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Hollywood arrives in San Luis Obispo
The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
announces special guests appearances
and full festival program for it’s 16th annual festival
San Luis Obispo, CA — The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival is excited to announce its slate of films and events for the 16th annual festival. San Luis Obispo County will play host to hundreds of visiting filmmakers, celebrities and movie buffs during the festival’s 10 days of films, special events, filmmaking panels and parties, from Friday, March 12 to Sunday, March 21, 2010.
The 16th annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival has now blossomed into a full-fledged celebration of film and video that features a wide variety of new contemporary films from around the world, while continuing the tradition of screening older films as well. A focus on Irish cinema, brand new venues in Atascadero and Paso Robles and many special guests from around the world will combine to make the 2010 Festival more exciting than ever.
The Festival will open with a World Premiere of a brand new film by Aaron Metchik, shot entirely on the Central Coast with a mix of Hollywood and local actors and crew. TEN YEARS LATER will premiere at the Downtown Center Cinemas in San Luis Obispo, on Friday, March 12 at 7:00pm, with many cast and crew in attendance.
On Saturday, March 13, the day kicks off with the 2nd annual Movie in a Day Marathon, with amateur filmmakers competing to make a short film in only 7 hours, from conception to finished film. Films are based on a logline given right before shooting begins. Crews of four will fan out through downtown San Luis Obispo to shoot their films from 10am-2pm and edit from 2-5pm. Completed films and prizes will be presented on Sunday, March 21 at 1:00pm at the Downtown Cinemas in San Luis Obispo.
Film highlights the first weekend include excellent new documentaries, SPEAKING IN TONGUES, THE LEGEND OF PANCHO BARNES AND THE HAPPY BOTTOM RIDING CLUB, the 2009 Oscar-nominated THE GARDEN, BROADCAST BLUES, SEA CHANGE and WHITE WASH. On Saturday night, the SLOIFF will present the World Premiere of GOOD INTENTIONS, a film shot in Georgia co-starring LeAnne Rimes and Luke Perry, with Associate Producer and local cinematographer, John Stanier in attendance. More announcements soon on other cast and crew attending.
The first Red Carpet Event happens on Saturday, March 13, with an exciting event at Santa Margarita Ranch, just outside Santa Margarita. Actor/director JOSH BROLIN will be in on the fun that includes a Barbeque dinner, Cow Plop (buy a square in a paddock for $10 and hope to win $1000 if the cow 'plops' in your square!), live and silent auction and Western-themed music by the Fabulous Banker Boys. The highlight of the evening will be a conversation with Mr. Brolin, hosted by KCBX radio's Take Two hosts, Jim Dee and Bob Whiteford. Film clips highlighting Mr. Brolin's remarkable career will be shown as well.
Three Hollywood & Vines Events are planned throughout the ten-day Festival. The first on Sunday, March 14 will feature a Tribute to David Carradine and family, with Bobby and Ian Carradine performing folks songs at the Studios on the Park in Paso Robles from 2-3:30pm. Two films will follow at 4 and 7pm: a brand new documentary about legendary guitar maker, Stuart Mossman (THE LEGEND OF STUART MOSSMAN) that features two generations of guitar-playing Carradine's (David, Keith, Bobby and Ian), and BOUND FOR GLORY, the story of Woody Guthrie with David Carradine in the lead role.
Other Hollywood & Vines Events include a St. Patrick's Day reception and screening at the Pavilion on the Park in Atascadero, on Wednesday, March 17 at 6:00pm. The reception will feature Irish food, music, local wines and "green" beverages, and magic by Rich Ferguson, followed by a screening of the John Ford classic, THE QUIET MAN.
Kicking off the beginning of the Zinfandel Festival in Paso Robles, A Night at the Moulin Rouge (final H&V Event) happens on Friday, March 19 at Vina Robles Winery. A reception in the tasting room at 6:00pm with live opera singers promoting Opera SLO's upcoming LA BOHEME, will be followed by a screening of the Oscar-winning classic, MOULIN ROUGE.
