San Luis Obispo International Film Festival

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SLOIFF Youth Filmmaking Program

Our summer program is growing quickly! For more details on what's happening this summer go to Workshops.

The SLOIFF AFI Scholarship

Sponsored by The Last Elephants of Thailand
Co-directed by Michelle Mizner & Donald Tayloe

Since 2005, the SLOIFF donates a portion of our festival proceeds to fund an annual SLOIFF Future Filmmaker Scholarship to the American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory. AFI trains the next generation of filmmakers at its world-renowned Conservatory in Los Angeles. In addition, AFI maintains America's film heritage and explores new digital technologies in entertainment and education.

The 20010/11 recipient of SLOIFF’s AFI scholarship is Producer fellow, Alex Azfali, who hails from San Luis Obispo! He recently completed his AFI thesis film, which will be screened at the 2011 SLOIFF. More about Alex:

Alex Afzali is a second year producing fellow at the American Film Institute and an associate producer at the Hollywood development and production boutique Heavy Duty Entertainment. So far this year Afzali has completed principle photography on his graduate thesis film entitled “SANDBAGS.” The film retells the story of historical figure Edmond Naim, the central banker of Lebanon, during the complicated and vicious Lebanese civil war. Though Naim passed away some years go, his surviving wife entrusted Afzali and his thesis team with his life rights. Previously, this summer, Afzali completed his first feature with Heavy Duty Entertainment, “BLACK, WHITE AND BLUES,” directed by Mario Van Peebles and starring Michael Clarke Duncan and Tom Skerritt. Alex enjoys comic books, surfing, and nights out in Hollywood.

Read a copy of Alex’s thank you letter to the Board of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival:

Dear San Luis Obispo International Film Festival Board of Directors,

I just wanted to take a moment and sincerely thank you for your generous scholarship award. Pursuing a graduate degree in film is not an easy or inexpensive task, and the prize you have granted goes along way in allowing me to pursue my academic and artistic endeavors.

I have been a fan of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival for a long time, in fact I saw my first 35mm print of 2001: A Space Odessy at the festival many years ago. I look forward to meeting you and enjoying the festival, as does my mom who will be joining me.

Sincerely,

Alex Afzali