The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival has announced dates for its 32nd annual run: Thursday, April 23 through Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Submissions are now open for films in the festival’s signature categories and competitions— including features, documentaries, animation, music videos, and Central Coast and student filmmakers—as well as some additional opportunities. The 2026 festival will include a new “episodic” category and a special award recognizing the best genre/horror film.
The festival continues as an Oscar-qualifying film festival for documentary shorts, meaning the 2026 winner in that category will be eligible to be submitted for Oscar consideration.