{"id":45885,"date":"2025-12-01T13:05:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T21:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/?p=45885"},"modified":"2025-12-01T17:34:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:34:18","slug":"oceanside-international-film-festival-15th-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/blog\/oceanside-international-film-festival-15th-anniversary\/","title":{"rendered":"Oceanside International Film Festival 15th Anniversary Q&amp;A"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"45885\" class=\"elementor elementor-45885\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7138d8b5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7138d8b5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3012fd6\" data-id=\"3012fd6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-893eee3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"893eee3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7853b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"e7853b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/d0z8Tn-X2-o?si=BUUVfnk8WiFWjJ8D&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1d5ec3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a1d5ec3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f29f3f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f29f3f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">oceanside international film festival  <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9689a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a9689a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Celebrating 15 Years of Independent Film by the Sea<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8df5745 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8df5745\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-138da07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"138da07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Every February, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/osidefilm.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Oceanside International Film Festival<\/a><\/strong> (OIFF) transforms this laid-back surf town into a cinematic hub where Hollywood creatives, indie filmmakers, and local dreamers come together to celebrate storytelling. We caught up with the festival team\u2014<strong>Lou Niles<\/strong> (Executive Director), <strong>Sterling Anno<\/strong> (Co-Director of Programming), and <strong>Carly Starr Brullo Niles <\/strong>(Artistic Director &amp; Co-Director of Programming)\u2014to talk film, community, and what makes OIFF a true reflection of Oceanside\u2019s creative soul.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a2a633 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3a2a633\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-785d067 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"785d067\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Q: Tell us a bit about yourselves. How did each of you get involved with OIFF?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-847d7c0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"847d7c0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-045b501 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"045b501\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Lou:<\/strong>\u00a0I\u2019ve been Executive Director since 2018, curating the festival through my background in music, film, and surf culture. Outside OIFF, I co-host <a href=\"https:\/\/www.91x.com\/dj\/loudspeaker\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>91X Loudspeaker<\/em><\/a>, a legendary local music show that\u2019s been championing the San Diego scene for over 37 years.<br \/><strong>Sterling:<\/strong>\u00a0I\u2019ve worked in the film festival world for 16 years, from San Diego Underground to Horrible Imaginings. I joined OIFF back in 2011 and have watched it evolve into something truly special for the community.<br \/><strong>Carly:<\/strong>\u00a0I\u2019ve spent three decades in Hollywood as a producer, director, and writer. As OIFF\u2019s Artistic Director and Executive Director of <a href=\"https:\/\/koct.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KOCT Television<\/a>, I love bringing my industry connections and passion for storytelling home to Oceanside.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c68bf4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7c68bf4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4a99f1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b4a99f1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-448e01c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"448e01c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Q: How has the festival evolved over the years?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d142d2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6d142d2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-050e87e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"050e87e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The festival began 15 years ago under the Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation. Our team took the reins in 2017 and later formed a dedicated nonprofit to grow OIFF into an internationally recognized destination for filmmakers and film lovers. What started as a grassroots event has evolved into a world-class festival, attracting award-winning films, rising directors, and even Hollywood icons\u2014many of whose works have gone on to earn critical and industry acclaim.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-268a630 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"268a630\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f09ed6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7f09ed6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8523d37 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8523d37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Q: The surf and skate block is a fan favorite. Any standout moments?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-badbe08 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"badbe08\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-012f263 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"012f263\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There have been so many! Our on-stage talk with surf filmmaker Taylor Steele was unforgettable, <i>The Tony Alva Story <\/i>celebrated a hometown legend, and <i>Big Wave Guardians<\/i>\u2014written by <a href=\"https:\/\/surfmuseum.org\/\">Oceanside Surf Museum<\/a> president Jim Kempton\u2014was a true community favorite bringing together surfers and lifeguards. In a city built on surf culture, the surf film block always brings fun energy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-879d825 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"879d825\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1eaf50 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f1eaf50\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ae2850 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3ae2850\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Q: You have deep roots in the music world. How does that show up in the festival?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c6783d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1c6783d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13951eb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"13951eb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21cf4c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"21cf4c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Music and film are inseparable for us. We\u2019ve hosted composer Jason Hill (<em>Mindhunter<\/em>) who gave us an inside look at his process for creating iconic film and TV scores, screened the Jason Mraz\u2013produced\u00a0<em>The Opener<\/em>, and featured documentaries like\u00a0<em>I Am Alright<\/em>\u00a0that explores mental wellbeing in the music businesses.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46de08b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"46de08b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ca6501 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0ca6501\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-002c11e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"002c11e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Q: How does OIFF reflect Oceanside\u2019s unique arts culture?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-799a2c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"799a2c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Oceanside\u2019s creativity runs deep\u2014from the beaches to the backstreets. OIFF brings those voices together, blending global stories with homegrown talent. With local art installations, afterparties downtown, and surf culture front and center, the festival feels like an authentic extension of the city itself.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69b5cd2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"69b5cd2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38327e4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"38327e4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3222a77 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3222a77\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Q: Any partnerships that have been especially meaningful?