO ARRIVE AT TH E F E S T I VA L PA S T T H E 6 - D AY E X P E R I E N C E !
VE NUE AT LE A ST 35 MINUTES BE FORE Whether you were out of town and couldn’t make the in-person screenings from April 25–30,
THE START OF E AC H SC RE E NING. would rather watch from the comfort of your home, or just want to continue the festivities into May,
Passholders will be let into the venue 30 minutes before the screening time, and will be we have multiple offerings from April 30–May 7!
seated on a first-come, first-serve basis. All remaining passholders will be seated in
order of arrival. Passholders are not guaranteed a seat to any screening or any other J O I N U S V I R T U A L LY F R O M A P R I L 3 0 – M AY 7 !
festival event. Pre-sold ticket buyers will be seated 15 minutes before the screening time. Look for the cloud icon on film descriptions to indicate whether the film is available virtually or
not. Some films are restricted to California and some have limited virtual capacity, so we suggest
FESTIVAL PASSES TICKET PACKAGES booking online in advance for individual ticket buyers and Fan Pack holders. Please check online
ALL-ACCESS MOVIE MOGUL+ $400 Save on transaction fees and bring the price film descriptions for virtual restrictions. Films can be played on your desktop or on your Smart TV
of individual tickets down! Not sure how to through Chromecast or the Elevent App in Apple and Roku stores. More information and FAQs on
• Grants one person access to all festival virtual streaming can be found on our website.
screenings, receptions, workshops, panels, fulfill your Fan Pack? Please visit our website
red carpet events and the Festival Lounge for step-by-step instructions on how to select
• Full virtual encore access for one
your films in advance or visit us at our HQ! VISIT
household April 30–May 7 W W W.V I R T U A L . G O E L E V E N T . C O M
FAN PACK 6 $90 TO VIEW FILMS
• Access to Encore in Paso Robles • Six-ticket package good for regular screenings
screenings, May 2, 3, 4 If you have an All-Access Pass (Movie Mogul Pass, Sponsor All-Access, Filmmaker All-Access)
in-person or on the virtual platform or a SLOFilmFest@Home Pass, please log in to the PASS HOLDER area. If you have a Fan Pack 6
• Please note that some events require an RSVP • Purchase your Pack and then make your Package or have purchased individual tickets please use the TICKET HOLDER area.
film selections on our website or at HQ Please Note: FAN PACK holders must select their films in advance and will be sent
MOVIE STAR+ $225
• You must select tickets in advance and a voucher code after selection.
• Grants access for one person to all regular have a ticket for the screening
festival screenings, workshops and panels
• Packages can be shared between multiple people SLOFILMFEST@HOME $120
• Festival Lounge Access Wednesday
through Friday before 5pm (THE VIRTUAL FESTIVAL)
FAN PACK 4 $40 The virtual pass grants access for one household
• Special presentation screenings, encore screenings • Four-ticket package good for regular screenings
and red carpet events are NOT included to all virtual screenings throughout the week.
ONLY AT THE FREMONT THEATER. Events and
• Full virtual encore access for one special presentation screenings not included
household April 30–May 7 INDIVIDUAL VIRTUAL TICKETS:
• Purchase your Pack and then make your $12 General
film selections on our website or at HQ $10 Student + Film Society
SLOFILMFEST@HOME $120
• You must select tickets in advance and
• Access for one household to all virtual screenings have a ticket for the screening
throughout the week, April 30–May 7
• Packages can be shared between multiple people
• Please note that not all films are available virtually
VIRTUAL KEY IN-PERSON SCREENINGS
IN PASO ROBLES:
TICKETS AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY
TUESDAY, MAY 2
4:30PM
DUSTY AND STONES
7:30PM
Individual tickets can be purchased in advance across all venues. Tickets must be OKLAHOMA BREAKDOWN
redeemed online for the film you are interested in seeing. All events are general
admission and we suggest you arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime.
CA
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3
In-Person Single Tickets: E.T. At the Drive-In: 4:30PM
$15 General $15 Per Occupant VICUNA SALVATION
$12 Student + Film Society $10 Under 12 years old VIEWABLE ONLY IN 7:30PM
$10 Per Bicycle CALIFORNIA I LIKE MOVIES
Virtual Tickets:
$12 General Textures of Love
$10 Student + Film Society Shorts Program: THURSDAY, MAY 4
FREE with registration 4:30PM
CA HOME OWNERS
Red Carpet Events:
$25 General Panels: 7:30PM
$20 Student + Film Society $5 General THE AMPHORA PROJECT +
Unless otherwise stated. Passes Accepted LIMITED IN PURSUIT OF FLAVOR
NUMBER
OF VIEWS
REFUND POLICY: AVAILABLE
All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. *VIEW A MORE
In the event of a sellout, refunds will be honored DETAILED
for individual ticket holders. SCHEDULE ON
PAGE 36
6 W W W.SLOFILMFEST.ORG LET’S GO BACK TO THE MOVIES 7
LOCATIONS
HEADQUARTER HOURS
PRE-FEST DURING THE FEST
April 1–April 16 April 17–April 24 April 25–April 30
Mon, Tues, Wed: Everyday: Noon–6PM 9AM–8PM
CLOSED
Thurs, Fri: Noon–6PM
Sat, Sun: 10AM–4PM
DINNER
FESTIVAL LOUNGE AT SERVICE
Thursday - Monday
5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
STARTING Gate
THE STABLES BAR
LOUNGE HOURS Every day Happy Hour(s)
C
“Wonderful 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 25: CLOSED
Wednesday, April 26: 5PM–10PM
M
new spot.
Thursday, April 27: Noon–10:30PM Y
Fantastic
Friday, April 28: Noon–10:30PM
Saturday, April 29: 10AM–6PM / 9PM–11PM
CM
energy, great PRIVATE
Sunday, April 30: 10AM–10PM
MY
food, friendly EVENTS
View a more detailed scheduled online. Guided wine tastings, panels, workshops and more! CY
Book today!
CMY
service.”
K
VENUES
F E S T I VA L DOWNTOWN SUNSET
HEADQUARTERS CENTRE DRIVE-IN
849 Higuera St. CINEMAS 255 Elks Ln.
888 Marsh St. facebook.com/sunsetdrivein
themovieexperience.com
F E S T I VA L
LOUNGE LUNA RED
967 Osos St. PAL M 1023 Chorro St.
THE ATRE lunaredslo.com
817 Palm St.
FREMONT thepalmtheatre.com
THE ATE R
1035 Monterey St.
fremontslo.com
ACCESS
For all accessible bookings or inquiries, or to notify us of your
needs so we can make your visit as enjoyable as possible,
please call 805.546.3456 or email: info@slofilmfest.org
Visit our website for venue accessibility information: slofilmfest.org/access *Polpette: beef, pork, and veal meatball,
sauce pomodoro, basil gremolata, fresh
burratta mozzarella
8 W W W.SLOFILMFEST.ORG 450 MARSH sT. SLO, CA | 805 544 4454 | info@natesonmarsh.com | @natesonmarsh
RED CARPET EVENTS RED CARPET EVENTS
OPENING NIGHT CENTRAL COAST FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE
SPONSORED BY HOTEL SAN LUIS OBISPO THERE’S NO PL AC E LIKE HOME!
