More than 40 filmmakers had planned to attend, many from other countries


By Marty Cheek

The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival board canceled this year’s event due to concerns about public health safety and to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The festival board held an emergency meeting Thursday March 12 and made the unanimous decision after much discussion, said festival director Mattie Scariot.

“Everyone thought it was the best thing to do for the safety of the public,” she said. “We felt like we needed to respond to the fears that our community had. We didn’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable or put anyone into any unnecessary risk. We’re just thinking about our community right now and the unknown of what is going to happen and just listen to what the CDC has to say.”

The annual festival would have been a weeklong celebration of independent filmmaking with showings of blocks of films and panel discussions in Gilroy, Hollister, San Juan Bautista and Morgan Hill.

More than 40 filmmakers had planned to attend, many from other countries. The festival jurors had made a selection of 205 films, with special days devoted to showing Chinese and Mexican films.

Festival organizers will also focus more on building up the Poppy Jasper International Film Institute which is an arm off the nonprofit Poppy Jasper Inc. There will be educational panels as well as classes and a film club to help people appreciate the art and craft of cinema.

The South Valley-based film festival started in Morgan Hill nearly 20 years ago and has grown into a regional arts and cultural experience bringing independent filmmakers from all over the world to show their works.

The board had discussed doing the festival in August but the logistics were too complicated.

“We do have some incredible blocks of films that we can do special screenings and special panel discussions. We’re just kind of spreading it out and focusing on the 2021 Poppy Jasper,” Scariot said. “For me personally, (this year’s cancellation) has been pretty devastating and I feel heart-broken, but I know it’s also the right decision. A lot of other film festivals are doing the same thing. Our festival is just too big  to move to August, six months out.”

For more information about the festival’s upcoming events or to donate, please visit PJIFF.org.

Marty Cheek