different from us but here you’re going into their world,
seeing things the way they want you to. I think film can
change the way we see each other and treat each other,”
Scariot said.
Several of the films she’s particularly excited about this
year include “One Night in Turan,” directed by Farhad
Najafi, of Iran.
This film centers around a woman who has been abused
by a wealthy and powerful man, and now she’s seeking
revenge. The bulk of the film takes place in a taxi on her
way to a party. “As a filmmaker I’m blown away by the
cinematography, editing, acting, composition of the camera,
and the color,” Scariot said. “The dialogue is amazing. This
actress holds you captive.”
Another exciting film, “Colors Run,” comes from one of
the youngest filmmakers, Olivia Carter, who is just sixteen
years old. This story centers on a friendship between a
man and a girl who meet in a Laundromat. “She drives him
crazy and he’s not a happy guy. It’s about how they build a
relationship every week. It’s pretty amazing.”
Worldwide Appeal
Proud of the festival’s ability to attract filmmakers from all
around the world, Scariot was thrilled to receive submis-
sions of 460 films from 50 different countries. After a tough
triage process, the festival will show approximately 120 films
from 40 countries. They will also highlight films from two
specific countries—Mexico and China—since filmmakers
from both cultures face a significant lack of representation
in the industry, she said. Each country will get a dedicated
day showing films, followed by a panel discussion including
dignitaries and filmmakers on what’s happening in film
industry there, and an awards ceremony and celebration.
Scariot loves the moment when someone attends the
film festival for the first time and comes away pleasantly
surprised. “These films are so well made. I had somebody
come up to me recently and say ‘I didn’t realize these films
66
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
would be so good.’ They don’t know that these are some of
the best filmmakers in the world.”
Scariot’s confidence and vision has paid off. In 2019,
more than 3,000 people attended the film festival and she
anticipates even more in 2020.
In addition, Scariot is utilizing the talent of the film fes-
tival to partner with other arts organizations. First, they’ll
mentor the John Steinbeck Center in Hollister, which is
hosting a comic-con and wants to add a film festival to it.
Second, they’ll be working with the Scottsdale Museum
of Culture and Art (SMOCA) in Arizona. “Women in the
art world are only represented 15 percent in museums.
So SMOCA will focus on women artists for a year. We’re
hoping to show a group of films directed by women
down there.”
And lastly, in each of the four cities where the festival’s
films are showing—Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Hollister and San
Juan Bautista—they are partnering with the local libraries
to offer two series of film classes that will teach participants
to write, edit and direct short films. For youth ages 4 to
14, these will take place the last three Saturdays of January.
Three adult classes, (40-plus) will have roving locations, to
be announced.
While the film festival is beginning to grow and attract
the notice of film enthusiasts around the country and
even around the world, Scariot wants it known that the
festival is entirely volunteer run and it always can use
more volunteers. This year she’s hoping for as many as 100
people to come and devote a few hours of their time during
the week of the festival, April 1 through 8, 2020.
As Scariot reflected on the growth of the festival under
her leadership, she said,
“When Bill asked me to do this I felt like this is what
I’m meant to do. I love it. I feel like everything I’ve learned
my whole life has led to this moment and I’m using all my
experiences for this.”
For more information, visit: www.pjiff.org
WINTER 2020
gmhtoday.com
Mattie with Dan Nelson (film
producer) and Penelope Spheeris
(Director of Wayne's World) cel-
ebrating at the FestForums.
PJIFF won the "Best Fest”
award n 2019.