Week-long festival starts April 6; super early bird tix available until Feb. 20

Photo courtesy Poppy Jasper International Film Festival
Italian filmmaker Gabriele Fabbro’s “The Grand Bolero” will be featured at the 2022 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival.

By Staff Report

The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival’s film lineup for its 2022 edition promises to entertain audiences with some of the best independent films from around the world including Australia, Italy, Iran and Mexico.

This year’s hybrid festival will run from Wednesday, April 6, to Wednesday, April 13. It will feature both in-person and virtual screenings and events and showcase a combination of documentary and narrative films.

“We are excited to bring these compelling and inspiring stories to our community, celebrating the beauty and power of film and welcome back audiences for PJIFF 2022,” said Festival Director Mattie Scariot.

Featured films include Australia’s “Gravel Road” that follows the life of Jay Minning, singer-songwriter of the band the Desert Starks, based in the remote area of Tjuntjuntjara, Australia; Italy’s “Il Grand Bolero” that follows the story of a cynical middle-aged pipe organ cleaner struggling to control her attraction to her new 20-year-old assistant during Rome’s COVID-19 lockdown; and Juliet Landau’s feature film debut “A Place Among the Dead.” The full lineup also includes more than 100 short films from 30 different countries.

The festival will also feature panel discussions with industry leaders to discuss an array of subjects including women in film, the film industry, and visual effects with more to be announced at a later date.

Adhering to PJIFF’s mission of supporting independent filmmakers and its local community, the festival will also include a Youth and Student Festival Day April 6 showcasing student films from across the world.

Mexico Day April 11 will feature films from the country as well as panel discussions on the industry and Latino representation in the industry.

On April 12 LGBTQ+ Day will highlight the work of LGBTQ+ filmmakers.

And Iran Day April 13 will spotlight some of the best films from the country including PJIFF alumni Javad Daraei’s “Metamorphosis in the Slaughterhouse.”

On Thursday, April 7 the festival will host a special celebration, the “Poppy Bash!”, to premiere the song “Believe” inspired by the festival and its mission. The night will include a special live performance of the song by its composers, Grammy Award-winner Randy Spendlove, president of worldwide publishing and music at Paramount Pictures, along with multi-platinum artist Polo Jones and other local musicians. The event will be co-hosted by Jayson Stebbins and Drag Queen Alina Malletti Galore.

The festival will offer in person and virtual screening in accordance with CDC guidelines and is closely following any health-related precautions to protect the public and the community.

Tickets and passes are now available on PJIFF’s website here with a special super early bird price available until Feb. 20.

The PJIFF is an award-winning regional festival with venues in Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista. Its mission is to promote inclusion, diversity and women empowerment through film, music, and art by inviting independent filmmakers from all cultures to explore major issues of the day through the power of film.

It encourages, engages, and educates filmmakers and the South Valley community of all ages through its eight educational film programs so that everyone can “find their voice through film.”

Tickets and passes are now available on PJIFF’s website at www.pjiff2022.eventive.org/passes/buy.