COMMUNITY • Oceanside International Film Festival

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THE OSIDER JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2023

Oceanside International Film Festival 2023 Festival Open for Submissions

WORDS: ALICIA STONE PHOTOS: ZACH CORDNER

Returning in February of 2023, the Oceanside International Film Festival (OIFF) has been one of our city’s premiere events for over 13 years. Although the festival has grown and morphed throughout the years, it is now being operated by a core team and running as a non-profit led by Executive Director Lou Niles. OIFF started out as a local event designed to provide a platform for media creators of all backgrounds to have their art recognized and is now expanding into an international destination for artists, connoisseurs, and industry professionals. Lou said he has too many favorite films and events to list but did recall some of his favorite memories. “A few of my all time favorites would be last year’s Blue Crush 20 Year Celebration featuring director John Stockwell and actresses Kate Bosworth and Sanoe Lake. We hosted a special evening with Taylor Steele in 2019 and the Women of Industry Panel in 2018. Of course, I really enjoyed our incredible string of Animal Kingdom events and episode premieres with cast members, Shawn Hatosy and Ben Robsen. I am extremely proud of the virtual event we held in 2020. Our Artist Director, Carly Starr and her team produced an extremely well-received broadcast style production during the pandemic.”

OIFF is operated by a group of dedicated, talented volunteers, most of whom have full-time day jobs which require them to generously donate their time to keep things running. Their purpose is driven by the shared goal to incorporate into the festival our region’s trademark hospitality, unique artistic, cultural heritage, and North County’s burgeoning culinary, brewery and wine scene. The festival has expanded to include over 20

award categories for submissions and music videos are welcome under the Narrative Short/ Student Film categories.

OIFF presents annual Lifetime Achievement Awards such as to 2017 honoree Alan RoderickJones, the Production Designer for the original 1977 Star Wars film. They also distribute scholarship awards to participating student filmmakers. They welcome local actors and recently have been attended by filmmakers, cast, and crew from Europe and South America. The film and special event schedule is currently being finalized and will be confirmed in late January. Submissions are received through FilmFreeway and all Rules and Terms are listed on their website.

Lou said,”Our hope for the future is already materializing as we continue to grow into a respected film festival that attracts diverse emerging filmmakers. It’s important for us that the festival is a platform for fans of entertainment to enjoy and experience the art that is submitted from all over the world while continuing to celebrate local and regional works that shine a spotlight on Oceanside.”