A Look Into My Week at SLO Film Fest 2025!

That’s a wrap! At the end of April, we had a fantastic closing night of the 2025 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival and SLO Film Center I am so incredibly grateful to Skye McLennan and Grace Tucker for trusting me as this year’s Events and Experiences intern. I cannot being to describe the wealth of knowledge I left with that not only pushed me creatively but professionally.

This event was unlike anything I have worked before. With 10 to 15 thousand attendees, 4 venues, in a span of 6 days — every day was something new!

Working alongside the Executive and Associate Directors and our Lounge Coordinator Brooke Coffman, I helped execute a variety of events (Opening Night, Surf Nite, Community of Skate, Spotlight Award, King Vidor Award, Closing Night)

Before the festival, I helped coordinate the donations from local businesses and wineries for our Filmmaker Welcome bags (along with extra contributions for our VIP lounge).

I truly hit the ground running with this internship, which gave me hands-on experience with vendor and donor coordination — all while reinforcing the importance of flexibility and quick problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.

While there was so many learning opportunities, I cannot forget to mention the most rewarding aspect of this internship which was the balance of high-level coordination and attendee interaction. The lounge was always filled with filmmakers and sponsors, and it was always incredible to hear what their top film of the day was or what they were off to see next! I also had the incredible opportunities to meet several high profile directors, actors, athletes, and even a celebrated fashion designer.

I'm so grateful for the mentorship I received and the chance to contribute to such a beloved community event. This experience has only furthered my passion for crafting meaningful, immersive event experiences—and I'm excited for what comes next after graduation!