SLO Film Festival is almost here. See schedule, tickets, awards, food and more
Calling all film buffs! Celebrate cinema and test your knowledge at one of the Central Coast’s most popular events.
The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival hosts movie screenings, red-carpet events, panel discussions and more.
In March, USA Today readers voted the event one of the best film festivals in the United States for the second year in a row.
Highlights at the 2026 festival include award ceremonies honoring the stars of “The Sixth Sense” and “Severance.”
Here’s what to expect:
When is San Luis Obispo International Film Festival in 2026? Where?
The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival runs Thursday, April 23, through Tuesday, April 28, at venues across San Luis Obispo County. There’s also an encore weekend from May 1 through May 3.
Events take place at multiple multiple venues in San Luis Obispo, including the Palm Theatre, Downtown Centre Cinemas, the Fremont Theater and and King David’s Masonic Lodge.
The Bay Theatre in Morro Bay will also host screenings, with mixers, parties and panel discussions at Edna Contemporary Fine Art in San Luis Obispo.
What is happening at the SLO Film Festival?
Opening night of the film festival will feature the West Coast premiere of “Give Me the Ball!”
The documentary, screening at the Fremont Theater on Thursday, April 23, examines the life and legacy of champion tennis player Billie Jean King.
Surf Nite in SLO celebrates its 20th anniversary at the Fremont Theater on Friday, April 24. The event includes drinks, live music from Riff Tide and a screening of the documentary “The Blind Sea,” which follows Australian surfer Matt Formston as he tackles Portugal’s dangerous waves.
Two people will receive Spotlight Presentation: Craft in Focus Awards in 2026: Haley Joel Osment and Britt Lower.
Osment will receive his Spotlight Award on Saturday, April 25, and participate in an on-stage conversation at the Masonic Lodge, 859 Marsh St. in San Luis Obispo.
Later that evening, Osment’s new movie “How to Date Again” will celebrate its world premiere at the Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo.
On Sunday, April 26, Lower will receive the Spotlight award, discuss her work and screen her new movie “Sender” at the Masonic Lodge. She’ll also participate in a question-and-answer session with “Sender” director Russell Goldman following the screening.
As on Sunday, the Bay Theatre will host a Community of Skate event featuring screenings of “N-Men: The Untold Story” and “Pat Ngoho: A Meditation on Creativity” plus a panel discussion with skaters and filmmakers.
The festival’s closing night, Tuesday, April 28, will feature a viewing of “Power Ballad” and an award.
In total, the film festival will screen more than 100 movies, including “The Master,” “Samsara” and “The Seventh Seal.”
The lineup has a mix of feature-length and short narrative films and documentaries.
You can find the full schedule of events online.
What are food and drink options?
Ox + Anchor at Hotel San Luis Obispo, 877 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo, will host Indies + Eats, featuring a prix fixe dinner menu for $78 a person. Reservations can be made online.
Thursday’s opening night event will be catered by San Luis Obispo restaurant Luna Red with wines from Austin Hope Wines.
Festival-goers can find a wide range of restaurants near participating movie theaters, with options ranging from Italian and Mexican food to sandwiches and sushi.
Headed to the Palm Theatre in San Luis Obispo? Stop by Mee Heng Low Noodle House for Asian dishes or Piadina for Italian-inspired fare.
Food options near the Fremont Theater include Shin’s Sushi and Firestone Grill.
You can find burgers at Eureka! and Mexican food at Efren’s Downtown, both near Downtown Centre Cinemas.
In Morro Bay, the Bay Theatre is next door to Gilligan’s Sandwich Shop, offering hoagies, sandwiches and pizza. More restaurants line the streets of downtown Morro Bay, with options ranging from seafood to ramen bowls.
How much do festival tickets and passes cost?
Tickets for movie screenings at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival cost $15, or $12 for students and Palmie members. Panels cost $5 for non-passholders.
Tickets for most special events cost $22 to $25.
The film festival offers four types of passes that come with different perks, ranging in price from $80 to $570.
Tickets can be purchased online, at the festival box office at the Palm Theatre or in the walk-up line.
What are open hours for box office and lounge?
The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival box office is open at the Palm Theatre from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22.
On Thursday, April 23, you can purchase tickets at the box office from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The box office will be open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Friday, April 24, to Tuesday, April 28.
The film festival lounge is open noon to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.
It’s open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, and noon to 9 p.m. on Monday, April 27, and Tuesday, April 28.
To learn more, call 805-546-3456 or email info@slofilmfest.org.
Follow the film festival on Instagram, Facebook or X for the latest updates.
