Ryan ChartrandThe 13th Annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival is underway and will continue into next week until March 11. The festival will feature a variety of screenings – from film classics to world premieres.
“We are sort of trying to find an identity for the film festival,” said Wendy Eidson, this year’s festival director, adding that they wanted to do something that sets the San Luis Obispo festival apart from all the others. “We’re thinking we really want to concentrate a little more on sports.”
Films on rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding and several surf movies are all in store for this year’s patrons.
“We’re doing another surf night this year,” she said. “We’re sort of testing the waters.”
The “Endless Summer” family of surfers Bruce, Dana, and Wes Brown will all be at the Fremont Theatre Thursday, March 8, for Surf Night for screenings of “Step into Liquid” and “Chasing Dora.”
“Chasing Dora” includes the well-known Robert “Wingnut” Weaver and Mickey Mu¤oz, as well as Marc Andrei, board shaper and former San Luis Obispo resident.
This year’s festival will also welcome Oscar nominee James Cromwell, who played the lovable farmer in “Babe,” to receive the King Vidor Award. Last year’s recipient was Oscar winner Morgan Freeman. The award recognizes a career of achievement in film acting.
Cromwell has most recently played agent Jack Bauer’s father in the T.V. series “24” and Prince Phillip in this year’s Oscar nominated film “The Queen,” for which his co-star Helen Mirren won best actress.
As for getting in contact with Cromwell, Eidson said, “He had worked with one of our board members on ‘The Sum of All Fears,’ and they had stayed friends.”
Classic screenings this year include “It Came From Outer Space,” a 1953 science fiction flick about aliens who take on human appearance at their will. The movie will be shown in the original 3D format, with 3D glasses provided for all audience members. There will be two screenings on Sunday, one at 1 p.m. and a second at 4 p.m., both at the Palm Theatre.
A notable independent film also playing at the Palm is “Ladylike,” a story about juxtaposing neighbors Fatima, a devout Muslim, and free-spirited city girl Nikita, who equally disapprove of each other’s lifestyles. One day, when Nikita is locked outside her house in nothing but a towel, Fatima must make the decision whether to help her or not.
Some of the international films this year come from Poland, Iraq, Australia and Mexico.
“It varies every year,” Eidson said. “We have 17 countries represented this year.”
As for the screening she is most excited for: “I’d have to say, probably “Patton.” I haven’t seen it on a big screen since I was about 12.”
The 1970 film “Patton” played last night on the opening night of the festival. New to the festival this year are local projects.
“Something that we’ve never done before is honor local films,” she said.
There will be short films by students, elementary through high school, and “Suckerfish,” a documentary of life on the streets of San Luis Obispo and several other cities. Local architect Jose Lemus will be available after his 20-minute film for a Q&A.
Tickets to the film festival are available online and at the festival’s office, located at 861 Palm St. Passes as well as “a-la-carte” tickets are available. Advance tickets to screenings at the Fremont can also be purchased. The film society offers a discount for students for all events.