The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival (PJIFF) has been entertaining audiences in the greater San Francisco Bay Area for more than 15 years. We promote inclusion, diversity, and women empowerment; educate people of all ages about filmmaking; and encourage everyone to “find their voice through film.”

In 2021, like many other festivals, Poppy Jasper’s annual festival turned all-virtual. For the first time, our wide variety of films, panel discussions, and filmmaker conversations was available worldwide. We have as a result forged a stronger bond with the international filmmakers whose films made up 2/3 of the festival’s 2021 offerings. Circumstances permitting, we anticipate a hybrid festival in April of 2022.

PJIFF is based just south of Silicon Valley in the towns of Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Hollister, and San Juan Bautista. The festival’s name is drawn from a semiprecious mineral found only in this region. We look forward to once again welcoming visitors to the historic downtowns of our host communities, where local restaurants, breweries, and wineries join in making festival visitors feel right at home.

PJIFF was honored to receive “Best of the Fest” honors at the 2019 Fest Forum in Santa Barbara, and we are thrilled to be one of MovieMaker Magazine’s Top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee for 2021.

Before You Submit

Please submit your film to the category in which you would want your film to be considered for selection and “Best Of” honors.

If submitting in a Student or Local category, your film will be considered for selection for Student or Local day. Remember to include proof of student status or contact address with California zip code. If as a student or local filmmaker you prefer to be considered for selection and honors in the main festival, please submit in a genre / type specific category instead.

We are committed to inclusion and diversity, and strive to select films that honor that ethic. Half of our selected films will be from women directors. We typically have a program of shorts and a few feature-length films. English closed captioning and audio description are encouraged but not required. Foreign-language films must have English subtitles.

Learn more about our communities by visiting their websites: https://visitgilroy.com/ , https://www.visitmorganhill.org/ and http://www.discoversanbenitocounty.com/

Awards & Prizes
Poppy Jasper makes "Director's Circle" and “Jury’s Choice” awards unlinked to the genre, and chooses "Best Of Fest" awards in over a dozen categories, including:
Action
Animation
Comedy
Different Abilities
Drama
Feature Fiction
Feature Documentary
Feature Narrative
Horror
LGBTQIA
Music Video
Sci-Fi
Short Documentary
Student - Youth, High School, and College

The film completion date should be 2020, 2021, 2022

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Zheng Nate Nie

    A great experience! Communication was excellent. Mattie and all the staff members were super helpful. My lead actor and I could feel how much they cared about us filmmakers. Kudos to the entire PJIFF team!

    May 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the kudos! You both helped make this year's festival a memorable one! We hope to see you next year.

  • Joe Warner

    Though unable to attend in person, I was so impressed with what I saw online and on socials. This festival has a real vibe, has its heart in the right place, and just looked like a lovely event to be a part of. I was glad to have my film selected, and hope to make it out there in the future. Thanks Mattie and team PJ!

    April 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Joe! We were so thankful to have your wonderful film at our festival and we look forward to what you do next! Please come and visit us next time :)

  • Darryl Foster

    Such an incredible team and festival! Sadly I could make it across the pond this time, but my communication with Mattie Scariot was so welcoming and kind that I felt part of the festival. I can't wait to make the journey with my next film. Thank you, Poppy Jasper!

    April 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Darryl, your film was absolutely fantastic! You have an incredible talent. We look forward to your next film and hope we'll have the pleasure of hosting you here next year :)

  • It was one of the best film festival experiences in my filmmaking life.
    Even though I participated from Japan, they always had quick responses and took k care of my transportation. The director Mattie and all staffs were very friendly and had great hospitality.
    I had a lot of chances to communicate with a lot of nice filmmakers.
    There were a couple of panels and it inspired me a lot.
    (especially Starwars panel was awesome.)
    The festival took place in 5 towns, including in awesome lanch.

    I definitely would love to come back soon with my next film.

    April 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Dear Takafumi, thank you so much for attending, you helped make this festival so much fun and our communities were thrilled to have you here. Your film was truly loved by our audience and fellow filmmakers. Your talent and creativity are truly inspiring. Thank you once again for being a part of our festival and making it a success. Best wishes, Mattie

  • Kana Hutchens

    Thank you so much for showcasing my work!!! Poppy Jasper is the best!!

    April 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Kana, we were so glad to see you come back with a new film! You have grown into an incredible filmmaker and we look forward to seeing what you do next! Best wishes, Mattie