Just a short drive to nearby major cities, the Central Coast boasts incredible scenic filming
locations and some of the most amazing talent. Join us on Wednesday, April 26, as we spend
the day showcasing films from our Central Coast Filmmakers and celebrate this outstanding
community. Awards for this category will be presented at the Wednesday night event.
Central Coast Filmmaker Showcase juried by Jody Nelson, Randi Barros and Anuja Ganpule.
I WANT MY SLOMVTV! MUSIC VIDEO SHOWCASE
JOIN US FOR OUR OPENING NIGHT
C E LE BR ATION WITH FOOD, MINGLING,
A N D S P E C I A L F I L M , B L A C K B E R R Y. SUPPORTED BY 93.3 KZOZ
Come and kick off the 29th SLO Film Festival by meeting our special guests and fellow film and Remember back in the ‘80s, ‘90s and early 2000s when MTV actually played music videos? For
music lovers at this year’s Opening Night Reception hosted by Luna Red, just a few blocks from the third year in a row, music videos officially have a home at our festival. We are elated to once
the Fremont Theater. We’ll have live music from popular SLO County band, THE TAPROOTS, again be able to experience and celebrate the eclectic mix of creative music videos in person
along with wine, beer and appetizers to help us ring in the start to a great week. alongside live music performances by Caleb Nichols, Connect the Coast, The Honeyboys
& a Peaking Lights DJ set! Awards will be presented in both the Central Coast Filmmaker and
Music Video Showcase on Wednesday, April 26, during our Music Video Showcase.
BLACKBERRY Music Video Showcase juried by Manuel Del Valle, David Hardberger and Ernesto Rivera.
Coming straight from its premiere at SXSW,
BLACKBERRY tells the story of Mike Lazaridis (Jay
Baruchel) and Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton), the two WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26
men who charted the course of the spectacular rise and FREMONT THEATER
catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone.
Recounting the Canadian company’s humble yet 7:30PM LIVE MUSIC + MUSIC VIDEO
chaotic rise to market dominance, BLACKBERRY is a SHOWCASE + CCFS / MV AWARDS
darkly comedic telling of the tragic tale of a Canadian
company that revolutionized the way we communicate, $25 General
before swiftly plummeting into obsolescence. $20 Student / Film Society
All-Access Passes accepted
DIRECTOR: Matt Johnson
WRITERS: Matt Johnson, Matthew Miller
PRODUCER: Niv Fichman
TUESDAY, APRIL 25
5PM RECEPTION AT LUNA RED
7PM FILM SCREENING AT FREMONT THEATER See page 52 for more
information on our Music Video
Showcase and pages 44–46
Reception: Only open to All-Access Passholders. for more information on the
Limited capacity. Must RSVP by Saturday, April 22. Central Coast Showcase films.
Film Screening:
$25 General / $20 Student
All-Access Passes accepted
10 T U E S DAY W E D N E S DAY 11
RED CARPET EVENTS RED CARPET EVENTS
E.T. LANDS AT THE SURF NITE
SUNSET DRIVE-IN
PRESENTED BY CITY OF PISMO BEACH
PRESENTED BY CENTRAL COAST FILM SOCIETY ALSO SUPPORTED BY VESPERA RESORT ON PISMO BEACH,
ALSO SUPPORTED BY COAST 104.5 SURFING FOR HOPE, THE KRUSH 92.5 AND CAYUCOS COLLECTIVE
IT IS WITH GRE AT E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL
E XC ITEME NT THAT WE 4K RESTORATION
WILL BE RETURNING TO
THE SUNSET DRIVE-IN After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, it is
THIS YEAR TO PRESENT discovered and befriended by a young boy named
Elliott (Henry Thomas). Naming the extra terrestrial E.T.,
A RETROSPECTIVE he brings his new friend into his suburban home and
SCREENING OF THE introduces the alien to his brother and his little sister,
ADORED CL ASSIC , E.T. Gertie (Drew Barrymore). Though the children decide
THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL. to keep its existence a secret, E.T. soon falls ill, resulting
in government intervention and a dire situation for both
New this year, in true E.T. fashion, you can cycle into Elliott and the alien.
the drive-in! Please dress warmly and don’t forget
blankets and cozy gear!
SURF NITE IN SLO IS ONE OF THOSE
R ARE E VE NTS FU E LE D BY TH E E N E RGY
AND ENTHUSIASM OF THE CROWD
THAT AT TE NDS E AC H YE AR .
It is with great excitement that we will be returning to the FREMONT
THEATER for the first time in many years to celebrate surfing on the
big screen! With iconic cars, drinks in the lobby and live music from the
Boomer Surf Band before the feature, join us for what’s been coined
the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” for surf and film lovers!
We’re excited to present the 100 FOOT WAVE THE 100 FOOT WAVE EXPERIENCE
Experience with legendary Big Wave Surfer Garrett On the brink of airing Season 2, we are so thrilled to
& his partner Nicole McNamara in attendance. play an episode from the first season of HBO’s 100
McNamara’s Emmy-award winning show explores FOOT WAVE, featuring Garrett McNamara who
big wave surfing and the pursuit conquering the 100 pioneered the giant waves of the previously unknown
DRIVE-IN TIPS THURSDAY, APRIL 27 foot wave. This is a rare opportunity to see the show town of Nazare, Portugal.
• Reduce your car SUNSET DRIVE-IN on the big screen and hear from Garrett himself and
His effort drove the sport of surfing to new heights
battery usage by what’s upcoming in Season 2.
bringing an FM Radio. 6:30PM | GATE OPENS and helped transform this tiny fishing village into the
8PM | FILM BEGINS world’s preeminent big-wave surfing destination. This
• Two cars per slot (look out FRIDAY, APRIL 28 breathtaking six-part documentary series chronicles
for the white poles)
• Please park larger vehicles (trucks
$15 Per Occupant FREMONT THEATER McNamara’s quest, and we can’t wait to experience
$10 Under 12 years old one of the episodes on the big screen with you, like
+ vans) in the back rows to avoid $10 Per Bicycle — Cycle into the drive-in in 5:30PM DOORS OPEN + LIVE MUSIC you’ve never seen it before.
blocking the view of smaller vehicles style! We’ll have an area just for cyclists 7PM FILM BEGINS
• Snack bar is CASH ONLY! Enjoy all the After the film we’ll be joined for a conversation by
movie-viewing staples including hot dogs, $25 General surfing legend and the main subject in the film, Garrett
nachos, candy, soda and popcorn. $20 Student / Film Society McNamara, and shown an exclusive blooper reel
All-Access Passes accepted. Must RSVP of the content that didn’t make it into the show, and a
teaser of what’s to come in Season 2!
12 T H U R S DAY F R I DAY 13
RED CARPET EVENTS RED CARPET EVENTS
AWARDS GALA: CLOSING NIGHT
A CELEBRATION OF FILM & CRAFT
SPONSORED BY BHE RENEWABLES
PRESENTED BY COUCH FAMILY WINES
ALSO SUPPORTED BY DOLPHIN BAY RESORT & SPA
T H E 2 9 T H A N N UA L S L O F I L M F E S T I VA L
J O I N U S F O R O U R M O S T H I G H LY WILL WR AP UP WITH OUR AUDIENCE
ANTIC I PATE D E VE N ING A S WE C E LE BR ATE AWARD WINNERS VOTED ON
AWARD - WINNING FIL MS ON THE STAGE OF T H R O U G H O U T T H E F E S T I VA L , A L O N G S I D E
THE HISTORIC FREMONT THE ATE R . A SHOWING OF IMORDECAI.
