The Pinnacles Film Festival began with a simple question: How do we make space in South Monterey County for people to tell their stories and see them on the big screen? We want local filmmakers to know they can bring their ideas to life right here at home. We aren’t trying to copy the BIG DAWG film festivals. We’re making space for our cultures and communities to recognize and see each other. But we do want what they have: the power to tell our own stories, and a place to show them.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, The Pinnacles Film Festival makes its debut. It is a partnership between Sol Treasures Arts and Cultural Center and the Arts Council for Monterey County. At King City Cinemas, we’ll show 37 films in nine blocks throughout the day. A few come from overseas, and a few have played at major festivals. Most were made by people here in our region. We’ve chosen them because each one belongs.
Among our features is “Soul Searchin’,” directed by Jesus Cruz and Alexandro Vigano. It follows collectors who seek out rare soul records and keep forgotten music alive. Along the way, they preserve recordings by Black and Chicano artists and the histories carried in those songs. It’s about music, but also about people who refuse to let part of our cultural history disappear.
We’re also showing “Omaha,” directed by Cole Webley and written by Robert Machoian. Robert grew up in King City and became a respected leader in independent film. In “Omaha,” a father takes his two children on a road trip after a family tragedy. The film premiered at Sundance and screened at festivals including Dallas, Deauville and the Hamptons. Bringing a film written by someone who grew up here back to a King City screen feels especially meaningful.
Two more films tell very different stories from our region. “Going Inside: Empathy in Action” follows a program at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, where community volunteers and incarcerated people meet for honest, facilitated conversations. In “¿Qué fue de Lalo?,” Monterey County filmmaker LiliArlen Gomez tells the story of a young Chicano man trying to be a good example for his younger brother while facing pressures close to home. We’re also showing a documentary about Pinnacles National Park, our namesake, and films by students at Hartnell College and CSU Monterey Bay.
Then there is “Loving Melody,” made by students from King City, Greenfield and Salinas. These young people learned filmmaking and made a film together. Now they get to see their work on a theater screen, with an audience. To me, that is one of the most meaningful things about starting this festival. I want our young people to know their ideas can become films, and that there is a place here where those films will be seen.
This invitation is for everyone, wherever you live. We’d especially love to see a strong showing from South Monterey County, including King City, Greenfield, Soledad, Gonzales, San Lucas, San Ardo and Bradley. We know how much talent lives here and how easily it can go unrecognized. Artists need people who will make room for their work. They also need people who will show up to see it.
Come ready to hear something you haven’t heard before. And as we open the doors on our first festival, please give us a little grace. We’ve planned carefully, but some things can only be learned by doing. If we hit a bump or two, we’ll work through it. Our communities have big, beautiful, insightful stories to tell, and they deserve a place on the screen.
Opening ceremonies begin at 9:15 a.m. on Oct. 10 at King City Cinemas, 200 Broadway St. in King City. Films screen from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Your ticket is a day pass, so you can explore films throughout the day. It includes the after-party, with music, food and a chance to meet filmmakers.
Tickets are limited, so please buy yours early. You can buy tickets at soltreasures.com, follow the ticket link on Instagram at @thepinnaclesfilmfestival, or stop by Sol Treasures at 519 Broadway in King City, Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m.
Come for the films. Stay for the conversations. Help us make room for the stories still to come.
