Poppy Jasper International Film Festival

06/12/2026

Last night's special screening of American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez was completely SOLD OUT, filling the theater with community members, artists, educators, and film lovers from across the region.

We are grateful to CineLux Theatres Gilroy for generously donating the theater and helping make this event possible. Thank you to Ernesto Olivares for co-hosting the evening, to musicians Charlie Montoya, Eduardo Robledo, and Chuy Covarrubias for creating such a memorable pre-show experience, and to Cesar E Flores and Phil Esparza for sharing their insights during the Q&A discussion.

A special thank you to Dr. Francisco Jiménez for joining us and to photographer Liliana De Santiago for beautifully capturing the evening.

Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended. Your support helps Poppy Jasper International Film Festival continue its mission of changing the way we see each other through film while investing in the next generation of local storytellers through our Filmmaker Scholarship Fund.

The celebration continues with American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez, returning to El Teatro Campesino on June 13, 14, 27, and 28. If you missed our sold-out screening, we encourage you to experience this powerful film and the extraordinary legacy of Luis Valdez.

What a meaningful tribute to a cultural icon whose work continues to inspire generations of storytellers.

06/06/2026

Please join us in congratulating our Festival Director, L. Mattock Scariot, on being recognized by Influential Women as a 2026 honoree.

This well-deserved recognition reflects Mattie's years of dedication to building community through film, championing diverse voices, and creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers throughout our region.

We are grateful for her leadership and proud to celebrate this honor with her.

Congratulations, Mattie!

Recognition

06/04/2026

Vote for Marla! 🎤

We are thrilled to share that Marla Davies Board Member of Poppy Jasper Inc. and Station Manager of our upcoming radio station KPJSradioFM, has been nominated for the Bay Area Radio Museum & Hall of Fame

For more than two decades, Marla — known as the "Voice of Silicon Valley" — has entertained and connected Bay Area listeners through her love of radio, community, and storytelling. She is one of the many reasons the Poppy Jasper family is so special.

Now we have an opportunity to show Marla how much she means to all of us.

Please take a moment to vote for her:
https://bayarearadio.org/featured/barhof-2026-public

Marla has spent her career elevating others. Let's come together and help elevate her.

Congratulations, Marla — we are so proud of you and grateful for everything you do for our community.

05/29/2026

We are beyond grateful to announce that AMERICAN PACHUCO: The Legend of Luis Valdez is officially SOLD OUT!

What began as a fundraiser to support the PJIFF Filmmaker Scholarship Fund has become a powerful celebration of community, culture, and storytelling. Your support helps us continue creating opportunities for emerging local filmmakers through education, mentorship, equipment, and film programs.

A special thank you to Ernesto Olivares, whose passion, guidance, and commitment have helped bring this event to life. We are also incredibly grateful to CineLux Theatres in Gilroy for generously donating the theater, making it possible for every dollar raised to go toward elevating and encouraging the next generation of local storytellers.

We're honored to celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Luis Valdez with a full house of film lovers, artists, community leaders, and supporters.

Thank you to our musical performers, Charlie Montoya, Eduardo Robledo, and Chuy Covarrubias, for helping make this evening even more special.

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets, shared the event, volunteered, and helped spread the word. This is a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to support the arts.

See you on June 10th!

05/21/2026

Join us for a special screening of AMERICAN PACHUCO — a powerful celebration of the life, legacy, and impact of Luis Valdez, the groundbreaking filmmaker, playwright, and founder of El Teatro Campesino, who forever changed Latino representation in the arts.

This evening is more than a film screening. It’s a community gathering supporting the next generation of local emerging filmmakers through PJIFF.

🎬 Special Screening + Q&A, moderated by Ernesto Olivares
📍 Gilroy Cinelux Theater
📅 Wednesday, June 10, 2026
🎟 Tickets: $15

Arrive early for our pre-show experience featuring live music by Charlie Montoya, Eduardo Robledo & Chuy Covarrubias, community gathering, and step & repeat beginning at 6 PM.

Every ticket helps support the PJIFF local scholarship fund.

Let’s celebrate a legend while investing in the future of film.

Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/special-screening-of-american-pachuco-hosted-by-pjiff-tickets-1989878967558?aff=oddtdtcreator

Arrive early for our pre-show experience featuring live music by Charlie Montoya, Eduardo Robledo & Chuy Covarrubias, a community gathering, and a step & repeat beginning at 6pm.

05/16/2026

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival Audience Awards — 28 categories, chosen entirely by you.

From horror to animation, documentary to experimental, student films to narrative features — this year's audiences showed up, watched closely, and voted with their hearts. Every award on this list belongs to a filmmaker who trusted us with their story.

Thank you to our incredible audiences across five cities for making these awards mean something. 

Congratulations to all our winners — you'll find the full list in the graphic above. 

 






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