Filmmakers and special guests will grace the Red Carpet leading up to the awards ceremony. Based on a true story, IMORDECAI is a comedy about Mordecai becomes friends with the “Einsteins” led by
George Sidney Independent Film Awards, presented each year in several categories, are juried a Holocaust survivor whose life changes when his Nina, who teach him to use this strange device with
by film and media professionals in the industry. son buys him an iPhone. Mordecai (JUDD HIRSCH) no buttons. He becomes open to new experiences
Stay tuned for a late announcement on special guests! likes to fix things. It’s why his phone is 20 years old and new perspectives. Ultimately he begins to heal
and held together with duct tape and tinfoil. It’s why the things he cannot fix and turn the pain of his
he worked his entire life as a plumber and a painter. past into something beautiful. A journey that takes
SATURDAY, APRIL 29 9PM AWARDS NIGHT But this is a story about the things he cannot fix: you through every human emotion, IMORDECAI
FREMONT THEATER AFTERPARTY Getting older, the Alzheimer’s diagnosis of his wife teaches you that it’s never too late for inspiration.
FESTIVAL LOUNGE: 967 OSOS Fela (CAROL KANE), and his relationship with his
5:30PM RED CARPET 102 min | USA
son Marvin (SEAN ASTIN, The Lord of the Rings).
6:30PM AWARDS CEREMONY STREET DIRECTOR: Marvin Samel
9PM AFTERPARTY Sometimes, something small and unexpected can
Party the night away with the award WRITERS: Marvin Samel, Rudy Gaines, Dahlia Heyman
change your whole world. For Mordecai, this moment
$25 General / $20 Student + Film Society winners, live music, bites and drinks at the PRODUCERS: Marvin Samel, Dahlia Heyman
happens when his son, Marvin, replaces his ancient
All-Access Passes and Red Carpet/Special Festival Lounge, just a quick walk from the KEY CAST: Sean Astin, Judd Hirsch, Carol Kane,
phone with a brand new iPhone. This act sets off a
Presentation Tickets accepted Fremont Theater. Azia Dinea Hale, Stephanie J. Block
series of unexpected events and magically changes
All-Access Passes Only both Mordecai and the people closest to him.
Rush Tickets: $50 General/$45 Student
NUCLEAR NOW
We are excited to be hosting the US Festival
Premiere of Oliver Stone’s new documentary
NUCLEAR NOW, based on the book, A
Bright Future, by Joshua S. Goldstein. With
unprecedented access to the nuclear industry in
France, Russia, and the United States, NUCLEAR
NOW explores the possibility for the global
community to overcome the challenges of climate
change and energy poverty to reach a brighter
future through the power of nuclear energy.
Looking squarely at the problem, Oliver Stone
shows us that knowledge is the antidote to fear,
and our human ingenuity will allow us to solve the
climate change crisis if we use it.
104 min | USA
DIRECTOR: Oliver Stone
WRITERS: Oliver Stone, Joshua S. Goldstein
PRODUCERS: Fernando Sulichin,
Maximilien Arvelaiz, Rob Wilson
SUNDAY, APRIL 30
FREMONT THEATER
9:30AM SUNDAY, APRIL 30 $25 General
$15 General FREMONT THEATER $20 Student + Film Society
All-Access Passes + Movie Star Passes accepted
$12 Film Society + Student 7PM AWARDS + SCREENING
US FESTIVAL PREMIERE Movie Star Passes accepted
14 S A T U R D A Y/ S U N D A Y S U N DAY 15
SPECIAL SCREENINGS SPECIAL SCREENINGS
RED EYE CINEMA: COASTAL AWAKENING:
A NIGHT OF MICROHORRORS A TRIBUTE TO HUNTER S. THOMPSON
SPONSORED BY MEGAN’S ORGANIC MARKET PRESENTED BY THE COASTAL AWAKENING AND THE SHANBROM FAMILY FOUNDATION
ALSO SUPPORTED BY KVEC NEWS TALK 920 AM, 96.5 FM
Every year Coastal Awakening sponsors several
films grouped around a central theme. This year, the
focus is on three films in celebration of writer Hunter
S. Thompson, whose appreciation for countercultures
and consciousness expansion exemplifies the mission
and vision of the Coastal Awakening, a loose collective
of local writers, artists, historians, chefs, surfers, and
philanthropists committed to preserving and promoting
the unique creative spirit of the Central Coast from Ojai
to Esalen. Thompson lived in Big Sur for a few years
in the early 1960s and published his first magazine
feature about the artists and outcasts drawn to life on
the Central Coast. He wrote, “This is the way life goes
in Big Sur: waiting for the mail, watching the sea lions in FRIDAY, APRIL 21
the surf or the dim lights of a ship far out at sea, sitting in AT THE SLO PUBLIC LIBRARY
the tubs at Hot Springs, once in a while a bit of drink — 7PM
and, most of the time, working at whatever it is that you The Creative Alchemy of
came here to work on, whether it be painting, writing, Hunter S. Thompson, Spawn of the Beats:
gardening or the simple art of living your own life.” An Evening with Author David Wills
Accompanying the film series will be featured
speaker David S. Wills, founder of the literary
journal Beatdom and author of High White Noise: SATURDAY, APRIL 22
The Rise and Fall of Gonzo Journalism. Wills will
introduce each of the Hunter S. Thompson films
AT THE SLO PUBLIC LIBRARY
and give a talk on Thompson’s art of living directly 12PM
following the 10am film Animals, Whores, and A Celebration of Gonzo Journalism and Zine Culture
Dialogue: Breakfast with Hunter Vol. 2.
K ATIE NE VILLE AND DISCERNMENT Prior to the festival, David will also join the Coastal
SUNDAY, APRIL 30
JASON K AISER, (2021) Awakening for other community events centered
FOUNDERS OF THE Lakin Jacino around Thompson and Gonzo Journalism hosted in AT THE PALM THEATRE
KILLER ANNUAL A young women finds herself in a vulnerable partnership with San Luis Obispo Public Library.
10AM
OCTOBER DIY mental state. When she seeks help from heaven, View more information about these ANIMALS, WHORES,
F I L M F E S T I VA L , she finds herself in Hell (4 min). films and talks on our website.
MICROHORRORS, AND DIALOGUE:
PRESENT A SPECIAL MASSACRE OF THE BREAKFAST WITH
EVENING OF TRICKS SORORITY BABES HUNTER VOL. 2
AND TRE ATS . (2022) (2010)
Matt McGill
An opportunity to see a few of the As three sorority members ponder their own 11:30AM
horrific shorts from the past two fests existence, someone watches them...with an David Wills talk: “Hunter S. Thompson
plus an exclusive retrospective slasher urge... to KILL (7 min). and the Simple Art of Living Your Own Life”
straight from the archives, INTRUDER. (Palm Theatre after film)
POTTY MOUTH 1:30PM
(2022)
Ian Meyers GONZO: THE LIFE
FRIDAY, APRIL 28 A foul-mouthed bully meets his match AND WORK OF
THE PALM THEATER on Halloween night (5 min). DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON
8:30 PM (2008)
SILENCE YOUR PHONES
$15 General (2022) 4:30PM
$12 Student + Film Society Jason Kaiser
Six women’s D&D campaign takes a
FEAR AND LOATHING
All-Access Passes accepted
turn for the worse (11 min). IN LAS VEGAS
(1998)
INTRUDER
(1989) $15 General
Scott Spiegel $12 Film Society + Student
The overnight stock crew of a local All-Access Passes accepted
supermarket find themselves being stalked and Photo Credit: Courier Journal
slashed by a mysterious maniac (88 min).
