What will it take for Santa Cruz and the Greater Monterey Bay Area to become a consequential part of the independent filmmaking ecosystem in California? At a time when Hollywood production is down nearly 60%, filmmakers and communities across California are stepping up to imagine and innovate new models of access, sustainability, and opportunity. Join the Santa Cruz Film Festival, Watsonville Film Festival, Poppy Jasper Film Festival, #MakeItBay (The East Bay Film Collective), and HWY 17 Studios for a lively and overdue conversation about the future of film on the Central Coast. From Santa Cruz to Watsonville, San Benito to Monterey, our region has the talent, capacity, and community to evolve the next wave of indie film production — while building a coalition with the Bay Area to launch an impactful film art and jobs sector of its own. By working together across the Central Coast and the Bay Area, we can attract more productions, create jobs, and ensure our stories reach wider audiences. Featured Industry Guests include: Marc Smolowitz (Producer/Filmmaker, Outerlands; Founder, 13th Gen), Kerri Wood Einertson (Executive Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy, SAG-AFTRA NorCal Local), Sam Bempong (#MakeItBay / East Bay Film Collective), Consuelo Alba (Executive Director and Co-Founder, Watsonville Film Festival), Mattie Scariot (Director, Poppy Jasper International Film Festival), Christina Glynn (Santa Cruz County Film Commission), Ryan "RJ" Allen (Founder, HWY 17 Studios), and Paul Kmiec (Filmmaker/Executive Director of Santa Cruz Film Festival). Together, we’ll ask: How can Santa Cruz lead the way in creating a thriving indie film scene? What partnerships, policies, and community support are needed to incentivize filmmaking across the Central Coast? And how can we ensure access for diverse voices, local storytellers, and the next generation of creators? This is not just a panel—it’s an open conversation. Come with your questions, insights, and ideas. Help us shape the future of independent cinema right here on the Central Coast!