San Joaquin Film Festival 2008 | A San Joaquin Cross-Cultural Media Project

Festival Programs

The First San Joaquin Film Festival 2008 is an intense five-day global film festival of the San Joaquin region of California, and showcasing the international works of film art and cinema, with 35 events, of general screenings, forums, parties, and galas.

06/04 at 5:45PM | Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre | Pre-Show, Opening Ceremonies and Film "Nonna's Trip" | $14, $10

The 1st International San Joaquin Film Festival kicks off with the first destination: Downtown Stockton, for a night celebrating Latino Cinema. The Gala begins with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the Bob Hope Theatre at 5:45PM to inaugurate the International San Joaquin Film Festival. The excitement continues as patrons enter the theatre's grand foyer to enjoy scrumptious treats from Downtown restaurants, co-hosted by the Downtown Stockton Alliance, and pre-show entertainment featuring Ballet Folklorico Autlense and a photographic exhibition highlighting the vibrant Mexican culture by award-winning photographer Arturo Vera. At 6:45PM, Enter the historic Theatre for the Gala program, featuring the Opening Ceremonies and the screening of the first film, Sebastian Silva's Mexican-released Nonna's Trip / El Viaje de La Nonna, a narrative feature about a grandmother's last wish to visit Italy with her family, co-presented with the International Latino Film Society. KWIN's Amanda King, Mistress of Ceremony. (film will be in Spanish, with English Subtitles)

06/04 at 8:45PM | Paragary's Skyview at Hotel Stockton | "With the Stars" Party | $49

After the film, patrons are in store for a high-profiled event celebrating the San Joaquin Valley's premier cinema festival, along with the Grand Opening of the renovated rooftop terrace of the Paragary's Restaurant at Hotel Stockton, in a night of glitz, glamour, and the live jazz of the Randy Sandoli Quartet, performing a collection of Latin jazz, classics, and original compositions. Ticket includes hors d'oeuvres and two drink tickets.

06/04 at 9:10PM | Bob Hope (Fox) Theatre | Film "The Clown and the Führer" | $10, $7

The second film of the night is Eduard Cortes' The Clown and the Führer, a fascinating drama from Spain about Charlie Rivel's decision to perform for Hitler's birthday, and a planned attack that could change the history of mankind. (film will be in Catalan, with English Subtitles)

06/05 at 8:00AM | Bechtel International Center | Breakfast Forum One | Free

An interactive filmmaking forum. More information coming soon.

06/05 at 10:00AM | Pacific Theatre | Media Conversations | Free

An interactive forum with a guest filmmaker. More information coming soon.

06/05 at 1:00PM | Pacific Theatre | "Our Father's War: A Vietnam Journey" | $7, $5

Open an afternoon of captivating documentaries with this West Coast premiere by Dir. Randall Wilson. It’s been 39 years since Sergeant David Lopez left Vietnam. In the summer of 2006, he and family took a journey back to Vietnam to bury his past. This documentary will be opened with Kelly Sear's animated experimental film, "The Drift."

06/05 at 3:00PM | Pacific Theatre | "1906" | $7, $5

A Central Valley premiere by Dir. Alon Aranya: Born in 1903, Herb Hamrol survived the 1906 earthquake and fires that destroyed San Francisco. As he prepares to attend the 1906 Earthquake's 100 year commemoration, he tries to come to terms with the death of his wife of forty years.

06/05 at 5:00PM | Pacific Theatre | "A Land Between Rivers" and "Saving San Joaquin" | $7, $5

Celebrate the lush enivornment of San Joaquin Valley with the acclaimed local documentary "A Land Between Rivers," and the premiere of "Saving San Joaquin," an SJCCM Youth Video Vision project.

06/05 at 7:00PM | Pacific Theatre | Shorts Program Three | $9, $7

A global shorts collection, featuring: "Edmund" (Canada), "Speedy" (South Africa), "Tiffin" (Malaysia), "Waves" (Romania), "Home-School" (USA), "Energy!" (Germany), "Cabbie" (USA), "The Sidewalk" (USA), "Made in Japan" (Spain-Japan), "The Golden Voice (USA-Cambodia)

06/05 at 9:15PM | Pacific Theatre | Shorts Program Two | $9, $7

A global shorts collection, featuring: "This Belfast Thing" (Northern Ireland), "Nazdravicko!" (Slovakia), "Twilight of Youth" (USA), "The Sickie" (Great Britain), "He Hates to Be Second" (USA), "Partially True Tales of High Adventure" (USA)

06/05 at 7:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | Showcase: "Souvenirs" | $9, $7

Experience the Israeli Academy Award-winning documentary journey of "Souvenirs", Shahar Cohen and Halil Efrat's charming, funny and touching father/son journey in search of the "Souvenirs" the father may have left with local girls during his service in the Jewish Brigade while stationed in Amsterdam during WW II. The feature film will be opened by two shorts "Kuna Ni Nanang" and "Hem Lengths."