16 VISIT SLOFILMFEST.ORG FOR MORE INFOR M ATION 17SPECIAL SCREENINGS SPECIAL SCREENINGS
MAMA BEARS ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953)
SPONSORED BY: TRANZ CENTRAL COAST & SPONSORED BY: NATE’S ON MARSH
GROWING TOGETHER: AN LGBTQ+ FUND In celebration of its 70th anniversary, we bring back a cin-
Spread across the country but connected through private Facebook ematic classic in a beautiful restored version. Audiences are
groups, over 30,000 mothers in America—many from conservative, invited to fall in love with Oscar winners Audrey Hepburn and
Christian backgrounds—fully accept their LGBTQ+ children. They Gregory Peck all over again in this romantic comedy classic.
call themselves “mama bears” because while their love is warm and Nominated for a total of 10 Academy Awards, a modern-day
fuzzy, they fight ferociously to make the world kinder and safer for all princess who, rebelling against the royal obligations, explores
LGBTQ+ people. MAMA BEARS explores the journeys of two mama Rome on her own. She soon meets an American newspaper-
bears and a young lesbian whose struggle for self-acceptance man who pretends ignorance of her true identity, in the hopes
exemplifies why the mama bears movement is vitally important. of obtaining an exclusive story. Naturally, his plan falters as
they inevitably fall in love.
DIRECTOR: Daresha Kyi | PRODUCERS: Laura Tatham, Daresha Kyi
DIRECTOR: William Wyler
91 min | USA WRITERS: Dalton Trumbo, Ian McLellan Hunter, John Dighton
SUN 4PM DOWNTOWN PRODUCERS: Lester Koenig, Robert Wyler, William Wyler
70 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
118 min / USA
MOON GARDEN SUN 4PM FREMONT
SPONSORED BY: 7 POINTS DELIVERY
When a little girl has a terrible accident and slips into a coma,
she finds herself thrust into a darkly surreal industrial dreamworld. “ROME.
Haunted by a nightmarish spectre that feeds off her tears, she
must follow her mother’s radio-static voice to find her way back to BY ALL MEANS. ROME!”
consciousness. Shot on expired 35mm film stock with vintage re-
housed lenses, MOON GARDEN is a fantastical odyssey and a Show your pass for an exclusive cocktail fit for royalty at
visionary, handcrafted, and fully practical work of art that shows NATE’S ON MARSH. Just whisper “The Princess Ann.”
how a child can shine light even in the darkest places.
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Ryan Stevens Harris
PRODUCER: John Michael Elfers
Fantasy, Thriller / 93 min / USA
THURS 7:30PM PALM
OKLAHOMA BREAKDOWN SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN
SPONSORED BY: 98.1 KJUG & KRISTEN SWARTZMAN SPONSORED BY: LATINO OUTREACH COUNCIL
Spread across the country but connected through private This music documentary still remains as a captivating tale about the
Facebook groups, Mike Hosty is a one-man band, freak of best singer-songwriter you’ve never heard of. An Oscar winning
nature, comedian and talented musician able to produce original documentary that tells the remarkable story about a man by the name
pieces and performances on the fly. When Stoney LaRue turned of Sixto Rodriquez. Rodriquez, the child of a Mexican immigrant with
Hosty’s “Oklahoma Breakdown” into the #1 hit of 2007, few working class parents in Detroit, had the voice and songwriting skills
knew anything about the creator. OKLAHOMA BREAKDOWN of Bob Dylan but his albums failed to sell in the United States in the
dives into why an underground legend has his reservations about 1970s. Little did he know that he was in fact a cultural phenomenon in
fame and limelight. South Africa. Two South African record store owners go on a quest to
get to the bottom of what happened to their musical hero.
DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCER: Christopher Fitzpatrick
DIRECTOR: Malik Bendjelloul
92 min / USA
86 min / Sweden, United Kingdom, Finland
WED 7:30PM PALM
WEST COAST PREMIERE
ENCORE TUES 7:30PM PASO SUN 1PM FREMONT
CA
PARTY GIRL (1995) WE ARE STILL HERE
SPONSORED BY: MADONNA INN SPONSORED BY: SWIFT ACTION FUND
A brand new restored version of a cult classic that was the first WE ARE STILL HERE is a unique Indigenous film that weaves together
film to ever premiere live on the internet in 1995! Parker Posey eight powerful tales to tell a sweeping story of hope and survival.
stars as a 20-something, irresponsible party girl who bailed out Through the eyes of these protagonists, the film traverses 1,000
of jail by her librarian godmother. To repay the loan, she starts years (past, present, and future) to explore kinship, loss, grief, and
working at the library and gradually turns her life around. This resilience. In a universal story, WE ARE STILL HERE ultimately shows
is a rare opportunity to see this unique film oozing with fashion, the strength of love and hope in overcoming shared traumas that
one of a kind characters and a non-stop party! Indigenous people from Australia, New Zealand and the South
Pacific continue to face.
DIRECTOR: Daisy von Scherler Mayer
WRITERS/PRODUCERS: Harry Birckmayer, Sheila Gaffney DIRECTORS: Beck Cole, Dena Curtis, Tracey Rigney, Danielle
KEY CAST: Parker Posey, Liev Schreiber, Omar Townsend, MacLean, Tim Worrall, Renae Maihi, Miki Magasiva, Mario Gaoa,
The Lady Bunny Richard Curtis, Chantelle Burgoyne
*see full credits on our website*
Comedy / 94 min / USA
90 min / Australia, New Zealand
FRI 4:30PM PALM CA
SUN 10:30AM PALM
18 VISIT SLOFILMFEST.ORG FOR MORE INFOR M ATION 19SLO LIFE TIP #25 GEORGE SIDNEY
KEEP OUR INDEPENDENT
FILM COMPETITION
GREEN HILLS
CAMERA READY
Our annual film competition continues to attract exciting new independent films from around
the world. Named after George Sidney, the Festival’s first recipient of the King Vidor Award,
Sidney was a Central Coast resident and a passionate supporter of independent filmmaking.
