KING CITY — The Pinnacles Film Festival will bring independent films to King City Cinemas on Saturday, Oct. 10, with 37 short films scheduled throughout the day.
The inaugural festival is being presented by Sol Treasures Arts and Cultural Center and the Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) as a new arts event for South Monterey County. The festival’s theme is “Stories on the Edge,” with films highlighting independent filmmakers and stories from the region.
An opening ceremony is scheduled for 9:15 a.m., with films screening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by an after-party celebration.
“This event truly highlights the power of our local arts ecosystem,” said Jacquie Atchison, executive director at Arts4MC. “We have one incredible full-circle story of a filmmaker who utilized an Arts4MC grant to fund their project and then brought it to life through classes and support from Sol Treasures. To make it even more special, one of the actresses in this very film was a recipient of an Arts4MC higher education scholarship to study a creative field, and now we get to see her acting on the big screen. The festival is a celebration of these kinds of journeys, giving a much deserved platform to all of our independent storytellers.”
Among the films being shown will be an 18-minute film produced in 1981 by Union Carbide as a recruitment tool for people considering work at its California facility. The film features scenes of King City and surrounding communities and will be presented with the assistance of the King City History Center.
The historic film features a young Vicki Brinan of San Ardo as narrator, along with local business owners, city staff and residents. Those featured include Vonna Guidici, Fred Nichols, Becky Tully, Ed Morga, Shirley Casey, Bill LaPlante, Duane Hyde, Nan Bullard, Bob and Helen Kronkyte, Terry Davis and members of the Stage Hands theater group.
The film also includes scenes of Basic Vegetables, Clark Trucking, Mee Memorial Hospital, the police and fire departments, local churches and Mesa Del Rey Airport.
It will be screened during the 10:45 a.m. segment of the festival along with other independent films related to the Salinas Valley. A question-and-answer session hosted by local historians John and Karen Jernigan will follow before the segment ends at noon.
“Our mission has always been to awaken creativity and unite our community through the arts. Bringing this film festival to South County provides a unique and powerful way to connect people of all ages to the passion and purpose of our independent filmmakers,” said Jude Yriarte, executive director at Sol Treasures.
The Pinnacles Film Festival will be held at King City Cinemas, 200 Broadway St. in King City. More information and tickets are available at soltreasures.com/thepinnaclesfilmfestival or at Sol Treasures, 519 Broadway St., Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m.
