Poppy Jasper International Film Festival

Director – L. Mattock Scariot

Mattie’s professional life is devoted to creating film and television productions. Her community spirit supporting the South and San Benito Counties’ art scene has had an impact on both Counties.  She became Director of PJIFF in 2018 and grew the festival to an 8-day regional festival including Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista.   PJIFF is a mission-driven all-volunteer non-profit, focusing on diverse, inclusive, and women empowering films, including 7 educational programs. PJIFF pivoted during the pandemic partnering with businesses and restaurants for outdoor movie nights including a partnership with MyJamFest in Sacramento at the Esquire IMAX Theater. 

PJIFF President and Chair of Mexico Day – Maria Cid

Maria Cid is the President of the Board, the Chair of PJIFF’s Mexico Day, a first-generation Mexican-American and the owner of Maria Cid Agency-Farmers Insurance in Gilroy.  She brings to PJIFF her skills as a businesswoman, her fundraising and event planning skills, and her deep commitment to a wide variety of community events and causes.

Events and VIP Chair – Edward Lujan

Edward was born and raised in “The Garlic Capital of the World”, Gilroy, California. He and his large extended family has been deeply rooted within the small community of Gilroy for over a  hundred years. He is proud to serve his community from Morgan Hill to Hollister as a Realtor. He also serves on a few other local non-profit boards.

PJIFF Vice President and Operations Manager – Katie Khera

Katie Khera is the Board Vice-President of PJI and Festival Operations Manager. A musician turned project manager working in tech for the past 20 years, she is grateful for the opportunity to indulge her love of the arts by contributing to PJIFF. A passionate advocate for social justice, Katie appreciates our mission’s focus on highlighting voices of under-represented filmmakers.  

International Relations and Jury Chair – Marilyn Pifer

Marilyn Pifer is the PJIFF International Relations and the Chair of the Festival Jury.  Retired from a career in international science cooperation and a devoted participant in local community theatre, Marilyn appreciates both the technical and performance aspects of film and particularly enjoys the international character of PJIFF.

Hospitality Chair – Poonam Chabra

Poonam Chabra was delighted to join the Board of PJIFF as the Gala and Awards Ceremony Chair in 2018, extending her duties as a Morgan Hill Library, Culture and Arts Commissioner and bring her event management experience to the PJIFF Gala.  Morgan Hill is a culturally diverse community and Poonam is excited to help PJIFF put our city on the worldwide map!

Inclusion and Women’s Panel Chair – Kulvinder Arora

As the Chair of Inclusion, Kulvinder “Kay” Arora concentrates on PJIFF’s mission to help underrepresented groups find their voices through film.  She created and led See it to Be It, a PJIFF filmmaking educational program for high school girls and moderates the Festival’s Women in Film Panel.

China Day – Shanshan Whittall

Shanshan is the Chair of China Day for PJIFF. She has been working with Chinese independent filmmakers and producers for several years now to help them break into international markets beyond the borders of China. Simultaneously, she has helped foreign filmmakers gain entree into the Chinese film market. She is honored to work on each new film project, and enjoys helping filmmakers gain exposure to international audiences.

Mexico Day, Assistant Chair – Azucena Suzy Ochoa

Azucena Rodriguez is an active member of the PJI Board, working especially with VIP events and those highlighting Mexican culture, and is committed to serving our community. She is the president of Infinity Staffing Services, which is a proud sponsor of PJIFF and other groups, including sports and clubs at San Benito High School in Hollister.

Box Office Chair – Lori Foster

Lori Foster joined the PJI Board in 2016, drawn by the love of Film and Theatre. She has served as its Secretary and formerly as Treasurer. Lori has also been involved with community theatre in Morgan Hill for the past 15 years.  Lori is proud of the resilience of the Board and PJIFF team during this year.

Founder – William Leaman

William W. Leaman founded the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival in 2003 to promote emerging filmmakers and the art of making films. Bill has a rich background in both television and cinema and has played many roles behind and in front of the camera, including for Warner Brothers and Disney.  As a PJI Board member, Bill leads the PJIFF Technical team.  

Technical Director – Matthew Hendrickson

Matthew Russel Hendrickson grew up in his parents’ Center Stage theater in Gilroy, and has done nearly everything in community and professional theater in the Bay Area and South County; from  props to tech to direction and production, as well as working with independent filmmakers and television. The former Technical Director for Limelight Actors Theater in Gilroy, Matthew is a key member of the PJIFF Technical team

Assistant to Director – Ashley Hadji

Ashley Hadji joined the PJIFF team in 2019 and serves as Assistant to the Director. Having lived in Morgan Hill most of her life, Ashley appreciates the diverse arts, community, and spirit of her hometown and inspires to exhibit what a gem Morgan Hill is on an international level with PJIFF while supporting and empowering filmmakers’ voices heard through film. 

AND OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Poppy Jasper, Inc. Board of Directors
President – Maria Cid
Vice President – Katie Khera
Treasurer – Marilyn Pifer
Secretary – Diane Scariot
Board Director – Lori Foster
Board Director – William Leaman
Board Director – Kulvinder Arora
Board Director – Poonam Chabra
Board Director – Edward Lujan
Board Director – Azucena Suzy Ochoa
Board Director – Shanshan Whittall
Non-Voting Member – L. Mattock Scariot