The second night of SLO Film Fest kicked off with another lively festival party, the Central Coast Filmmaker Mixer, at the Hollywood & Vines Festival tent. We mixed and mingled with filmmakers, writers, producers and directors who live along the Central Coast and have movies featured in this year’s SLO Film Fest! We even had the opportunity to chat with a few of them about the event and of course, their love of SLO. See what they had to say below.
Meet the Filmmakers
- Tina Love | Santa Barbara | Director and Writer of Duende – The Red Shoes
- David Bradstreet | Santa Barbara | Producer of Duende – The Red Shoes
- Dave Baumgarten | Los Osos | Director of A Common Sailor, Indeed
- Carlos Plummer | Cambria | Director and Producer of Tour of Honor
- Bob Williams | Pismo Beach | Director of Unconditional Love
What’s the best thing about being a filmmaker on the Central Coast?
“The light is always beautiful whether the sun is rising or setting” – David Bradstreet
“Being a filmmaker on the Central Coast, there are many opportunities as far as scenery and filming… There is a lot of room for growth here so you could really start an industry over here and making so many connections with people passing through.” – Carlos Plummer
“You get to tell stories. I tell stories about non-profits… and the wonderful things these people do on the Central Coast. It’s the perfect place because there are a lot of caring people here.” – Bob Williams
What makes the SLO Film Fest so unique?
“The SLO Film Fest is very laid back, casual, fun. People are very approachable.” – Tina Love
“Local feeling but it is also [like] Hollywood, and I am very used to Hollywood! It’s a great combination of the local spirit and people coming here who love film.” – Dave Baumgarten
“What I love about [SLO Film Fest] is so many big people come here and they love it. Last year, I got to interview Bill Paxton. And he was just open to the idea because he was so relaxed here. Everyone gets the same feeling when here, very relaxed here.” – Carlos Plummer
“[SLO Film Fest] is this perfect size – small town feel with people who really love film…They really reward documentary filmmakers and local filmmakers like me.” – Bob Williams
What’s your favorite place to film in SLO County?
“The last place I loved filming was the Guadalupe Dunes and Pismo Dunes” – Tina Love
“Morro Rock” – David Bradstreet
“By the seaside, of course… The preamble of my documentary was filmed in Morro Bay” – Dave Baumgarten
“It’s a tie between here in Downtown San Luis and San Simeon area by the ocean.” – Carlos Plummer
Local Eats & Drinks
The evening also featured musical entertainment by Taproot, a local Americana and Jazz group, and the Vocal Arts Ensemble. Endless food and drinks were served for attendees’ enjoyment, showcasing an array of Central Coast’s finest from SLO Provisions to Wolff Vineyards. Here are a few of our favorites:
Biddle Ranch Vineyard: Family owned and operated, Biddle Ranch Vineyard poured their 2013 Estate Chardonnay and 2014 Pinot Noir last night. Enjoy a glass of wine at their tasting room, located at 6985 Ontario Road.
What do you love about having a winery in San Luis Obispo?
“It’s the people – we get a lot of tourism… and locals coming out and enjoying the product. It makes for a fun atmosphere, getting that mix and diversity of people who come to visit us” – Krista Rupley, Tasting Room Manager & Event Coordinator for Biddle Ranch Vineyard
Central Coast Distributing: Central Coast Distributing featured beers from Saint Archer Brewing Company, Alpine Beer Company, Green Flash and more throughout the entire SLO Film Fest.
Saucelito Canyon: Showcasing their Grenache Blanc, Zinfandel and Dos Ma last night, Saucelito Canyon stands as the oldest planted vineyard in San Luis Obispo with vines from 1880s, located at 3080 Biddle Ranch Road.
What is your favorite part about being involved in the SLO Film Fest?
“We’ve sponsored a whole bunch of times and really like going to the small and unique documentaries.” – Tom Greenough, Winemaker for Saucelito Canyon.
Sinor-LaVallee: With their wines grown 1.2 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Sinor-LaVallee specializes in unique Pinot Noirs and Syrahs at their estate Bassi Vineyard. Sinor-LaVallee tasting room is situated right alongside Avila Beach at 550 1st Street. At last night’s mixer, Sinor-LaVallee was pouring their Pinot and Chardonnay.
What makes Sinor-LaVallee so unique?
“We have one of the few ocean view estates on the Central Coast.” – Aly Pulford, Tasting Room Manager for Sinor-LaVallee
SLO Provisions: Known for their rustic yet refined take away meals, SLO Provisions did not disappoint tonight! Last night, SLO Provisions served deviled eggs, bite size ham, brie and apple sandwiches, delectable brownies and more. When visiting San Luis Obispo and looking for a delicious meal to grab on the go, we highly suggest stopping by SLO Provisions, located at 1255 Monterey Street in the “Mojo Corridor.”
TASTE! Catering & Eatery: Initially starting as a catering company, TASTE has expanded into a very successful restaurant too, winning Best New Restaurant of 2014 in New Times’ “Best of the Best.” At the SLO Film Fest’s Central Coast Filmmakers Mixer, TASTE catered cups of their unique mac’ n cheeses. Whether you are in the mood for sliders, mac n’ cheese or a delicious salad, TASTE will satisfy the whole group, located at 2900 Broad Street.
Wolff Vineyards: Small family owned and operated, Wolff Vineyards was the first winery in SLO to be certified as a sustainable grower through the SIP program, located at 6238 Orcutt Road. Last night, Wolff Vineyards offered a variety of their Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
What do you love about having a vineyard in San Luis Obispo?
“The obvious answer is what’s not to love about San Luis Obispo… the location, the people, the weather, the wine community is a nice tight knit group of people and everyone is friends with everybody.” – Clint Grubb-Wolff, Assistant Winemaker for Wolff Vineyards
More to Come with SLO Film Fest 2016 | slofilmfest.org
There are so many screenings and events still in store at SLO Film Fest 2016. Follow along on ‘ShareSLO’ Snapchat stories for live, behind-the-scenes footage and don’t forget to #ShareSLO all your SLO Film Fest fun too!
Thursday, March 17
- Spotlight Award: Allegiant: 7:00-9:00 pm at Fremont Theatre
Friday, March 18
- Surf Nite: Ocean Driven: 7:30-9:00 pm at Fremont Theatre
- Surf Nite After-Party with Live Music: 9:00-11:00 pm at Hollywood & Vines Festival Tent
Saturday, March 19
- Behind-the-Scenes Panels & Workshops: 9:00 am-2:00 pm at Hollywood & Vines Festival Tent
- A Day of Ocean Films by the Beach: 10:00 am-5:00 pm at Avila Beach Community Center
- Viva Las Vegas: 5:00-7:00 pm at Fremont Theatre
- King Vidor & Filmmaker Awards: 7:00-8:30 pm at Fremont Theatre
- Awards Night After-Party: 8:30-10:00 pm at King David Masonic Lodge
Sunday, March 20
- Bye Birdie Sing-Along: 5:00-7:00 pm at Fremont Theatre
- Closing Night Party: 7:30-9:00 pm at Hollywood & Vines Festival Tent