We had such a blast at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival! This year, with our friends at KRUSH 92.5, we were proud to sponsor a beautiful film about music, 𝐕𝐚̂𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐧. We saw familiar faces and amazing films this year!
Like Festival Mozaic, SLOIFF endeavors to bring incredible outside artistry, meld it seamlessly with local talent, host audiences who come from all over, and share the treasures of our community.
As one of our many community partners, we are thrilled to collaborate with the SLO Film Festival again this summer! Together, we are offering FOUR movies during the Summer 2026 San Luis Obispo Music & Arts Festival (Jul 15-Aug 1). Learn more here: festivalmozaic.org/films
ICYMI: 𝐕𝐚̂𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐧 follows a young Vietnamese American artist as she sets out to recover the lost musical recordings of her late grandfather, legendary composer Y Vân. Once the soundtrack of Saigon’s golden age, his songs filled dance halls and radio waves before being silenced in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. Told across three generations, the film uncovers hidden family stories and a forgotten history shaped by displacement. An intimate act of remembrance and reclamation, the film explores the enduring power of music, memory and cultural inheritance.
Awesome photos by Namu Williams 📸
Pics or it didn’t happen! Pictures are officially up on our website of the 2026 SLO Film Festival!
Forever grateful to our in house photographers who captured so many beautiful memories! Please credit them when using the photos.
Brittany App @brittanyapp & Namu Williams
The votes are in…
We’re beyond thrilled to share that we’ve been voted Best Movie Theatre in SLO County by the @newtimesslo Readers Poll!
This means the absolute world to us.
None of this happens without YOU — our incredible community. Your support, your presence, and your love for film is what drives everything we do. Thank you for showing up for us and for the art of cinema.
And what better way to celebrate than wrapping up one the best fests yet? A huge thank you to everyone who made @slofilmfest so special this year.
📸 @brittanyapp
That’s a wrap on SLO Film Festival 2026 🎬
From packed theaters to powerful storytelling, this year was a reminder of why film matters by bringing people together, sparking conversation, and celebrating creativity from near and far!
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers, filmmakers, partners, and audiences who made it all possible. Your time, passion, and love for the arts are what keep this festival thriving year after year 💛
Check out our Sponsor Page on our website for all the info for getting involved! Link in bio 🔗
We’re leaving inspired, energized, and already counting down to what’s next… see you in 2027 🌟
The 🎞️ MAY CALENDAR 🎞️ is here! Celebrate ani-MAY-tion month with Pixarpalooza, a Satashi Kon Spotlight, the new restoration of ANGEL'S EGG and more!
🍿 If you don’t follow us at @slofilmfest yet, join us over there for post-festival highlights, updates, and more from this year’s festival.
🍿 Showtimes and tickets are now available at
🍿 Grab a calendar as a souvenir! Physical copies available in our lobby.
#maycalendar #animaytion#palmtheatre #palmtheatreslo #slofilmcenter #sanluisobispodowntown #sanluisobispoevents #enjoyslo #sloiff #slofilmfestival #slofilmfestival2026
Cue the Encore! 🍿✨
The credits may have rolled, but the celebration isn’t over…
2026 Award Winners🏆 :
If I Go Will They Miss Me — Best Narrative Feature
A Life Illuminated — Best Documentary Feature
Vultures — Best Narrative Short
What If They Bomb Tonight — Honorable Mention (Narrative Short)
A Man Who Takes Pictures Of Flowers — Best Documentary Short
Animus Ingus — Best Music Video
One For The Team — Best Episodic
Benny’s Second Birthday — Best Horror Film
The Strawberry — Best Central Coast Film
The Other Roe — Best Documentary Short (CCFS)
May I Put You On Hold — Best Narrative Short (CCFS)
Audience Award Winners 🏆 :
Y Vân: The Lost Sounds of Saigon – Best of the Fest
Y Vân: The Lost Sounds of Saigon – Best Documentary Feature
How to Date Again – Best Narrative Feature
Savage – Best Episodic
The Right Fit – Best Documentary Short
My Only Friend Is a Robot Named Beans – Best Narrative Short
The Thought of Me – Best Music Video
The Strawberry – Central Coast Best Overall
Mi Vida. Mi Futuro – Central Coast Best Narrative Short
That’s So Drag – Central Coast Best Documentary Short
Missed them the first time? We’ve got you! Join us for Encore Weekend, May 1–3 and catch some of this year’s biggest winners back on the big screen 🎥
One Last Day...👀
Celebrate Closing Day of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival for a final chance to catch a few more stories before the credits roll!
