Recap of Cinequest Opening Night

San Jose, CA -- Opening night for the Cinequest Film Festival was quite amazing. People were on the red carpet in front of the California Theater and the photographers were shooting like crazy. As we entered the theater we were entertained by a talented organ player. I was stuck that the festival had an organ player performing for a film, since an organist usually accompanies ballots, operas, and stage theater.  Once he finished, the show started, and the roughly 500 guests were seated for the start of the show. 

It opened with a greeting followed by trailers, introductions to the festival, presentations by body art and yoga studios, sponsor commercials and finally, the film. The film festival opened with the simply fantastic film,  "Ginger and Rosa," a story of two friends and the fear of the bomb. The film does not have a happy ending. Nonetheless, it was a great film. When it ended my partner and I headed over to the after party held at the Corinthian Event Center, where directors and actors mingled with guests. Overall the opening night was nice, I can`t wait to cover the closing night and everything in between.

photography by: Daniel Valencia