WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Film Festival (WFF) will host a gathering at Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) tonight to celebrate the organization’s first cohort of Cine se Puede fellows.
The Cine se Puede fellowship launched last year. It offers support to local up-and-coming filmmakers through a financial stipend, mentorship, peer-to-peer support and connections to industry leaders.
Friday’s event will give the community an opportunity to meet the fellows and learn about their projects.
“We invited people to come and meet our fellows, and lend them support,” said WFF Executive Director Consuelo Alba. “They are a very talented, hardworking group.”
The event is in advance of a two-day program that WFF will hold for the fellows this weekend. The program will give the cohort the chance to meet with local and regional teachers, groups and company representatives to learn more about making films, as well as film screenings. It will also include a masterclass with an award-winning filmmaker.
“The filmmaker … he is top level, world class,” Alba said. “And they are coming here, to Watsonville, to support and mentor our fellows. It’s incredible.”
Alba said that Cine se Puede is already being recognized by people in the industry.
“Our program is getting a lot of attention,” she said. “I think that shows how there is a need. How very important it is to support independent voices in cinema, especially people of color.”
Tonight’s event will be held at PVA, 37 Sudden St., 6-9pm. It will include food and drinks for purchase, a raffle and a deejay. Entry is $10, or pay what you can. Pre-registration is available at bit.ly/3BmCQgc.
For information about Cine se Puede, visit watsonvillefilmfest.org.