A panel of more than 100 screeners evaluated over 1,200 submissions, helping us make some very difficult
decisions to finalize our Official Selections. The finalists in competition are juried by a panel of film and media
professionals, and cash prizes will be awarded at the Fremont Theater during our Awards Night Gala on
Saturday, April 29. Jury bios are available at slofilmfest.org
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
RENEE TOD — Producer/Development Executive - B-Side Films
COREY MCLEAN — Alumni Filmmaker, HAVANA LIBRE
NARRATIVE FEATURES
CHELSEA CHRISTER — Alumni Filmmaker, BLEEDING AUDIO
HERB STRATFORD — Film Festival Programmer/Film Critic
KRISTIN BAUER — AMC Networks SVOD/Sr. Manager, Marketing
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
RENEE WHALEN — Documentary Journalist
ROB YOUNG — Alumni Filmmaker, BRING THEM HOME (Award Winner, 2022)
NARRATIVE SHORTS
LORENA GORDON — Alumni Filmmaker, AT LAST
A.J. GORDON — Alumni Filmmaker, AT LAST
ADDITIONAL FILM
COMPETITIONS
Lights, camera, climate action! Did you know Visit San Luis Obispo’s
Keys for Trees program donates a portion of your hotel room charge
to plant trees in our community? It’s an easy way to travel sustainably
CENTRAL COAST FILMMAKER SHOWCASE
while you’re here for the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, JODY NELSON — Producer/Educator — Nelson Films
plus support our city’s vision to be carbon neutral by 2035.
RANDI BARROS — Filmmaker/Editor
Learn about our goal to plant 10,000 trees and other sustainable ANUJA GANPULE-SHEOREY — Alumni Filmmaker, CANDLE & THE CURSE
tourism initiatives at VisitSLO.com/Sustainable-SLO
MUSIC VIDEO SHOWCASE
MANUEL DEL VALLE — Alumni Filmmaker, THE SKY BELONGS TO NO ONE (Award Winner, 2022)
DAVID HARDBERGER — Filmmaker/VFX Artist
ERNESTO RIVERA — Visual Artist/Experimental Painter
LET’S GO BACK TO THE MOVIES 21NARRATIVE FEATURES NARRATIVE FEATURES
THE BEEHIVE HOME OWNERS
SPONSORED BY: 93.3 KZOZ SPONSORED BY: TREVOR, EMILY & BABY GEORGE KIMBALL
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Alexander Lasheras A captivating science-fiction drama follows a DIRECTORS: Pablo Aragues, Marta Cabrera In search of their forever home, Ana and Maxi
PRODUCERS: Alexander Lasheras, Arun Fryer, family facing an unexplainable cosmic event WRITER: Pablo Aragues are shown the house of their dreams for less than
Mike Johnston on their farm. When the young, curious and PRODUCER: Marta Cabrera their budget. Everything is perfect until they realize
adventurous Rosemary discovers what she assumes that it is even better than they thought: the house
to be a large beehive growing on a branch of gives them everything they ask for. This fast-paced,
one of their trees, she visits it each day to carefully surrealist and thrilling comedy leaves you on the
document its unusual growth and soon discovers edge of your seat as Ana and Max discover what
it’s not what she thought it was. Featuring up-and- happens when they stop asking the house for what
coming Indigenous talent and a scenic Canadian they want.
landscape, as the hive and threat grows, so do Comedy, Horror / 72 min / Spain
tensions within the community and family.
WED 6PM DOWNTOWN
Sci-Fi, Drama / 86 min / Canada SAT 3:15PM DOWNTOWN
THURS 7:30PM DOWNTOWN ENCORE THURS 4:30PM PASO
FRI 4PM DOWNTOWN
SAT 7:30PM PALM
WEST COAST PREMIERE
BLACKBERRY I LIKE MOVIES
SPONSORED BY: MATCHFIRE SPONSORED BY: POINT OF ACTION
DIRECTOR: Matt Johnson BLACKBERRY tells the story of Mike Lazaridis (Jay DIRECTOR/WRITER: Chandler Levack Teenage cinephile Lawrence dreams of attending
WRITERS: Matt Johnson, Matthew Miller Baruchel) and Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton), the PRODUCERS: Lindsay Blair Goeldner, Evan Dubinsky, film school in the Fall. In order to raise the hefty
PRODUCER: Niv Fichman two men who charted the course of the spectacular Chandler Levack tuition fee, he gets his dream job at a local video
rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first store, Sequels. Wracked with anxiety about his
smartphone. Recounting the Canadian company’s future, he begins alienating the most important
humble yet chaotic rise to market dominance, people in his life — his best friend Matt and his single
BLACKBERRY is a darkly comedic telling of the tragic mother Terri — all while developing a complicated
tale of a Canadian company that revolutionized the friendship with his older female manager, Alana. As
way we communicate, before swiftly plummeting into graduation looms, a series of painful realizations
obsolescence. force Lawrence to realize that he has some growing
up to do.
Drama / 124 min / Canada, USA
Comedy, Drama / 99 min / Canada
TUES 7PM FREMONT
THURS 10:15AM DOWNTOWN THURS 12PM FREMONT
SAT 4PM DOWNTOWN SAT 4:30PM PALM
ENCORE WED 7:30PM PASO
EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE LOVED JAMOJAYA
SPONSORED BY: MAGGIE KING IN MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND DALE KING SPONSORED BY: COAST 104.5
DIRECTOR: Katharina Woll | WRITERS: Florian Plumeyer, On a blisteringly hot summer day, psychotherapist DIRECTOR: Justin Chon | WRITERS: Justin Chon, Straight from Sundance, JAMOJAYA follows
Katharina Woll | PRODUCERS: Markus Kaatsch, Nina Ina notices something is wrong with her but Maegan Houang | PRODUCERS: Alan Pao, Justin Chon, James, an aspiring Indonesian rapper, as he
Poschinski, Michael Grudsky doesn’t have time to worry about it. With patients David Matheny, Joseph Dang, Alex Chi, Yama Cibulka, records his debut album for a major U.S. record
waiting at her practice, her daughter threatening Shaun Sanghani label. Accompanied in Hawaii by his father and
to move in with her father, her boyfriend former manager, who is still mourning the death
pressuring to move them to another country, and of James’ brother and unwilling to surrender
her self-centered mother’s 70th birthday party control of his career, James sinks deeper in debt
closing in, Ina is desperate to please everyone to the label. Caught between the music industry’s
without losing herself. commercial demands and a power struggle with
his suffocating but loving stage dad, James is
Comedy, Drama / 80 min / Germany forced to find his voice.
THURS 1:30PM DOWNTOWN Drama / 90 min / USA
SAT 6:30PM DOWNTOWN
SUN 1:30PM DOWNTOWN THURS 2PM DOWNTOWN
FRI 1:30PM FREMONT
SAT 1PM PALM
STUDENT PROJECT
22 VISIT SLOFILMFEST.ORG FOR MORE INFOR M ATION 23NARRATIVE FEATURES NARRATIVE FEATURES
LAND OF GOLD RODEO
SPONSORED BY: FREDERICK LAW FIRM SPONSORED BY: PERINET
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Nardeep Khurmi First-generation Punjabi truck driver Kiran is DIRECTOR: Lola Quivoron A unique and high speed first-time feature from
PRODUCERS: Nardeep Khurmi, Keertana Sastry, Pallavi a soon-to-be dad. When on the job he hears WRITERS: Lola Quivoron, Antonia Buresi Venice Film Festival, RODEO shares the story of
Sastry, Simon Taufique pounding inside his shipping container and PRODUCER: Charles Gillibert a hot-tempered and fiercely independent Julia,
finds a young Mexican-American girl inside, his who thrives in hostile environments and turns every
already tumultuous life takes a drastic turn as he situation to her advantage. Her obsession with
seeks to reunite her with her family. What begins the high-octane world of urban ‘Rodeos’— illicit
as a road trip to Boston becomes much more gatherings where riders show off their bikes and
as they form a friendship and teach each other latest daring stunts — sparks a chance meeting
unforgettable lessons. with a volatile clique. Striving to prove herself to the
ultra-masculine gang, Julia performs cons and runs
Drama / 105 min / USA errands for their incarcerated ring leader.