06/05 at 5:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | Shorts Program One | $9, $7

A global shorts collection, featuring: "Overnight, A Rose" (Taiwan), "La Tuerca" (Spain), "The Piano Lesson" (Canada), "Broadcast Cowboy" (USA), "Jungle Gym" USA, "Freefall" (USA), "Sexy Thing" (Australia), "Hem Lengths" (USA), "Kuna Ni Nanang" (USA), "The Aquarium" (USA)

06/05 at 9:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | "The House on August Street" | $9, $7

A West Coast premiere. "The House on August Street" is the untold story of my legendary aunt Beate Berger, and the "Beith Ahawah Kinderheim" (The "House of Love" Children-Home) she founded in 1922 in Berlin for Jewish Children in need. - Dir. Ayelet Bargur

06/06 at 8:00AM | Bechtel International Center | Breakfast Forum Two | Free

An interactive technology forum. More information coming soon.

06/06 at 10:00AM | Pacific Theatre | A Conversation with Filmmaker Erahm Christopher | Free

An interactive forum with the Linden-born filmmaker, Erahm Christopher, the honoree of the 2008 SJCCM Ambassador Awards. Including a special presentation of "Edmund."

(please RSVP at 209.298.0827)

06/06 at 12:30PM | Pacific Theatre |"The Farther, the Dearer" and "This Belfast Thing" | $7, $5

Explore the impact of immigration on Northern Ireland, through two works by Irish filmmaker Carol Moore, through the poignant documentary "The Farther, The Dearer" and the electrifying short "This Belfast Thing."

06/06 at 2:00PM | Pacific Theatre | Shorts Program Two | $7, $5

A global shorts collection, featuring: "This Belfast Thing" (Northern Ireland), "Nazdravicko!" (Slovakia), "Twilight of Youth" (USA), "The Sickie" (Great Britain), "He Hates to Be Second" (USA), "Partially True Tales of High Adventure" (USA)

06/06 at 6:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | "The Garage" and a Conversation with Director Carl Thibault | $9, $7

A narrative drama by Dir. Carl Thibault about a mechanic at his father's garage during the late 1970s, Matt dreams about leaving his small town existence and pursuing grander ambitions. But strong feelings for a new girlfriend and deep family ties may prevent Matt's ultimate escape, despite pressure from best friend Schultz to take off immediately. Coming-of-age story in a small town. Winner of 32 awards worldwide. Opened with a special presentation of the short film "Applications" by student filmmaker Max Strebel.

06/06 at 4:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | "Guitar Holiday" and "Hero, Wings Are Not Necessary to Fly" | $9, $7

Head down to the Miracle Mile for the West Coast Premieres of Dennis Conway's "Guitar Holiday" and Angel Loza's "Hero," two musical documentary films to inspire and entertain.

06/06 at 5:30PM | Matinée Movie Lounge |"Rain in the Mountains" | $9, $7

Ready for comedy? Catch an early screening of this narrative feature comedy by Dir. Joel Metlen about Native American Eric Smallhouse's conviction to save his people.

06/06 at 7:30PM | Matinée Movie Lounge | "The Farther, the Dearer" and "This Belfast Thing" | $9, $7

Explore the impact of immigration on Northern Ireland, through two works by Irish filmmaker Carol Moore, through the poignant documentary "The Farther, The Dearer" and the electrifying short "This Belfast Thing."

06/06 at 8:30PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | "Rain in the Mountains" with "Cabbie" and "Partially True Tales of High Adventure." | $9, $7

Spend a night of comedy with Joel Metlen's "Rain in the Mountains," along with two short films, "Partially True Tales of High Adventure" and the mockumentary "Cabbie."

