The 6th Yucca Valley Film Festival
Brings World-Class Talents to the Desert, Nov 8-10, 2024
“An amazing combination of community, films, and art in the beautiful desert.” Jake Myers won the Best Director Award last year at the Yucca Valley Film Festival (YVFF) with his horror, Sci-Fi-adjacent short film, Kombucha!. He was one of the 127 artists attending the 3-day event in Yucca Valley in 2023.
“We had a record attendance last year. We are so happy that the Yucca Valley Film Festival became a staple of the Hi-Desert,” says festival director Matt Beurois.
For its 6th edition (November 8 through 10), the international film festival is bringing back all the fan favorites: the Kids Program with world-class animated short films (Saturday, 1 pm), the Red Carpet for every festival-goer (Friday and Saturday 5:30 pm, Sunday 5 pm), the Script Writers and Composers Roundtable (Sunday 1:30 pm), and screenings every day (Friday 6:45 pm, Saturday 9:30 am, 1 pm, 6:30 pm, Sunday 2:45 pm).
“This year, we are mixing the films. Whenever you come, you’ll have the chance to watch short films, documentaries, music videos, animation. For example, if you only attend Saturday night, we want you to get a rich experience in more than one type of film,” explained Beurois.
Following Rosanna Arquette in 2023, the guest for this year’s Masterclass is two-time Emmy award winner and A-List director, Shane Stanley. Stanley’s most recent film, Night Train, ranked #1 on Hulu, and his previous effort Double Threat was a #1 movie on Netflix in 16 countries.
Shane is a real independent filmmaker who has a lot to share. He is the perfect guest for our Masterclass and picture signing. He is also a local director and filmed several of his movies in Joshua Tree, as well as the hi and low desert. Stanley’s Masterclass is Saturday, Nov 9 at 2:30 pm, and it will be immediately followed by a Town Hall to discuss, “The Current State of Hollywood.”
Photo provided by Yucca Valley Film Festival
Both photos provided by Yucca Valley Film Festival
YVFF awarded director, Brent Huff (The Rookie), and producer Shawn Huff will come back to Yucca Valley to discuss with Stanley and other guests about the challenges the movie business is facing.
“The Yucca Valley Film Fest is really becoming an important event,” shares Beurois. “The event and the Town are now on the radar of many filmmakers. Having received William Baldwin, Rosanna Arquette, and now Shane Stanley, we are really stepping up as a film festival that is meaningful, and impactful for its participants, and really fun for the community and attendees.”
The Festival was recognized in 2024 by the US Congress, the California Senate, the County of San Bernardino, and the Basin Wide Foundation for its cultural contribution. It has also ranked five times in the top 1% of the Best Reviewed Film Festivals Worldwide by the platform FilmFreeway.
Photo by: Sandra Goodin
Another sign of the success of the event, a handful of filmmakers are returning to the Morongo Basin with a new film. “I’ve now gone to YVFF twice, and I have to say, I just really love it. There’s something magical about the whole experience and they offer a whole ton for filmmakers to enjoy and learn while there,” shares Josh Rose, a filmmaker and photographer based in Los Angeles.
“Every filmmaker and scriptwriter gets the VIP treatment,” says YVFF awarded director Paul Hollingsworth. Local filmmaker Nicholas Luciano, who holds the record for the filmmaker who attended the festival the most, seconds that by sharing, “The fest showcased talent within the indie filmmaking community, and the festival organizers Matt and Auregan, along with all of the staff and volunteers, do a fantastic job creating a welcoming environment.”
The local community plays a key part in the success of the signature event of the Town of Yucca Valley. The Meet and Greets this year will feature the Supernova All Stars Cheers of Yucca Valley (Friday 6 pm), Captain Warrick, the Morongo Sheriff’s Office and the new K-9 Unit (Saturday 5:30 pm), and Miss Yucca Valley Court (Sunday morning).
Photo provided by Yucca Valley Film Festival
On top of the Town Hall, two other new events are added this year: A “Rapid Fire Pitch Practice” will allow filmmakers to pitch their new film idea to community members in only 2 minutes, and after the Annual Awards, the festival will conclude with a cocktail.
“For the Pitch Practice, every participating filmmaker will be paired with a community member or a festival attendee. They will have 60 seconds to pitch their new idea, and another 60 seconds to get feedback. Then filmmakers switch places and meet with a new person. At the end of the session, filmmakers will have tested their new film idea on dozens of people!” explains Beurois.
Anyone who wants to participate in the Pitch Practice event can send an email to yuccavalleyfilmfestival@gmail.com. Participants are then invited to stay for the final Red Carpet and the closing cocktail (free).
Full program details can be found on yuccavalleyfilmfestival.com.
The Festival is free to attend, and there’s complimentary popcorn every night. It takes place at the Community Center in Yucca Valley, 57090 Twentynine Palms Highway.