THURS 4:30PM DOWNTOWN Drama / 107 min / France
FRI 6:45PM DOWNTOWN
THURS 7PM PALM
FRI 7:30PM PALM
SAT 5PM DOWNTOWN
MEDITERRANEAN FEVER SCRAPPER
SPONSORED BY: PAUL & ROBYN METCHIK SPONSORED BY: CINDY WATHEN-KENNEDY
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Maha Haj Waleed, an aspiring writer suffering from chronic DIRECTOR/WRITER: Charlotte Regan Following her mother’s death, a resourceful
PRODUCERS: Baher Aghbariya, Thanassis Karathanos, depression, develops a close relationship with his PRODUCERS: Theo Barrowclough, Eva Yates, 12-year-old girl, Georgie, continues to live alone in
Martin Hampel, Juliette Lepoutre, Pierre Menahem, new neighbor, a small-time crook. Though having Farhana Bhula, Michael Fassender, Conor McCaughan, their London-outskirts flat. Making money stealing
Marios Piperides, Janine Teerling an ulterior plot in mind, the scheme turns into an Daniel Emmerson, Jim Reeve bikes and keeping the social workers off her back
unexpected friendship between the two men and by pretending to live with an uncle, her plan works
leads them through a journey of dark encounters. like a charm until Jason (Harris Dickinson, Triangle
of Sadness), her long-estranged father, shows up.
Drama, Dark-Comedy / 108 min / Palestine, Sizing him up as a rubbish dad, Georgie wonders
Germany, France, Cyprus and Qatar why he’s suddenly taking an interest. Straight from
THURS 4:30PM PALM Sundance, this vibrant, joyful, imaginative father-
SAT 7PM PALM daughter story beautifully brings together two
emotionally tangled people: a grieving kid thrust
into adulthood and a father in over his head.
Comedy, Drama / 84 min / UK
THURS 6PM DOWNTOWN
SAT 3:30PM DOWNTOWN
OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS
SPONSORED BY: PAUL & ROBYN METCHIK SPONSORED BY: MARY BAIAMONTE
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Ellie Foumbi An African refugee works as the head chef at a DIRECTOR: Juan Felipe Zuleta | WRITER: Leland Frankel Peter is a misanthropic little person hiding from
PRODUCERS: Ellie Foumbi, Joseph Mastantuono retirement home in small-town France, but her quiet PRODUCERS: Juan Sebastian Jaimes, Matthew August the world in his shabby New York City apartment.
existence is upended by the arrival of Father Patrick, Jeffers, Juan Felipe Zuleta, Masha Leonov, Sarah Hay, When an unexpected visit from his upbeat and
a charismatic priest with whom she’s convinced Leland Frankel, Ramfis Myrthil unhinged neighbor, Winona, forces him out of his
she shared a traumatic past in her homeland. As shell and onto an impromptu road trip to what she
Father Patrick charms all her co-workers, Marie must believes to be an upcoming alien visitation site, he
decide if she will exact her revenge or cling to the reluctantly agrees. On their increasingly surreal
new life she’s built. Nominated for an Independent odyssey, Peter and Winona encounter bickering
Spirit Award. lesbian cosplayers, shroom-addled survivalists,
and even extraterrestrial highway cops. But the
Content Warning: Mature themes and further they go and the more their trauma comes
sexual trauma. to light, it becomes clear that the only thing more
Drama / 108 min / USA, Cameroon nerve-wracking than being abducted is being
alone in the universe.
THURS 7:15PM DOWNTOWN
FRI 7PM DOWNTOWN Drama / 100 min / USA
SUN 1:15PM DOWNTOWN THURS 12PM DOWNTOWN
FRI 11:30AM DOWNTOWN
24 VISIT SLOFILMFEST.ORG FOR MORE INFOR M ATION 25DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES SPONSORED BY MECHANICS BANK
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
BODY PARTS DUSTY AND STONES
SPONSORED BY: WOMEN MAKING WAVES SPONSORED BY: 98.1 KJUG & HYDE PARK PARTNERS
DIRECTOR: Kristy Guevara-Flanagan In an industry historically dominated by the male DIRECTOR: Jesse Rudoy Dusty and Stones struggle to sustain a country
PRODUCER: Helen Hood Scheer gaze, BODY PARTS, featuring Jane Fonda and PRODUCERS: Melissa Adeyemo, Jesse Rudoy music career in their tiny African kingdom of
other prominent actresses in the industry, traces Swaziland and yearn for greater recognition.
the evolution of intimacy on screen, uncovering the When they are unexpectedly invited to record their
often invisible and uncomfortable realities behind songs in Nashville and compete in a Texas battle
some of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history. of the bands, the two cousins journey to the heart
Exploring the toll it takes on those directly involved of American country music, determined to win big
and their impact on women in the real world, this and turn their careers around.
insightful and revealing documentary celebrates 83 min / USA
the positive changes now rippling through the
entertainment industry and the bold creators FRI 2:30PM DOWNTOWN
leading the way. SAT 11AM DOWNTOWN
ENCORE TUES 4:30PM PASO
86 min / USA
FRI 5PM PALM
SUN 10:30AM DOWNTOWN
BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY THE GRAB
SPONSORED BY: MONA & GORDON JENNINGS SPONSORED BY: STACEY HUNT & IRENE SHIPPEE & JANICE ROHN
DIRECTORS/PRODUCERS: Bradford Thomason, This nostalgic and feel-good documentary tells the DIRECTOR/WRITER: Gabriela Cowperthwaite In the newest documentary by the director of
Brett Whitcomb | WRITER: Bradford Thomason story of the beloved PBS children’s series, Reading PRODUCERS: Nathan Halverson, Amanda Pike, Blye Blackfish (2013), an investigative journalist
Rainbow, its iconic host LeVar Burton, and the Pagon Faust, Nicole Rocklin, Gabriela Cowperthwaite uncovers the truth behind the money, influence
challenges its creators faced in cultivating a love of and rationale that goes into the covert efforts to
reading through television. With the series focused control the most vital resources on the planet —
on bringing books to life and finding fun in reading, food and water.