06/06 at 9:00PM | Matinée Movie Lounge | Special Select Shorts Program | $9, $7

Sample a dynamic collection of select short films, featuring "Applications" (USA), "Aquarium" (USA), "The Drift" (USA), "Edmund" (Canada), "Hem Lenghts" (USA), "Hero, Wings Are Not Necessary to Fly" (Spain), "Overnight, A Rose" (Taiwan), "Twilight of Youth" (USA)

06/07 at 4:00PM | The Haggin Museum | Celebrate! Mexico Family Festival | Free

Spend the afternoon of Saturday, June 7th, at The Haggin Museum, for the "Celebrate! Mexico" Family Festival, a cultural event inspired by the Latino Cinema tribute. Experience the vibrant Mexican culture through the arts, crafts, dance, fashion, and film, featuring screenings of "La Quinceañera," (from Mexico) about Ana Maria and this important, cultural tradition.

06/07 at 2:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | Shorts Program One | $9, $7

A global shorts collection, featuring: "Overnight, A Rose" (Taiwan), "La Tuerca" (Spain), "The Piano Lesson" (Canada), "Broadcast Cowboy" (USA), "Jungle Gym" USA, "Freefall" (USA), "Sexy Thing" (Australia), "Hem Lengths" (USA), "Kuna Ni Nanang" (USA), "The Aquarium" (USA)

06/07 at 4:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | "Made in L.A." and a Conversation with Director Almudena Carracedo | $9, $7

Begin an inspiring evening with Almudena Carracedo's riveting documentary that follows the remarkable journey of three Latina immigrants working in Los Angeles's garment factories and their struggle for self-empowerment as they wage a three-year battle to bring a major clothing retailer to the negotiating table. Winner of Special Mention of the Jury at Valladolid Film Festival.

06/07 at 6:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | "Saving Luna" | $9, $7

"A life does not have to be human to be precious." Dir. Suzanne Chisholm tells the story of a lone baby killer whale gets separated from his family in a remote Vancouver Island fjord, in this poignant documentary.

06/07 at 10:30PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | Shorts Program Three | $9, $7

A global shorts collection, featuring: "Edmund" (Canada), "Speedy" (South Africa), "Tiffin" (Malaysia), "Waves" (Romania), "Home-School" (USA), "Energy!" (Germany), "Cabbie" (USA), "The Sidewalk" (USA), "Made in Japan" (Spain-Japan), "The Golden Voice (USA-Cambodia)

06/07 at 8:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | "Honeydripper " | $9, $7

Experience the beauty of John Sayle's "Honeydripper," starring award-winning actor Danny Glover, in a fabled tale about how the Honeydripper Lounge and its musicians changed the course of the history of rock 'n' roll.

06/08 at 12:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | "To Touch the Soul" and "Stage Left" | $9, $7

Begin an inspiring afternoon with Teresa Hagen's "To Touch the Soul" and Tony Garcia's "Stage Left," an SJCCM Youth Video Vision sponsored project.

06/08 at 2:00PM | Stockton Empire Theatre | "Vanaja" | $9, $7

An extraordinary narrative film by Dir. Rajnesh Domalpalli, a coming-of-age story about a young girl from a low caste whose life is shaped through dance and desire. "Vanaja" is a winner of Best Debut at the 2007 Berlin Film Festival, and 23 other awards worldwide.

06/08 at 2:00PM | Faye Spanos Concert Hall | "Rain Falls from Earth" and a Conversation with Director Steve McClure, Opened with "The Golden Voice" | $9, $7

Opening the Finale Celebrations will be the West Coast premiere of "Rain Falls from Earth." Narrated by Oscar-nominted actor Sam Waterston, this a documentary story about courage, survival, and eventual triumph over the Khmer Rouge regime, which took the lives of over 2 million people. The film's director, Steve McClure, will engage in an interactive conversation with the audience. This special presentation will be opened with the narrative short "The Golden Voice," starring Sophia Pel.

06/08 at 4:45PM | President's Room at University of the Pacific | Finale Pre-Reception | $25

Begin an evening of excellence with a pre-reception at the President's Room at University of the Pacific. Mingle with filmmakers, film lovers and the honorees of this year's festival.

06/08 at 6:30PM | Faye Spanos Concert Hall | Finale & Awards Gala and Film "Love & Dance" | $14, $10

Join us for the 2008 San Joaquin Film Festival Finale - Awards Gala, an extraordinary evening: honoring the exemplary talents of featured filmmakers of this year's inaugural, global film festival - awarding with jury-selected and audience-selected winners: and ending on a high note with "Love & Dance," an intriguing, narrative feature by Israeli filmmaker Etan Anner.

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