Twenty years ago, the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival started small. A local vision to bring cinema to the South Valley. Now it's something else entirely.
PJIFF 2026 is the 20th edition, and it's massive. More than 300 films from 40 countries. Five cities hosting screenings: Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Martin, Hollister, and San Juan Bautista. Over 500 filmmakers descending on the valley between April 8 and 15.
The festival's growth reflects something real happening here. The South Valley has arts infrastructure now. Venues like CURA Contemporary in Morgan Hill are equipped to host VR experiences and panel discussions with working filmmakers. The Granada Theater is a proper venue for a red carpet opening gala. Community spaces actually work as screening locations. Two decades of showing up and building relationships paid off.
What's on the Schedule
There's a Local Filmmaker Showcase celebrating South Valley talent. An LGBTQ+ Day featuring drag performances and honoring Amanda Lepore. A Women's Day that includes screenings, a farm-to-table brunch at MOHI Farm, and a panel with five female filmmakers. There's a VR experience at CURA where you can swim with dolphins using a headset, followed by filmmakers explaining how immersive cinema works.
Why It Matters Beyond Just Movies
A festival like this attracts people from outside our region. It gives local artists a platform to show their work alongside international filmmakers. It says something about who we are: people who care about storytelling, creativity, and bringing the world to our doorstep.
Even if you're not a hardcore film person, PJIFF 2026 has something. Experimental shorts. Documentaries. Feature films in Spanish, Korean, Bengali, and French with subtitles. Workshops. Late-night screenings. Daytime seminars.
The full schedule is at pjiff.org. Mark April 8-15 on your calendar.
South Valley Spotlight covers arts, events, food, and community news for Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and San Martin. Subscribe at southvalleyspotlight.com.