“Give Me the Ball” photo by Ellen Griesedieck/courtesy Sundance Institute
The 32nd edition of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival has announced this year’s lineup, led by the April 23 opening night West Coast Premiere of Give Me the Ball!, a documentary celebrating a trailblazing figure in the world of sports and women’s rights: Billie Jean King.
More than 25 countries are represented in the more than 100 narrative features, short films, feature documentaries, and documentary shorts to be screened April 23-28. Descriptions of the films and the schedule of screenings are available online and in the official Festival Guide.
More than 100 screeners evaluated more than 2,000 submissions to finalize the official selections. The finalists in competition are juried by a panel of film and media professionals, and winners receive cash prizes.
“This year our tagline is ‘Where Our Stories Live,’ highlighting that both our festival and San Luis Obispo are home to storytellers and storytelling,” festival director Skye McLennon said. “We believe film festivals are a powerful opportunity to showcase a diversity of perspectives and stories, and when we share them, we can truly be in community with one another.”
The festival is known for its dedication to diversity and inclusivity, highlighting both emerging and established filmmakers from around the globe.
This year brings a new award recognizing the best genre/horror film, and a new category: episodics, showcasing new series and the art of making television pilots.
The festival wraps up April 28 with the closing night announcement of jury and audience award winners alongside the California Premiere screening of Power Ballad, a U.S./Ireland production starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas in a feel-good story about music, self-respect, friendship, and the price of ambition.
Festival passes and tickets are available online.