Ryan ChartrandBeginning last Friday and continuing through Sunday, San Luis Obispo will buzz with a little slice of Hollywood. This year marks the 14th annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, an event that showcases several films and special events.
The films showcased at the festival are a variety of both new, contemporary films from around the world as well as older films. The county will also host hundreds of visiting filmmakers.
Movie screenings, which began last Saturday, feature independent films from several different genres, including arts, politics, sports and romantic comedies. After many of the screenings, there will be public question-and-answer sessions.
The films are from more than 12 different countries and many were entered into the George Sidney Independent Film Competition. Awards for the competition will be presented Saturday.
“This is the first time in the festival’s history that we’ve been able to fly people in from other countries to take part in the festivities,” festival director Wendy Eidson said.
The 1969 film “Easy Rider,” co-starring and produced by Peter Fonda, will be one of the highlighted films at the festival. Fonda will be honored with the King Vidor Career Achievement Award at the festival this year.
“‘Easy Rider’ will be fun for people to watch for the first time or see again on the big screen at the Fremont Theatre,” Eidson said.
The award will be presented following the George Sidney Independent Film Competition and the event will begin at 7:30 p.m. This red-carpet event costs $20 for students and film society members, and $25 for the general public.
Another major red carpet event is Surf Night, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The event will be a tribute to Bud Browne, a prominent surfing filmmaker.
His film, “Surfing the 50’s” will be shown at the Fremont Theatre; a question-and-answer session and a beach-themed party will follow. Other surfing legends, such as Gerry Lopez, Walter Hoffman, Linda Benson and Jack McCoy will attend. The event costs $25 for the general public and $20 for students and film society members.
“I think Surf Night will be a big success. It’s a culture, not just a sport, and these people are cultural icons,” Eidson said.
There will also be a variety of panels and workshops that include meeting filmmakers, acting for the camera and stunt work with the pros. Tickets for all workshops will be sold at the door for $10.
The newest addition to the festival will be the Hollywood and Vines series, which will showcase five movies at five different wineries throughout the area. One of these events will be the Western Night in Paso Robles, which will feature the 1972 film “The Cowboys,” starring John Wayne. These events cost $20 for the public, and $15 for students and film society members.
Other festival highlights include the screening of a short film directed by Josh Brolin called “X” and a sing-along version of the film “Hairspray.” The event will be followed by a costume and hair-do contest.
“Every year when the filmmakers come they submit their films because they want to come visit San Luis Obispo. It’s a beautiful area, and we’re just trying to capitalize on it as much as possible,” Eidson said.
Passes for the event can be purchased in four different ways. Individual tickets to screenings can be purchased on a first come, first serve basis for $9 for the public and $7 for students and film society members.
There are also three different passes that can be purchased. The film festival pass costs $45 and pays for any six screenings for one individual or any three screenings for two individuals. The movie star pass costs $85 and pays for all screenings as well as panels and workshops. The movie mogul pass costs $150 and pays for a full-access pass to all screenings as well as all workshops and panels, red carpet and Hollywood and Vines events.
For more information about festival events and to purchase passes, visit www.slofilmfest.org.