Organizers plan fundraiser to offset costs
Morgan Hill – The Poppy Jasper Film Festival will take on a new look this year, with the inclusion of international films and a new location.
In hopes of raising money for the third annual event, which showcases small-time filmmakers, organizers will host a fundraiser at Guglielmo Winery on East Main Avenue.
“Tickets are selling briskly and that is a good sign,” said Kim Bush, the film festival’s chairwoman. “We encourage people to come support it. With us expanding internationally, it is really exciting. We would like the whole community to join us.”
The festival will have an international flavor this year, organizers say, by expanding entries to include film makers from around the world, rather than just California. Also, the Granada Theater will not host the festival.
Instead, there will be three locations around Morgan Hill for the Nov. 10-12 festival.
Bush said the festival has outgrown the capabilities of the older theater.
“The film festival has reached a standard where the Granada won’t fill needs,” Bush said.
Bush added that he hopes the festival could one day return to the Granada Theater, but added that it needs to undergo a renovation before that could happen.
The June 25 Cinema at the Winery fundraiser will take place from 5-10pm and will feature the Italian film “Cinema Paradiso,” a 1989 Academy Award winner in the best foreign film category.
Tickets for the fundraiser are limited to 200 and cost $80, $55 of which can be tax deductible.
Cinema at the Winery will provide guests with wine and food before the movie starts.
Guests can also win door prizes valued at $2,000 which include gift baskets provided by local merchants.
Organizers also plan to have a roaming “reporter” who will interview guests and will air the piece after the playing of the movie.
Film festival chairwoman Kim Bush said people can also expect some surprises, though she would not elaborate about their nature.
Bush said she hopes to hold a festival fundraiser once a year, but expand the theme each year.
“We just want to do it once a year because there are so many worthy organizations in town and we would be asking the same people for money,” Bush said.
As a result, festival planners are hoping to raise extra money to bring in guest speakers and a few extra dollars for the film festival.
“We were thinking how do we offset costs?” said Rosemary Rossell, chairwoman of marketing “One of the ways is to have fundraiser.”
Rossell said the festival costs between $50,000 and $60,000 and added that with the expansion to international films, the number could rise.
Instead, the film festival will be held primarily at the Community Playhouse as well as showings at Cinelux Theaters and Specialized Bicycle Components.
Entries are still being accepted though July 15. Films will be screened and winners will be chosen in October to be shown in the festival.
Tickets are available at the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce during the week. Tickets may also be purchased, or for more information, by calling 782-8087 or e-mail at in**@po*********************.org.