Reading Rainbow and Burton became a conduit to 104 min / USA
learning for children of every background, delving
behind the pages to the people, places and things WED 11:30AM FREMONT
each story explored. FRI 11AM DOWNTOWN
SAT 1:30PM DOWNTOWN
86 min / USA
THURS 3PM FREMONT
SAT 10AM DOWNTOWN
SUN 12PM DOWNTOWN
CROWS ARE WHITE HOLLYWOOD’S FINEST
SPONSORED BY: PATRICIA GOMEZ & FRANKLIN M. SEIPLE, ARCHITECT SPONSORED BY: BIZ STEINBERG IN MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND HOWARD STEINBERG
DIRECTOR: Ahsen Nadeem | WRITERS: Ahsen Nadeem, After decades of living a secret life and struggling DIRECTOR: Claire Hannah Collins An intimate portrait of motherhood on the streets
Matt Mayes, Dawn Light Blackman to reconcile his desires with his faith, a filmmaker WRITERS: Claire Hannah Collins, Gale Holland of Los Angeles, HOLLYWOOD’S FINEST follows
PRODUCERS: Riel Roch Decter, Sebastian Pardo, Ahsen travels to a strict Japanese monastery in search PRODUCERS: Gale Holland, Erik Himmelsbach-Weinstein McKenzie through pregnancy in a Hollywood
Nadeem, Ben Renzo, Jill Ahrens, Ryan Ahrens of guidance. But the only monk who will help unhoused encampment to the fight to recover her
him prefers ice cream and heavy metal over child from the custody of the city’s Family Services.
meditation. Together they forge an unlikely By detailing the support McKenzie received
friendship that leads them to higher truths and from her street family, nomadic mom and social
occasionally a little trouble. Shot over five years worker and her own history of addiction and
on three continents, CROWS ARE WHITE is an housing insecurity, HOLLYWOOD’S FINEST looks
exploration of truth, faith and love, from the top of into the complex network of social workers and
a mountain to the bottom of a sundae. bureaucracy she encounters while struggling to find
her footing in mainstream society.
100 min / USA
78 min / USA
THURS 5PM DOWNTOWN
FRI 3:45PM DOWNTOWN WED 5:30PM DOWNTOWN
SUN 10:15AM DOWNTOWN FRI 10:30AM DOWNTOWN
SAT 10:30AM DOWNTOWN
WEST COAST PREMIERE
26 VISIT SLOFILMFEST.ORG FOR MORE INFOR M ATION 27DOCUMENTARY FEATURES DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
IN PURSUIT OF FLAVOR OKAY! THE ASD BAND FILM
SPONSORED BY: THE KRUSH 92.5 SPONSORED BY: PRAMS
DIRECTOR: Gerod Bond An apologetic sommelier returns to his once-home DIRECTOR: Mark Bone | WRITERS: Gregory Rosati, Following the members of The ASD Band, four
WRITERS: Gerod Bond, Ashwin Muthiah of Georgia to explore the humble and hidden Andrew Simon | PRODUCERS: David Bodanis, Mark talented musicians with autism embark upon the
PRODUCER: Matthew Courchaine truth about wine and its inception. In touring the Bone, Amalie Bruun, Gregory Rosati, Andrew Simon, challenging journey of writing their first original
lush countryside and documenting the deceptively Tamara Sulliman album and gearing up to perform in their first
simple process of Georgian winemaking and the live show.
unique fruits of its labor — namely, orange wine — 87 min / Canada
Ashwin rediscovers the original magic that saved his
life and brought him to the world of flavor. THURS 3PM DOWNTOWN
FRI 2PM DOWNTOWN
61 min / USA SAT 10AM FREMONT —— Sensory Friendly
WED 1:30PM DOWNTOWN Screening
SAT 1:30PM PALM
ENCORE THURS 7:30PM PASO
WEST COAST PREMIERE
LOVELY JACKSON PASANG: IN THE SHADOW OF EVEREST
SPONSORED BY: SHARON & JOHN DOBSON SPONSORED BY: SHARON DOBSON & SUZAN BOATMAN
DIRECTOR: Matt Waldeck | WRITERS: Rickey Jackson, Following the longest wrongfully incarcerated person DIRECTOR: Nancy Svendsen | WRITER: Sharon Wood Though Nepalis assist as sherpas for tourists daily,
Matt Waldeck | PRODUCERS: Matt Waldeck, Rickey in U.S. history, LOVELY JACKSON is the harrowing PRODUCERS: Sharon Wood, Christy McGill, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa risked everything to become
Jackson, Ben Hecht, Travis Killian, Jillian Wolstein true story of Rickey Jackson, a man who spent 39 Andrea Pierpont the first Nepali woman to summit Everest. As an
years on death row and in prison for a crime he uneducated, Indigenous woman and a Buddhist
was convicted of based solely on the eye witness in a Hindu kingdom, Pasang’s dream to scale the
testimony of a 12-year-old neighborhood paper boy. legendary mountain pitted her against family, foreign
In a retelling of his experience, Jackson returns to the climbers, her own government, and nature itself. Her
prison he was sent to as an innocent man and guides determined pursuit of Everest plays out within the
his younger self from death row to freedom. context of her nation’s quest for democracy and the
emergence of the commercial climbing industry.
104 min / USA
71 min / USA
THURS 4PM PALM
SAT 1PM DOWNTOWN THURS 10:30AM DOWNTOWN
SUN 3:15PM DOWNTOWN FRI 11AM FREMONT
SUN 9:30AM DOWNTOWN
CA
NO ORDINARY CAMPAIGN RELENTLESS RIDE
SPONSORED BY: THE MARTHA OLSON FERNANDEZ FOUNDATION, SPONSORED BY: COVELOP
THE BAUMBERGERS IN MEMORY OF HELEN BAUMBERGER &
TOM WILSON IN TRIBUTE TO JACKIE MACFARLANE DIRECTOR/WRITER/PRODUCERS: Brian Hill, Every year, cyclists brave the Arkansas High Country
Adam Harbottle bike-packing race on some of the best and worst
DIRECTOR: Christopher Burke At just 37, Brian Wallach was diagnosed with ALS and gravel roads in the state, riding 1,000 miles and
PRODUCERS: Tim Rummel, Christopher Burke quickly discovered that there is no system built to help climbing 80,000 feet. With little to no sleep and
patients like him deal with this new reality. Instead, he having to carry, find, or buy everything needed to
found a broken and failed system in which doctors complete the course, some cyclists push their limits to
told patients to “get their affairs in order and get ready achieve the fastest known time while others simply try
to die.” From executive producer Katie Couric and to finish the race and find themselves along the way.
featuring interviews with Barack Obama and Mark As bodies fail and minds betray, these cyclists explore
Zuckerberg, NO ORDINARY CAMPAIGN follows the the depth of their own humanity.
formation of I AM ALS, Brian’s patient-led nonprofit
dedicated to patients taking control of the fight for their 106 min / USA
lives, breaking down walls and finding new solutions. THURS 11AM DOWNTOWN
82 min / USA SAT 2PM DOWNTOWN
SUN 1PM DOWNTOWN
THURS 1:15PM DOWNTOWN
SAT 12:15PM DOWNTOWN
SUN 1:45PM PALM
WORLD PREMIERE
28 VISIT SLOFILMFEST.ORG FOR MORE INFOR M ATION 29SCHEDULE
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES TUESDAY
SURF NATION LOC ATION TIMES
SPONSORED BY: ADAMSKI, MOROSKI, MADDEN, CUMBERLAND & GREEN LLP
DIRECTORS: Jessica Chen, Jeremiah Bogert Jr. As China trains its first generation of Olympic surfers,
PRODUCERS: Diane Quon, Nevo Shinaar, Jessica Chen, two promising young athletes navigate adolescence, HQ
Open
Jeremiah Bogert Jr. freedom and their love of the sport. Filmed over a 9AM–8PM
two-year period, SURF NATION follows as hundreds
of young recruits leave their families and are paid
to live together in a communal hotel, take classes six LUNA Opening Night Reception (p10)
days a week, and become elite surfers. Though the RED 5PM
recruits face extreme pressure to avoid being kicked
out of the program, their Australian coaches teach
not only technique, but surfing’s central attribute: Opening Night (p10) Movie Starts
individuality, in a culture that demands conformity. FREMONT Doors Open 7PM
6:15PM
88 min / USA
WED 4:30PM PALM
FRI 12:45PM DOWNTOWN
SUN 10AM DOWNTOWN
SCHEDULE
CA
WEDNESDAY
VICUNA SALVATION LOC ATION TIMES
SPONSORED BY: PACIFIC WILDLIFE CARE
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Luis Ara | PRODUCERS: Luis Ara, At more than 5,000 meters above sea level,
HQ
Open
Michael Safley, Dale Cantwell, Bruno Franco Abuapara, VICUNA SALVATION tells the incredible story of 9AM–8PM
Andrew Curtis, Aaron Marcellino the conservation of a species and the empowerment
of a community that lives in the Peruvian mountains.
