Artober Part 1: Celebrating the Grand Opening of the SLO Film Center—A New Chapter for Cinema in SLO

It’s not every day that you see a theater decked out with a 12-foot skeleton, spooky decor, and a lineup of costumed witches casting a spell of excitement over the crowd. But that’s exactly what greeted guests at the grand opening of the SLO Film Center at the Palm Theatre on October 2nd. As part of our exciting new partnership with the City of San Luis Obispo for ARTober, I had the chance to attend this unforgettable event, and it’s safe to say the Film Center is off to an incredible start.

Walking into the Palm Theatre, you could feel the buzz of excitement. The staff and board members of the SLO Film Festival, all donning witch costumes, set the festive mood. And let’s not forget the decorations—giant skeletons, haunting music, and perfectly placed cobwebs transformed the venue into a Halloween wonderland. It was clear from the moment I stepped inside that the SLO Film Center is more than just a theater—it’s a community space brimming with energy, creativity, and passion for film.

It was also great to see my good friend Suzanne, who’s been a fantastic partner in radio over the years. I had the pleasure of congratulating her on her new role as Vice President of the Board of the Film Festival. Seeing someone so dedicated to the arts take on this leadership position just made the night even more special.

I had the pleasure of catching up with Skye McLennan, Executive Director of the SLO Film Festival and the new SLO Film Center, who has been working tirelessly to bring this vision to life. The Film Center represents a bold new step in expanding the impact of independent cinema in San Luis Obispo. Skye couldn’t contain her excitement as she shared how the Film Center will become a year-round destination for film lovers to experience everything from new releases and retrospectives to live music, comedy, and more.

“It’s kind of like the festival on steroids because it’s year-round now,” Skye said with a laugh. “Every month, we’re releasing a calendar of films. It’s so much work, but we’re loving it.”

The partnership between the SLO Film Festival and the iconic Palm Theatre, owned by Jim Dee, has been years in the making. Skye explained that with the challenges the film industry has faced—from COVID-19 disruptions to the ever-evolving world of streaming—they wanted to ensure that the beloved Palm Theatre remains a permanent fixture in the community. “People underestimate and think, ‘Oh, it’s just going to always be there,’” she said. “But the industry is so up in the air right now. For us, it was really trying to think of creative ways that we can make sure that this place lasts.”

Beyond preserving the legacy of the Palm Theatre, Skye emphasized that the SLO Film Center is all about making cinema a shared experience again. “We want to remind people how fun it is to come and see a movie with friends and family, to laugh, to cry,” she said. “Recently, we showed The Room, and we had 90 people in the theater screaming and yelling at the screen, throwing spoons. That interaction and fun—you can’t get that at home.”

The SLO Film Center will offer more than just screenings. There are plans for educational workshops, special events, and opportunities for other nonprofit partners and the community to use the space. “We want this to be a hub for all kinds of cultural activities,” Skye explained. “It’s a space where people can gather, connect, and share their love for film and art.”

With October’s lineup packed with horror favorites like Frankenweenie and Hocus Pocus, along with family-friendly films, the SLO Film Center has something for everyone. And the best part? The experience is still incredibly accessible. “We’re still extremely affordable,” Skye said proudly. “Our popcorn is still just $2 for a small. We want people to come out, even if it’s to see a movie they’ve already seen. You’ve never seen it with an audience like this, or maybe you’ve never seen it on the big screen. We encourage everyone to be adventurous and try something new.”

The grand opening was more than just a night of fun—it was the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the arts and culture scene in SLO. As Skye put it, “The Film Center is going to have its own kind of personality. It’s like that record store you go to where people know your name, and it feels like home.”

With her unwavering passion and vision, it’s clear that Skye and the SLO Film Center team are committed to making the Film Center a place where everyone feels welcome—a place where art, film, and community come together. I can’t wait to see how it evolves and continues to bring people together through the magic of cinema.

Be sure to visit the SLO Film Center at the Palm Theatre and experience it for yourself. You can find more information about upcoming films and events on their website: SLO Film Center. And if you want to hear the full interview with Skye and catch all the details, check out this episode of Up & Adam here.

And as Skye said as we wrapped up our conversation, “I’ll see you at the movies!”