As late spring slips into summer, activity levels are rising,
and organizers of the first Poppy Jasper Film Fest are gaining
momentum with their fall plans for three fun-filled days of film
and festivities in downtown Morgan Hill.
As late spring slips into summer, activity levels are rising, and organizers of the first Poppy Jasper Film Fest are gaining momentum with their fall plans for three fun-filled days of film and festivities in downtown Morgan Hill.
The Poppy Jasper Film Fest – named for the reddish gemstone only found in Morgan Hill – is a festival of short films, those that run 30 minutes or less. Film submissions are limited to California students and professionals.
The films will be judged in seven categories: premiere, if it’s the film’s debut; independent, for films that haven’t been produced by a major studio; documentary, animation, music video and student, for films made by youngsters through 12th grade.
There is also a special category for locals, themed “Expressions of Morgan Hill.”
Bill Leaman, the brain behind the festival, said that the “Expressions of Morgan Hill” category can be a video that is unique to Morgan Hill, and can feature school life, the community, youth or anything that reflects life in Morgan Hill.
“This film festival is the latest addition to our expanding cultural arts community,” said Kim Bush, the festival chair.
Organizers see the festival, scheduled for Nov. 12-14, as an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers, especially girls, women and minorities who are underrepresented in the filmmaking industry, to get exposure.
Local artist and festival hospitality chair, Rosemary Rideout, who researched women in film, said that before 1940, almost 50 percent of all Hollywood films were produced by women.
Now, it is about 6 percent.
“Having more women to take part in the film festival – one way or another – would give them back the voice they’ve had in the past,” Rideout said.
The cable channel Oxygen will fund an excellence award for a female filmmaker.
Winners of each category will also receive a prize, which has not yet been determined, but which could be something crafted from the poppy jasper stone.
A gala event at the Community and Cultural Center will open the festival, followed by filmmaker workshops, screening receptions and other industry and networking events.
Pre-festival activities are under way throughout the spring and summer, right up until the event takes place.
In early July, a drive-in classic movie night is planned for downtown in the community center amphitheater.
The 50’s-themed night will feature the movie “Grease.” Participants can wear retro 50’s clothes or just hang out, eat popcorn, check out classic cars and have fun.
Leaman, former president of Media Access Coalition of Central California, came up with the idea that independent films could make Morgan Hill’s local cable Channel 19 become a more efficient medium. MACCC operates the Morgan Hill Access Channel.
Poppy Jasper organizers hope to raise funds for visual arts in Morgan Hill and monies for high school students pursuing filmmaking careers.
After the film festival, there are plans to air the independent films on the local cable channel.
“Again, fostering independent film, culture and giving the films additional exposure,” Bush said. “We are looking to establish a film festival scholarship to provide quality programming through our local cable channel and establish a film education program at Gavilan College.”
Poppy Jasper is focused on promoting emerging voices and an awareness of the film arts in California.
“We want to make our presence known during our first year,” Bush said.
