Festival to take place April 12-19, passes and tickets now on sale
British actor Timothy Spall stars in the feature film “Bolan’s Shoes.” It will be shown at the 2023 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival in April. Photo courtesy Richard Swingle
Story published on MorganHillLife.com on February 27, 2023
By Staff Report
Get ready for showtime! The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival team presented Feb. 27 its full film lineup of exceptional cinema for its 2023 edition.
“We are honored that this year we can continue to bring the best of global cinema to our community to shine a light and celebrate these talented filmmakers,” said Festival Director Mattie Scariot. “From drama, horror, animation to comedy, we have a program that has something for everyone.”
This year’s festival will take place from Wednesday, April 12 to Wednesday, April 19 in four South Valley region cities. Scariot said 260 films from 30 country will be shown. The event will also highlight local people who make a difference with its annual Icon awards ceremony.
“Each year our film festival acknowledges local and regional community members, as well as distinguished artists, actors, and writers for their contributions,” Scariot said. “By giving out Icon awards we identify leaders in the film community with the hope that they will continue to inspire others.”
The festival’s feature films are:
- “Antarctica” about two life-long friends whose lives get flipped upside down as they hit senior year
- “Bolan’s Shoes” starring BAFTA-nominated British actor Timothy Spall telling the story of a tumultuous journey from the height of T. Rex mania in 1970s Liverpool to the present-day poignancy of what would have been Marc Bolan’s 75th birthday
- about Roger Sharpe, the GQ journalist and real-life pinball wizard who in 1976 single-handedly overturned New York City’s 35-year ban on pinball machines.
Poppy Jasper’s documentaries include:
- “The Creative High” that follows nine artists in recovery from addiction and how they are transformed by creativity in their turbulent search for identity and freedom
- “Roots of Fire” about five award-winning musicians who push against stereotypes of the American South and move the music of their ancestors forward
- “Jack Has A Plan” about a man who has had a terminal brain tumor for 25 years and decided to end his life and the impact on his friends and family as they struggle with his decision.
The festival’s variety of short films from around the globe include cinematic artistry from Brazil, Iran, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Independent filmmakers will be showcasing a number of short films including:
- “The Outing” from the United Kingdom starring Elizabeth Rider from the smash hit series “Line of Duty” and Julie Hesmondhalgh from British television drama “Coronation Street”
- Iran’s animated short films “Fobi” by director Elham Aminian
- “The Sprayer” directed by Farnoosh Abedi
- “Chipper” starring Brad Carter from “Yellowstone” and Jayson Warner Smith from “The Walking Dead”
The Poppy Jasper features specially themed days throughout its run to focus on various aspects of the South Valley community. It will open with its Youth and Student Festival Day on April 12 showcasing student films from across the world. It will show cinema art made in the region at its local filmmaker showcase on April 13.
Luis and Lupe Valdez. Lupe will be honored with an Icon award at the 2023 PJIFF. Photo courtesy El Teatro Campesino
The festival will host its Mexico Day on Monday, April 17, to celebrate through films the language and culture of Mexico. At this event, it will be presenting its Icon Award to producer, actor, screenwriter and costume designer Lupe Valdez, the wife of noted director Luis Valdez. As founding members of the El Teatro Campesino theater group based in San Juan Bautista, the couples have been a key participant in the evolution of Chicano film and theatre for more than 50 years.
The festival organizers invite the South Valley community to its LGBTQ+ Day on Tuesday, April 19, to showcase various short films. These include “After Sunset, Dawn Arrives,” directed by Andy Yi LI, “Boifriend” directed by Rebecca Marquardt; “Promise,” directed by Lane Michael Stanley; “Make Me King,” directed by Sophia Olins; “You’re Alright Hun,” directed by Katie-Ann McDonough; “Tiny Mad Animals,” directed by David Maybrick; “BoyCam,” directed by Rodrigo Sena, Arlindo Bezzerra and Emani Silveira; and “The Tendency,” directed by Mobin Pekand.
The legendary Poppy Bash will be held on the night of Friday, April 14, at Capos Event Center in downtown Gilroy. The evening will include a musical presentation by Randy Spendlove, the Grammy Award winner and president of Paramount Worldwide Publishing and Music. He grew up in Gilroy.
Kat Dyson, an award-winning guitarist and composer, will be awarded with PJIFF Icon Award during the evening as well. Dyson has shared the stage with music artists including Cyndi Lauper, Prince, Natalie Cole, Mick Jagger, Sting and Stevie Wonder.
To commemorate PJIFF spirit of creativity, five local breweries, representing each of the hosting cities, are working together to craft a special beer to mark the occasion. The breweries participating include Brewery Twenty-Five (San Juan Bautista), Kelly Brewing Co. (Morgan Hill), Settle Down Beer (Gilroy), Promised Land Brewing Co. (Gilroy), and Mad Pursuit Brewing Co (Hollister).
Award-winning British actor Ian Puleston-Davies who stars in “Bolan’s Shoes” will be attending the festival and will participate in the Q&A after the screening on Saturday, April 15.
Tickets and passes are now available on PJIFF’s website here with a special super early bird price available until March 10.
The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival is an award-winning regional festival in Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista, Ca, located south of Silicon Valley. The mission of PJIFF 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. We encourage, engage, and educate filmmakers and our community members of all ages through our 8 educational film programs so that everyone can “find their voice through film.”
For more information and updates please visit PJIFF website by clicking here.
Follow PJIFF on social media through these links:
This story was written from a press release sent Feb. 27 from the festival’s media representative.
