By Brittney Sherman
The Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, named one of Movie Maker Magazine’s “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World,” returns to South Valley next week with a surge of locally produced films. Festival Director Mattie Scariot says submissions from nearby creators reached new heights, forcing organizers to make tough calls on which to include. Morgan Hill will showcase Northern California entries while Gilroy features Southern California films, with networking events bringing filmmakers together. Among the standout local works is “The Chihuahua Shake,” an animated musical from Morgan Hill-raised Chase Olivera, inspired by the late Ellie Van Dyke of The Music Tree.