San Luis Obispo International Film Festival

Named for renowned director George Sidney, longtime supporter of the SLO Film Fest and indie filmmakers during his lifetime, this film competition has become popular thanks to filmmakers from all over the world submitting exciting new films of all genres, lengths and subject matter. We program more than 80% of our Festival by choosing the very best films from these submissions. SLO Film Fest is able to offer to its audiences a wide variety of contemporary, thought-provoking cinema and over 85% filmmaker attendance at their screenings. Great scenery, friendly, intelligent audiences, industry reps and wonderful hotels await you in beautiful San Luis Obispo.

Filmmakers with films that were produced, directed or written by residents in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Monterey counties are invited to submit their films through Withoutabox or Film Freeway, for a discounted entry fee, for possible screening in the Central Coast Filmmakers Showcase. The same film cannot be entered in the George Sidney Independent Film Competition however. A separate set of jurists will choose a selection of films to be screened as “local” films. If the “local” film is entered in the George Sidney Independent Film Competition it will be judged by the SLO Film Fest Programming Committee along with all other entries from around the world. If a film is entered in this category but the filmmakers are not residents of one of the three counties listed above, the entry will be disqualified.

The SLO Film Fest audiences LOVE shorts and thanks to filmmakers from all over the world submitting exciting new films of all genres and subject matter, the SLO Film Fest is able to offer to its audiences a wide variety of diverse, thought-provoking cinema with over 85% filmmaker attendance at their screenings. Great scenery, friendly, intelligent audiences, industry reps and wonderful hotels await you in beautiful San Luis Obispo.

Filmmakers with films that were produced, directed or written by residents in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Monterey counties are invited to submit their films for a discounted entry fee, for possible screening in the Central Coast Filmmakers Showcase. The same film cannot be entered in the George Sidney Independent Film Competition however. A separate set of jurists will choose a selection of films to be screened as “local” films. If the “local” film is entered in the George Sidney Independent Film Competition it will be judged by the SLO Film Fest Programming Committee along with all other entries from around the world. If a film is entered in this category but the filmmakers are not residents of one of the three counties listed above, the entry will be disqualified.

This competition is open to elementary through high school students from all over the world. **College student films are not accepted in this competition. San Luis Obispo County residents are eligible for the Best SLO County Film award in three age levels. To win the filmmaker must be a student in a school in San Luis Obispo County or a home school student residing in SLO County, and all entries must include a copy of school identification. Films can be stories told with photographs, animation, live action, music videos, documentaries…anything goes. The subject matter is limited to your imagination. Films in the elementary-middle school category should be able to be rated G or PG, but high school films can be PG-13. All films must be a maximum of 10 minutes. Longer ones will not be considered for screening. All music used should be fully credited at the end of the film.

A new category for 2021, we are excited to showcase creative new music videos in a variety of musical styles. SLO Brew's Rock will host at least one evening of official selections and professional musicians and music video producers will judge. All entries should be under 10 minutes and videos will be accepted from filmmakers worldwide, with special awards for videos that highlight Central Coast musicians.