With the vicuña producing the finest wool fiber in SHORTS #5:
the world and its garments costing thousands of Shoe Shine FAMILY MATTERS (p48)
dollars, poachers and the black market led to the Caddie (p46) 7PM
near-extinction of the species. Alerting the Peruvian PALM
4PM
government to the situation, global brands and Oklahoma
communities made a pact to only market garments Surf Nation (p30) Breakdown (p18)
that were made with certified fiber. 4:30PM 7:30PM
65 min / USA
FRI 1:30PM DOWNTOWN The Amphora
SAT 10AM DOWNTOWN Project (p44) +
ENCORE WED 4:30PM PASO In Pursuit of SHORTS #3:
Angulos de la Hora Flavor (p28) POWER IN
(p44) + The Greatest of 1:30PM COMMUNITY (p48)
WORLD PREMIERE all Tina (p45) 5PM
11AM Fresh to Frightening
DCC
(p45) + Epic Bill (p44) Hollywood’s
Bread Bike (p44) + 2:30PM Finest (p27)
Over the past couple of years we’ve Physically going to the movies is an experience. It Something to 5:30PM
watched as we’ve all become comfortable becomes a memory. An “Oh I haven’t seen that since Crow About (p56) Friends Call
watching movies at home on our couches. it came out in theaters!” Or “Wow I can’t believe 12PM Us Unlucky (p45) + Home owners (p23)
While this was necessary and has allowed for that was 10 years ago!” Or the bragging rights of Woodsman (p56) 6PM
more accessibility and convenience, there’s nothing “Yep, saw that one in theaters on opening day!” 3PM
like entering those big theater doors, smelling Who did you go with? What was the audience like?
popcorn, waiting in anticipation as the trailers play Did you dress up and wait in line for hours? Was there a
for slightly too long, and then all at once being Music Video / CCFS
rude couple who wouldn’t stop making noise throughout
transported to another place, life, time or feeling. Red Carpet (p11)
the whole film? Did you laugh about that afterwards?
Jokes are always a little funnier when 6:30PM
While we are excited to offer a virtual festival for those Whale-Roads (p46) + Jack Has
the people around you are laughing who are unable to attend in person, we are even more FREMONT The Grab (p27) A Plan (p45) Music Video
too. Jump scares are somehow excited to see movies on the big 11:30AM 2:30PM Showcase +
more frightening. Heartbreak is a screen with you! CCFS / Music Video
little more earth shattering when
immersed in the silence and tears Awards (p11)
of everyone around you, and LET’S GO BAC K 7:30PM
happy endings are substantially
sweeter when you’ve all been on this
TO THE MOVIES!
two-hour journey together. LOUNGE OPEN CCFS Filmmaker Music Video / CCFS
LOUNGE
5PM–10PM Mixer Afterparty (p11)
5PM 9PM
30 VISIT SLOFILMFEST.ORG FOR MORE INFOR M ATION T U E S D A Y/ W E D N E S D A Y — A P R I L 2 5 TH, 2 6 TH 2 0 2 3 31SCHEDULE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY FRIDAY
LOC ATION TIMES LOC ATION TIMES
HQ
Open HQ
Open
9AM–8PM 9AM–8PM
Lovely Jackson (p28) Rodeo (p25) Rodeo (p25)
4PM 7PM Party Girl (p18) 7:30PM
PALM
4:30PM
Mediterranean Moon Garden (p18)
PALM
MicroHorrors +
Fever (p24) 7:30PM Body Parts (p26) Intruder (p16)
4:30PM 5PM 8:30PM
SHORTS #3:
POWER IN Surf Nation (p30)
COMMUNITY (p48) 12:45PM
1PM
SHORTS #1: SHORTS #1:
LIFE, ANIMATED: No Ordinary LIFE, ANIMATED:
ANIMATION Campaign (p28) Crows Are ANIMATION
SHORTS (p48) 1:15PM White (p26) SHORTS (p48)
9:30AM SHORTS #4: 1PM
Everybody Wants 5PM I‘M HERE (p48)
SHORTS #2: To Be Loved (p22) 10AM Vicuna SHORTS #2:
I’m OKAY (p48) 1:30PM Scrapper (p25) Salvation (p30) I’M OKAY (p48)
10AM 6PM SHORTS #6: 1:30PM 5:30PM
Jamojaya (p23) REMEMBER
BLACKBERRY (p22) 2PM SHORTS #5: WHEN? (p48) Dani’s Twins (p42) + SHORTS #3:
DCC 10:15AM FAMILY 10AM Okay! The ASD POWER IN
Okay! The ASD MATTERS (p48) Band Film (p29) COMMUNITY (p48)
Pasang (p29) Band Film (p29) 6:30PM DCC Hollywood’s 2PM 6:15PM
10:30AM 3PM Finest (p27)
Our Father, 10:30AM Dusty and Land of Gold (p24)
Relentless SHORTS #4: The Devil (p24) Stones (p27) 6:45PM
Ride (p29) I‘M HERE (p48) 7:15PM The Grab (p27) 2:30PM
11AM 4PM 11AM Our Father,
The Beehive (p22) SHORTS #5: the Devil (p24)
Unidentified SHORTS #6: 7:30PM Unidentified FAMILY 7PM
Objects (p25) REMEMBER Objects (p25) MATTERS (p48)
12PM WHEN? (p48) 11:30AM 3:30PM
4:15PM
Crows Are
Land Of Gold (p24) White (p26)
4:30PM 3:45PM
The Beehive (p22)
Butterfly in Cal Poly 4PM
FREMONT I Like Movies (p23) the Sky (p26) Short Cuts (p49)
12PM 3PM 6PM
Surf Nite (p13)
Doors Open
E.T. at the Pasang (p29) Jamojaya (p23) Music / Mingling
Drive-In (p12) FREMONT 5:30PM
11AM 1:30PM
DRIVE-IN Doors Open
Photo Ops FILM Starts
6:30PM 7PM
Movie Starts
8PM Lounge Open Surf Nite
LOUNGE
12–10:30PM AFTERPARTY
8:30PM
LOUNGE
Open
12PM–10:30PM
32 T H U R S D A Y — DAAPTREI L 2 7 T H , 2 0 2 3 F R I D A Y — AD
PAR TI LE 2 8 T H , 2 0 2 3 33You can also read
