Since 2004, Poppy Jasper has produced its annual flagship event, the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival (PJIFF), which brings together filmmakers and industry professionals from throughout the United States and internationally, for a multiple day, multiple cities film festival. The purpose of the festival is to engage the community in a meaningful and rewarding experience of film and inspire local youth and adults to see themselves as tomorrow’s filmmakers and media artists.

The 2023 festival (April 12 – 19th) took place in the South Santa Clara County cities of Morgan Hill and Gilroy, and the neighboring San Benito County cities of Hollister, and San Juan Bautista. The regional impact of the festival covers over 140,000 residents.  Local community members and industry professionals have juried and accepted a combination of 260 films from 30 countries. Each year the festival features a panel of several prominent industry professionals who share their knowledge of the industry with filmmakers, offer mentoring, and encourage the next generation of creatives and filmmakers all the while bringing economic vitality to the downtowns of all our participating communities. 

PJI has created seven educational programs to serve our underserved youth and educate our local community to the film arts. These programs introduce young children to film and animation and develop storytelling and filmmaking skills for teens. PJI also offers ‘how to’ filmmaking programs for adults and documentary making programs for veterans and seniors. All films produced are shown during the film festival and strengthen the connection to the local community.  Other year-round programs celebrate a variety of artistic expression.  

In 2023, PJI plans to offer additional year-round services by expanding our partnership with The District, a historic theater in downtown Gilroy, and establishing a new collaboration with The Digital Nest, a nonprofit that teaches Latino youth digital art skills.