In its 20th edition, the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival commemorates its status as a destination festival.

      Poppy Jasper International Film Festival director Mattie Scariot reminisces about her childhood in Gilroy, California, where she felt disconnected from the film industry.

      “When I was 10, I aspired to be a film director while living in a community of fewer than 10,000 people,” she shared on Friday. “Our town was so small that there was only one store where everyone got their clothes, which meant we often arrived at school wearing the same outfit. That’s how tiny it was.”

      Gilroy, known for its agricultural roots and famous for garlic and various spices, has seen growth over the years, as has the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. At the opening gala of the festival’s 20th edition on Friday night, Scariot gazed at a diverse audience of filmmakers from around the globe, who sampled local wines at Morgan Hill’s beautiful CURA Contemporary Art Gallery before proceeding to the nearby Granada Theatre, a 103-year-old venue that has been beautifully renovated.

      The Poppy Jasper festival has evolved significantly, much like the communities it represents. It was established by film and television industry veteran William W. Leaman and was originally located in Morgan Hill, named after the semiprecious poppy jasper stones found almost exclusively there, recognized for their circular shapes resembling poppy flowers.

      Under Scariot's directorship since 2018, she has broadened the festival’s reach beyond Morgan Hill to include nearby Hollister, San Martin, San Juan Bautista, and her native Gilroy. She realized that its picturesque setting, featuring magnificent rolling hills, could position it as a destination festival akin to those in Santa Barbara and Napa Valley.

      Once a quiet agricultural area, it is now situated just south of Silicon Valley, making it accessible for those in search of a gentler, more organic lifestyle outside the tech hub. The region retains a significant local community engaged in farming, winemaking, and dining, with Scariot pointing out that several Michelin-starred chefs have recently been attracted to the area.

      The festival, which recently appeared on MovieMaker’s list of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals, combines comfort with innovation. Scariot is particularly focused on providing a platform for discovering films by women, people of color, and other underrepresented filmmakers. This year’s edition features industry figures from CAA, Buffalo 8, Festival Formula, and more, including Grammy and Emmy award winners.

      “We are just as impressive as anywhere else globally, and that’s what we celebrate here—not only films from around the world but also our local filmmakers and our agricultural culture, including our farm workers, politicians, and everyone who contributes to this community.”

      The latest Poppy Jasper International Film Festival showcases over 300 films, with a well-curated program featuring notable works like American Comic, documentaries such as Voices: The Danny Gans Story, and acclaimed shorts like “Clean Girl.” On Tuesday, there will be a special 3D screening of Amanda Lapore’s The Crown with a Shadow and the Search for Self, while Lapore, an artist formerly known as a club kid who has collaborated with figures like Elton John and David LaChapelle, will be honored with the festival’s Icon Award.

      The festival attracts talent from afar while also drawing people back home. During Friday’s events at the Granada, Grammy Award-winning music executive, record producer, and songwriter Randy Spendlove performed two songs; he had previously served as president of Worldwide Music and Publishing at Paramount Pictures for over 20 years.

      He recalled starting his music journey by playing at backyard parties in a band based in Morgan Hill.

      “Some of the attendees from those keg parties are present tonight,” he remarked before debuting “To the Stars,” a song commissioned for the festival that he co-created with several collaborators.

      For more information about the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, visit their website or explore more of our festival coverage.