The second Poppy Jasper Film Festival takes place Nov. 11 to 13 at various locations in downtown Morgan Hill.
The festival takes its name from the semi-precious, bright yellow and orange Poppy Jasper gemstone found only in Morgan Hill.
From a field of over 100 submissions, the best 30 films will be screened in the following genres: drama, social commentary, music, documentary and comedy. By focusing on the short film format of 30-minutes or less, the all-volunteer PJFF steering committee hopes to promote emerging voices in the California film community.
PJFF is also proud to present two special invited films. “Mighty Times: The Children’s March” was the 2004 Academy-Award winner for Best Documentary Short. “Lift” was the winner of the Audience Award Short Film at this year’s Cinequest film festival in San Jose.
In addition to the film screenings, an entire weekend of workshops and special events is planned, allowing film enthusiasts and amateur filmmakers an excellent opportunity to learn more about the craft and business of filmmaking.
Films will be screened in two-hour blocks beginning at 1pm on Friday, Nov. 11 and throughout the day on Saturday, Nov. 13 and Sunday, Nov. 14. For the Saturday screenings, guest moderators will host each block and provide an overview of the scheduled films. Immediately following each screening block is a Q&A session with the filmmakers.
Film screenings will be held at the Granada Theater in downtown Morgan Hill and Cinelux Theaters in Tennant Station Shopping Center. Film titles, synopses, filmmaker bios and the complete schedule of films can be found at www.poppyjasperfilmfest.org.
Academy-Award nominated film editor, Bud S. Smith, will give a keynote presentation at the Granada Theater on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 7pm. Smith is a Hollywood veteran who has edited such films as “The Exorcist,” “Flashdance,” “The Karate Kid,” and more recently “Ladder 49,” “The Young Black Stallion,” and “The Game of Their Lives.”
Tickets for all events may be purchased in person at the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, Monday through Friday and at MHAT-TV 19 Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 7pm. Will-call tickets may be purchased at www.poppyjasperfilmfest.org. Cash or check only.
Women in Film
Panel Discussion
Presented by: Blanchard Ryan, actress (Open Water)
Jan Wahl, film critic KCBS radio and KRON television
Lucy Coldsnow-Smith, dialogue editor (Million Dollar Baby)
Jennifer Friedes, screenwriter (Iron Jawed Angels)
Shari Gibbons, producer
Moderated by: Fran Lozano, Dean of Liberal Arts, Gavilan College
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2pm – 3:30pm. Morgan Hill Community Playhouse
Workshops ( Times: TBD, Location: Gavilan College Morgan Hill Site)
7 Keys to Commercial Success
Presented by Josh Carmichael, award winning writer/director
Saturday, Nov. 13
Scripting—The first piece of a successful film
Presented by Barnaby Dallas, film/theater producer and screenwriting instructor at SJSU
Saturday, Nov. 13
The Sound and Fury of Independent Filmmaking
Presented by Grant Richards, film
history and production instructor at Gavilan College
Saturday, Nov. 13
Creating Success in the film industry
Presented by Wali Razaqi,
independent filmmaker
Saturday, Nov. 13
Special Events
Juror’s Choice and Kick-Off Reception
Friday, Nov. 11, 7pm at the Granada Theater
Free Student Film Screening
Saturday, Nov. 12, 10am at the Community Playhouse
An Evening with film editor,
Bud S. Smith
Saturday, Nov. 13, 7pm at the Granada Theater
Award Ceremony
Sunday, Nov. 13, 3pm at the Granada Theater