📍 Palm Theatre (@thepalmtheatre )
• 11:15AM–2PM Films (American Pachuco, Vân)
📍 Downtown Centre Cinemas (@themovieexperience )
• 11:15AM–2:15PM Films (Street Smart, Fork in the Road)
📍 Fremont Theater (@fremontslo )
• 6PM Closing Night Film : Power Ballad 🎬
Come relive the magic, soak it all in, and be there for the final curtain ✨
Monday is JAM-PACKED! ✨
Don't miss out on a full day of movie magic! Here's what your SLO Film Fest day looks like :
📍 Palm Theatre (@thepalmtheatre )
• 11AM–7:15PM Screenings (Shorts + Features All Day)
📍 Downtown Centre Cinemas (@themovieexperience )
• 10:30AM–7:45PM Screenings
*NEW ADDITION: How to Date Again - 10:45 AM*
📍 Fremont Theater (@fremontslo )
• 11:30AM–7PM Select Features + Cal Poly Shorts
📍 Edna Contemporary Lounge (@ednacontemporary )
• 4PM Central Coast Filmmaker Mixer
Before the festival wraps, make time for the Filmmaker Mixer! The perfect opportunity to meet creatives, talk film, and celebrate the final days of the festival! 🎟️
SUNDAY FUN-DAY! 🎬
Keep the momentum going with another stacked day of screenings, shorts, and filmmaker talks across town ✨
Here’s how your Sunday can look :
📍 Palm Theatre (@thepalmtheatre )
• 10:30AM–8PM Screenings (The Master, The Seventh Seal, Left-Handed Girl)
📍 Downtown Centre Cinemas (@themovieexperience )
• 10AM–7:15PM Screenings + Shorts Blocks Throughout the Day (Episodics, Filmmakers of Tomorrow)
📍 Bay Theatre (@bay.theatre )
• 4:30PM Doors | 5:30PM Film
📍 Masonic Lodge
•6PM Spotlight Presentation: Britt Lower
• 7PM Sender
📍 Edna Contemporary Lounge (@ednacontemporary )
• Panels at 10AM & 12:30PM
Ease into the day with panels, hop between theaters, and catch some of the festival’s standout films along the way. Plan your route and make the most of your Sunday 🎟️
What’s in our film maker swag bag 2026! We also would like to shoutout @pasocookieco for the delicious and beautiful custom cookies and socks from @williampainter 🧦🍪 🎥📽️
Happy Saturday! 🎥
Step into Day 2 of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival with a full lineup of films, panels, and can’t-miss moments all across San Luis Obispo!
📍 Palm Theatre (@thepalmtheatre )
• 10:30AM–7PM Films + Shorts (Fork in the Road, Sunset Boulevard)
📍 Downtown Centre Cinemas (@themovieexperience )
• 10AM–7:30PM Films + Shorts (April X, The Musical, Birds of War)
📍 Masonic Lodge
• 5PM Spotlight Presentation: Haley Joel Osmet
• 7PM Music Videos Showcase
📍 Edna Contemporary Lounge (@ednacontemporary )
• Panels (10:30AM, 1PM) + Festival Party (3:30PM)
Saturday builds all day and leads straight into the Festival Party! Time to celebrate, connect, and keep the energy going 🎉
Your SLOIFF Friday Schedule 🎬
Dive into the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival today with a full day of films, shorts, and special events happening all across downtown SLO ✨
📍 Palm Theatre (@thepalmtheatre )
• 10:30AM–7:45PM (The Blue Trail, The Musical, Valentina)
📍 Downtown Centre Cinemas (@themovieexperience )
• 10:30AM–8PM Films + Shorts
📍 Fremont Theater (@fremontslo )
• 12PM–7PM Films + Surf Nite
📍 Edna Contemporary Lounge (@ednacontemporary )
• 4PM Filmmaker Mixer
From daytime screenings to an epic night, Friday all leads up to Surf Nite, one of the festival’s biggest, most high-energy events you won’t want to miss! 🌊
