FILMS AND EVENTS

Set in 1950s California and based on the beloved autobiographical books by local author Francisco Jiménez, an undocumented Mexican teenager struggles to stay in school while working weekends with his family in the fields and dodging the authorities to avoid deportation.

With just 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a short film featuring a secret prop announced at the start of the competition—a skateboard—watch this series of films quickly produced by the locals who took on this fast paced challenge!

Ann (Heather Graham), a yoga teacher, struggles with her chaotic family and dismal dating life while battling her inability to say no and fix everyone's problems. Struggling to repair her estranged relationship with her sister Clio (Julia Stiles) Ann relies on her friends Roz (Andrea Savage), Max (Thomas Lennon) and Frances (Odessa Rae) to be her rock and guide her through life’s troubling decisions.

It’s no secret that art has had an influential space in skateboarding. Join us as we explore the origins of skateboarding art and the influence it has had on shaping the industry. Conversation with John Makens (Filmmaker of Art & Life: The Story of Jim Phillips), Jack Smith (Skateboard Historian - Film Producer) & Brett Jones (Nautical Bean, Skateboard Collector). Moderated by Daniel Parks

Join us for a captivating conversation and hands-on experience into the field of cinematography as we discuss the intricate relationship between lenses, camera movement, lighting styles and their profound impact on narrative storytelling. Explore the exposure triangle, and how shutter, frame rate, and aperture affect the way we develop our imagery. Delve into the way color, contrast, and lighting design are employed to communicate emotion and character. This session is designed to be a dialogue where your questions and insights are highly encouraged. Led by Director of Photography Gavin Velasquez Murray.

In honor of the 30th anniversary of Central Coast Pride, we’ll be sitting down with some of our festival filmmakers to dive into the history of queer film and discuss how the space has evolved. Join us as we discuss where we were then, where we are now and look ahead to the future of queer film. Moderated by Dusty Colyer-Worth, Executive Director; Gala Pride and Diversity Center in conversation with Fawzia Mirza and Andria Wilson Mizra (Director, Producer of Queen of My Dreams), Sav Rodgers (Director, Chasing Chasing Amy) and Jess Dunn (The Water Runs).

Pandemics, strikes, distribution, streaming platforms… There is a lot to discuss surrounding the current climate of film and filmmaking. Hear from industry professionals as they dive into a discussion on the impact the past few years have had on the industry and what to expect and look forward to in the future.

Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, TUESDAY follows a mother and her teenage daughter as they are forced to confront Death when it arrives in the form of an astonishing talking bird. From debut filmmaker Daina O. Pusić, TUESDAY is a heart-rending fairytale about the echoes of loss and finding resilience in the unexpected.

During an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter, and his television-executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.