Surf Nite in SLO will be back for its fifth year at the Fremont Theatre with an Irish theme this year, in honor of St. Patrick's Day. WAVERIDERS, featuring Kelly Slater, the Malloy Brothers and some truly epic waves, will screen with director Joel Conroy in attendance, straight from Ireland, along with some notable surfers to be announced soon. Dana Cummings, founder of AmpSurf, will do a brief introduction and a portion of Surf Nite's proceeds will go to helping this important organization grow. A Q & A session, raffle and a Celtic after-party with live music by Molly's Revenge, will happen after the screening at the nearby Mo/Tav (formerly Mother's Tavern) in downtown San Luis Obispo.
On the Closing night of the Festival, Sat. March 20, the evening will begin at 7:30pm, with the 2010 Independent Film Awards at the Fremont Theatre. Major media sponsors will present cash awards in five categories, as well as three Audience Awards. Then the 2010 King Vidor Award recipient, actor/writer/songwriter, Alan Arkin, will be presented with the prestigious award, with a presentation and Q&A hosted by former King Vidor recipient, James Cromwell. Son Adam Arkin and other friends and family will be part of the celebration of Mr. Arkin's impressive career. Following the awards, his first feature film, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, will be screened at approx. 9pm.
Non-stop festival screenings will begin on Saturday, March 12 (with winning films screened on Sunday, March 21) and will feature quality independent cinema from over a dozen countries in a wide variety of genres, from arts to sports to politics, romantic comedies and everything in between. The majority of these films have been submitted to the George Sidney Independent Film Competition and about 90% of the filmmakers will be attending the Festival this year.
Notable screenings during the second half of the Festival include the recently Oscar-nominated documentary, THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: DANIEL ELLSBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS, with producer/writer Judith Ehrlich and Daniel Ellsberg himself in attendance. Also the North American premiere of a ground-breaking new film about Dr. Stanislaw BURZYNSKI and his important cancer cure that is about to be approved by the FDA after a 20 year battle.
Behind-the-scenes panels and workshops include the always popular Filmmakers Panels, scheduled for both Saturday's at 11am. Visiting filmmakers share fascinating stories and trade secrets, and is moderated by former SLOIFF president, Steve Leone. Alan and Suzanne Arkin will teach a very special Improv Workshop on Sunday, March 21 for an intimate group of aspiring actors. Also being planned are panels/talks: 3D Movies, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow and What Makes a Great Film? More details on these and other workshops will be announced soon.
On Sunday afternoon, March 14, the SLOIFF will celebrate young filmmakers at the Filmmakers of Tomorrow Youth Filmmaking Competition, with two screenings of short films by kids from 1st grade through high school, with cash prizes for winning films. This year, films were submitted from all over the world.
On Monday, March 15, The Central Coast Filmmakers Showcase will again highlight some of the best films produced by local filmmakers, screened at the Palm Theatre, Downtown Cinema and Downtown Brewing Company.
For the fourth year in a row, the SLOIFF will give a portion of the festival proceeds to fund a scholarship for a promising young film student at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The 2009/10 recipient cinematographer Autumn Durald will be in attendance with her thesis film, GUERILLA GARDEN, and the new 2010/11 scholarship recipient will receive a certificate on Sat. March 20 from King Vidor Award recipient, Alan Arkin.
Film passes and tickets for select events are on sale now, online at www.slofilmfest.org and at the SLOIFF HQ beginning Monday, March 1st. Film lineup and schedule will be posted online by Feb. 19th and Festival Guides will hit the streets on Thursday, March 4.
Press credentials will be available for approved media representatives. Please contact: festivaldirector@slofilmfest.org for more information and a press packet.
Photos, and copies of Festival films are available upon request.
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For more information about events, attractions and visitor services in San Luis Obispo, phone the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce at 805-781-2777 or visit the Chamber’s website at www.VisitSLO.com.
Film Festival CONTACT:
Wendy Eidson (805) 235-1507
festivaldirector@slofilmfest.org
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