Acclaimed Film Festival Brings Weeklong Celebration to South Valley

The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival returns to Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista April 8-15 with more films and venues than ever before.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:48pm

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The acclaimed Poppy Jasper International Film Festival is returning to the South Valley region from April 8-15, featuring a packed schedule of film screenings, panels, special events, and awards across multiple cities. This year's festival is expected to draw a record number of filmmakers as it continues its mission of promoting inclusion, diversity, and women's empowerment in the film industry.

Why it matters

The Poppy Jasper Film Festival has become a major cultural event for the South Valley, bringing economic benefits through tourism and film production, while also serving as a platform to elevate underrepresented voices in cinema. As the festival expands its reach and programming, it aims to further cement the region's reputation as a hub for independent and international filmmaking.

The details

The festival will kick off on April 7 with a VIP pre-party in Morgan Hill, followed by screenings, panels, and special events across the four host cities over the next eight days. Highlights include a focus on local filmmakers, a Women's Day celebration, an LGBTQ+ Day, and the premiere of a 20th anniversary music video created by Grammy-winning Gilroy native Randy Spendlove. The festival will also feature powerful documentaries like 'Flowers Beyond the Dark' about the war in Ukraine and 'Nina is an Athlete' about a paraplegic badminton champion.

  • The festival runs from April 8-15, 2026.
  • The VIP pre-party in Morgan Hill takes place on the evening of April 7.
  • The opening gala in Morgan Hill is scheduled for April 10.
  • The Central Coast Film Summit in Gilroy is on April 8.
  • The festival concludes with closing ceremonies in Hollister on the evening of April 15.

The players

Mattie Scariot

The executive director of the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, who oversees the event's mission of promoting inclusion, diversity, and women's empowerment in the film industry.

Alex Caulfield

A Canadian filmmaker whose drama 'What Comes Next' will have its special screening as part of the opening gala in Morgan Hill.

Randy Spendlove

A Grammy-winning music producer from Gilroy who has collaborated with the festival to create its official 20th anniversary music video.

Iryna Pravylo

A Ukrainian filmmaker whose documentary 'Flowers Beyond the Dark' about the Russian invasion of Ukraine will screen in Hollister.

Eugene Rodriguez

A musician known for his work with the band Los Lobos, who will receive an icon award and participate in a screening and book signing in Hollister.

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What they’re saying

“We really try to change the way we see each other through film. Our mission is about inclusion, diversity and women's empowerment. In Hollywood, there's a huge deficit with women and minorities, and we're trying to change that.”

— Mattie Scariot, Executive Director, Poppy Jasper International Film Festival

“I just felt it was a powerful film. It's a filmmaker doing her first feature, and I think she does an amazing job. It stars Mena Suvari. I thought it was appropriate for an opening ceremony.”

— Mattie Scariot, Executive Director, Poppy Jasper International Film Festival

“What we're trying to do is engage local government and make them see the value of having a film festival—the economic impact we have on the community—so we get more support.”

— Mattie Scariot, Executive Director, Poppy Jasper International Film Festival

What’s next

The festival will conclude with closing ceremonies and the announcement of filmmaker and audience awards on the evening of April 15 in Hollister.

The takeaway

The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival has become a vital cultural institution for the South Valley region, not only bringing economic benefits through tourism and film production, but also serving as an important platform to elevate diverse voices and perspectives in cinema. As the festival continues to grow and expand its programming, it solidifies the area's reputation as a hub for independent and international filmmaking.