Film festival to honor filmmaker Britt Lower
– San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLOIFF) has announced that Emmy-winning actor, artist, and filmmaker Britt Lower will be a recipient of the festival’s Spotlight Presentation: Craft in Focus Award. Her new film Sender will screen at this year’s edition of the SLO Film Fest following its debut at SXSW 2026.
The festival runs from Thursday, April 23 through Tuesday, April 28. New to the festival this year, the Spotlight Presentation: Craft in Focus Award celebrates standout talent from the festival program through in-depth conversations exploring their past and current work, creative journeys, and perspectives on filmmaking.
The Spotlight Presentation, conversation with Britt Lower, and screening of Sender, are scheduled for Sunday, April 26 at the San Luis Obispo historic Masonic Lodge.
“Britt brings a striking presence to the screen, fully committing to every role she takes on,” San Luis Obispo International Film Festival Executive Director Skye McLennan said. “We’re excited to explore her career and highlight her long-standing support of independent film and distinctive, boundary-pushing projects.”
Lower is well known for starring as ‘Helly’ in the Emmy-nominated Apple TV series Severance. For her performance in Season 2, Lower won the 2025 Emmy Award for “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series” and was nominated for the 2026 Golden Globe Award, the 2026 Critics’ Choice Award, and two 2026 Actors Awards. For Season 1, she received a 2022 Gotham Award nomination for “Outstanding Performance in a New Series” and a 2023 SAG Award nomination for “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.”
In addition to her starring role in the psychological horror film Sender, alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, Lower stars in Netflix’s upcoming limited series I Will Find You. Based on Harlan Coben’s bestselling novel, I Will Find You, also stars Sam Worthington and Milo Ventimiglia.
At the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, Lower starred in two films presented there: Darkest Miriam (produced by Charlie Kaufman) and Psycho Therapy alongside Steve Buscemi and John Magaro, which won the Audience Award. Among her numerous other features, Lower co-starred in Holly Slept Over, Sisters, Mr. Roosevelt, and Revenge For Jolly! with Oscar Isaac.
On television, she starred in Simon Rich’s Man Seeking Woman; had recurring roles in Casual, Unforgettable, and Future Man; and made notable guest appearances on HBO’s High Maintenance alongside Ben Sinclair.
Lower made her directorial debut at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival with Circus Person, a short film she wrote, produced, and starred in. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences performing as a ringmaster in one-ring tent circuses, Britt is currently developing Circus Person into a feature film.
After growing up in rural Illinois, Lower studied visual art and theater at Northwestern University before moving to New York City. She now lives in Brooklyn with her husband and stepchildren.
With a slate of over 100 films from 25 countries including narrative features, short films, feature documentaries, and doc shorts, the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival is known for its dedication to diversity and inclusivity, highlighting both emerging and established filmmakers from around the globe. This year brings two new categories – Episodics and a special award recognizing the Best Genre/Horror Film.
SLOIFF has announced this year’s exciting film lineup, led by the Opening Night selection of the documentary about tennis legend Billy Jean King, Give Me The Ball!, and Power Ballad, starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas, as the Closing Night selection.
Also on tap at the festival are the fest’s famous Surf Nite, the popular Central Coast Filmmaker Showcase, Cal Poly Short Cuts, Music Video Showcase, and Community of Skate. Additional programs include short films curated by R.A.C.E. Matters, and Filmmakers of Tomorrow, featuring short films by those 18 and under.
Passes are now on sale, and information on the film festival can be found at https://slofilmfest.org.
