Ann-Margret to be Honored at 2016 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival

Academy Award-winner Alan Arkin, who received the King Vidor Award in 2010, will present the award to his friend and colleague at the historic Fremont Theatre in Downtown San Luis Obispo on Saturday, March 19.

“I am very much looking forward to coming back. Ann-Margret is as delightful and genuine as a person can be,” said Arkin who co-stars in the May release, “Going In Style,” with Ann-Margret, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine.

After the King Vidor Award ceremony, which is sponsored by BHE Renewables, SLO Film Fest will honor Ann-Margret with a celebration that includes the George Sidney Independent Film Awards. Ann-Margret, who worked with George Sidney on several films, will participate in the filmmaker awards. Before the presentation, the Festival will screen Viva Las Vegas, the 1964 comedy/musical starring Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley, and directed by George Sidney.

Ann-Margret, a consummate entertainer, has been nominated twice for an Academy Award, won five Golden Globe Awards, an Emmy, and received five more Emmy nominations. She is a three-time winner of the “Female Star of the Year” award and has been twice honored as “Outstanding Box Office Star of the Year” by the Theatre Owners of America. Ann-Margret was also nominated for a Grammy. She has performed at the White House, received presidential citations for entertaining the U.S. armed forces overseas and was honored by the USO World Board of Governors. During the Vietnam War, Ann-Margret and other entertainers teamed up for a USO tour to entertain U.S. service members in remote parts of Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Since her 1961 film debut playing Bette Davis' daughter in A Pocketful of Miracles, Ann-Margret has made over fifty-five films, including such hits as Cincinnati Kid, State Fair, Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas, Grumpy Old Men and its sequel. Her two Academy Award nominations were earned in director Mike Nichols' groundbreaking film, Carnal Knowledge and in the classic Ken Russell rock film, Tommy. A gifted “triple threat” performer, Ann-Margret also starred in the extremely successful, coast-to-coast production of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, which toured 39 cities.

Ann-Margret recently appeared in a two-part episode of Showtime's highest rated series Ray Donovan, and as well as a number of other TV series.

The SLO Film Fest Awards

The event will begin at 5 p.m. with a screening of Viva Las Vegas. After a short intermission, Ann-Margret will be presented with the King Vidor Award, followed by juried awards for winning filmmakers in several categories. An awards after-party will also be held at the SLO Masonic Lodge in downtown San Luis Obispo, sponsored by several preeminent local wineries, restaurants and breweries.

+ A Tribute to Ann-Margret – Saturday, March 19, Fremont Theatre, 1025 Monterey St. SLO.
+ Viva Las Vegas – 5 pm
+ King Vidor Award and George Sidney Filmmaker Awards – 7 pm, $15 General / $10 Students & SLOIFF Film Society. Tickets includes movie and awards (Only Movie Mogul Passes accepted).
+ Awards Night After-Party – 8:30 pm King David Masonic Lodge, 859 Marsh St., $35 General / $25 Students & SLOIFF Film Society.
Other Highlights of the 22nd Annual SLO Film Fest
+ Sponsored by the City of San Luis Obispo, the new Hollywood & Vines Hospitality Tent behind the historic Fremont Theater will feature behind-the-scenes film panels, after-parties with live music, happy hour events and Central Coast wine, beer and food.

+ 11th Annual Surf Nite in SLO will feature Ocean Driven, a new documentary about big wave surfer and Maverick's champion, Chris Bertish. Internationally renowned waterman and public speaker, Bertish will travel from South Africa to be in attendance along with Maverick's pioneer, Jeff Clark, director Nadia Tarlow and Greg Linden, VP of Big Wave World Tour. More special guests TBA. The event is sponsored by the Boutique Hotel Collection, City of Pismo Beach and Quality Suites.
> Friday, March 18, 7 p.m. at the Fremont Theatre, San Luis Obispo.

+ Vintage Paso Robles: Zinfandel and the Paso Wine Alliance will sponsor Somm: Into the Bottle, part of an event that includes a “Zinposium” hosted by Master Sommelier Fred Dame and an after-party at the Park Ballroom, featuring California Zinfandels and local desserts.
> Friday, March 18, 5:30 p.m. Zinposium, 7 p.m. movie at Park Cinemas, Paso Robles.

+ An Afternoon of Film Noir & Pinot Noir will offer attendees a chance to taste a variety of Central Coast Pinot's (including a number of award-winning wines) before a screening of a great “film noir.” The event is sponsored by Grape Encounters & SLO Wine Country.
> Saturday, March 18, 1 p.m. at the Fremont Theatre, San Luis Obispo

+ Special Presentation films throughout the festival include a retrospective of Ann-Margret's film career including a Sing-long With Bye Bye Birdie on closing night; the silent classic Nosferatu with an original and live piano score by German pianist, Markus Horn; a day-long series of ocean-related films in Avila Beach; a new film series for running enthusiasts; a classic William Wellman film hosted by William Wellman Jr., and more to be announced soon.

A number of special-event tickets are on sale now. The complete festival schedule and film lineup will be announced in early February on www.slofilmfest.org. Press credentials will be available for approved media representatives, please email Elissa Wiese for those details. Photos are available upon request.