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bd82d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8bd82d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/press-and-media\/animal-kingdom-oceanside-filming-locations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Animal Kingdom<\/em><\/a>\u00a0was filming in Oceanside, Warner Bros. and TNT gave us exclusive access to debut the latest episodes at the festival. Over the years, the cast and crew became an annual highlight, sharing behind-the-scenes insights and participating in special panels for the show\u2019s passionate fanbase.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ba6edc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5ba6edc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1220de9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1220de9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35adb58 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"35adb58\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Q: What sets OIFF apart from other regional film festivals?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5e279a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f5e279a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We bring a touch of Hollywood sparkle to the coast! Our 20-year reunions for\u00a0<em>Blue Crush<\/em>\u2014with Kate Bosworth, Sanoe Lake, and a virtual cameo from Michelle Rodriguez\u2014and\u00a0<em>Stephen King\u2019s Thinner<\/em>\u00a0at the Star Theatre were unforgettable. We love creating those moments where fans can connect with film legends in a relaxed, beachside setting.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4de4ab5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4de4ab5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6a2bf7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c6a2bf7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a85ab64 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a85ab64\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Q: What can audiences look forward to this year?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c984b74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c984b74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Four action-packed days of independent film from around the world, live Q&amp;As, special opening and closing nights, an awards ceremony, and afterparties that extend the fun. It\u2019s equal parts culture, creativity, and coastal cool.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-433f01c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"433f01c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-291c120 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"291c120\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-838b5d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"838b5d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Q: Why plan a visit around OIFF?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d23b1a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7d23b1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Because Oceanside\u2019s creative energy is contagious. Beyond the festival, visitors can explore vibrant galleries, sip craft cocktails, dine farm-to-table, and stroll the beach at sunset\u2014all within one of California\u2019s 14 designated <a href=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/things-to-do\/arts-and-culture\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cultural districts<\/a>. Once you <a href=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/oceanside-international-film-festival\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">experience OIFF<\/a>, you\u2019ll understand why so many people come for the films and stay for the vibe.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3e4292 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d3e4292\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c136c0c elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"c136c0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;aspect_ratio&quot;:&quot;1:1&quot;,&quot;columns&quot;:3,&quot;overlay_title&quot;:&quot;caption&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;grid&quot;,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:2,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:1,&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet_extra&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/OIFF-145.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"c136c0c\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDU4ODksInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC92aXNpdG9jZWFuc2lkZS5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjVcLzEyXC9PSUZGLTE0NS5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJjMTM2YzBjIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/OIFF-145.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" data-height=\"800\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sequence-01.00_27_05_05.Still005.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"c136c0c\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDU4ODcsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC92aXNpdG9jZWFuc2lkZS5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjVcLzEyXC9TZXF1ZW5jZS0wMS4wMF8yN18wNV8wNS5TdGlsbDAwNS5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJjMTM2YzBjIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sequence-01.00_27_05_05.Still005.jpg\" data-width=\"1920\" data-height=\"1080\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/OIFF2023_FinalNight-18-scaled.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"c136c0c\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDU4OTEsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC92aXNpdG9jZWFuc2lkZS5vcmdcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjVcLzEyXC9PSUZGMjAyM19GaW5hbE5pZ2h0LTE4LXNjYWxlZC5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiJjMTM2YzBjIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/OIFF2023_FinalNight-18-scaled.jpg\" data-width=\"2560\" data-height=\"1707\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Celebrate 15 years of storytelling at the Oceanside International Film Festival. In this exclusive Q&#038;A, we sit down with the festival\u2019s directors to explore its creative impact, community roots, and the cinematic experiences that continue to make OIFF an iconic cultural event on the coast.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":38647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[978,409,396,410,616,614,399],"tags":[1903,1057,1586,1055,175,1059,1590,1588,1058],"class_list":["post-45885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-and-culture","category-best-of","category-blog","category-food","category-food-and-drink","category-place-to-stay","category-things-to-do","tag-arts","tag-arts-culture","tag-best-of","tag-blog","tag-film","tag-history","tag-season-of-swellness","tag-stay","tag-things-to-do"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Oceanside International Film Festival 15th Anniversary Q&amp;A - Visit Oceanside<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Celebrate 15 years of storytelling at the Oceanside International Film Festival. In this exclusive Q&amp;A, we sit down with the festival\u2019s directors to explore its creative impact, community roots, and the cinematic experiences that continue to make OIFF an iconic cultural event on the coast.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/blog\/oceanside-international-film-festival-15th-anniversary\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Oceanside International Film Festival 15th Anniversary Q&amp;A - Visit Oceanside\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Celebrate 15 years of storytelling at the Oceanside International Film Festival. In this exclusive Q&amp;A, we sit down with the festival\u2019s directors to explore its creative impact, community roots, and the cinematic experiences that continue to make OIFF an iconic cultural event on the coast.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/blog\/oceanside-international-film-festival-15th-anniversary\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Visit Oceanside\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/VisitOceanside\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-01T21:05:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-02T01:34:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/visitoceanside.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Kristy-Walker-@kristywalkerphoto-LastWaltzFilmPremiere-114-2-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Veronica Voorhees\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@VisitOceanside\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@VisitOceanside\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Veronica Voorhees\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Oceanside International Film Festival 15th Anniversary Q&amp;A - Visit Oceanside","description":"Celebrate 15 years of storytelling at the Oceanside International Film Festival. 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