Our Vision
We believe in the transformative power of film.
The Watsonville Film Festival highlights Latinx filmmakers and stories that illuminate our shared humanity and inspire positive change.
We recognize that the arts help all communities to thrive. Film, in particular, is necessary for the Latinx community to have agency over their own representation and to offer their own vision of the world. In the last 10 years, only 4.5% of movies featured Latinx characters, many of them negative stereotypes.
For 10 years we have worked to shift disempowering narratives and to nurture an ecosystem for independent filmmakers in Watsonville and our Monterey Bay region.
Our Mission
To present Latine filmmakers and stories that inspire, entertain and focus on issues relevant to the local community, and to encourage dialogue between filmmakers & audience.
To empower local youth through film as a way to transform the world.
To promote economic development through the cinematic arts in our community.
Our Story
In 2012 Watsonville-based filmmakers, educators and activists came together to present empowering narratives about our community. Since then, the Watsonville Film Festival has developed from a grassroots collective into a non-profit arts organization offering dynamic year-round programming.
Our Accomplishments
Featured hundreds of films by award-winning directors as well as local filmmakers at our annual festival and year-round programming.
Partnered with dozens of organizations, businesses & individuals to screen hundreds of independent films and filmmakers.
Hosted Oscar, Sundance, Emmy and Pulitzer award winning filmmakers, who have shared their ideas & visions with our audiences.
Offered year-round multi-media programs at accessible prices: youth always free, no one turned away for lack of funds.
Presented the Día de Muertos Celebration at the Watsonville Plaza starting in 2018. This free outdoor family event featuring live dance and music performances, community altars, hands-on activities, and the movie Coco.
Worked closely with Digital NEST, our sister organization, to present video production classes and master classes for youth.
In 2020, during the pandemic, we pivoted to virtual programming, including a free, five-day Virtual Día de los Muertos celebration, offering films, arts & crafts tutorials, and special live program. We reached 10,000 viewers. We plan to resume outdoor programming at the Plaza in the fall.
We award a $500 youth scholarship each year to a burgeoning young filmmaker.
In 2021 we offered 20 films at the 9th Annual WFF for free via our new Virtual Cinema. This new platform allowed us to present a high-quality experience to an expanded audience for nine days in March. We inaugaurated our first Día del Niño film showcase in April. We also returned in-person to the Watsonville Plaza for Celebrando La Cultura, featuring a performance by Los Cenzontles, as well as our annual community Día de Muertos celebration.