BraveMaker Film Festival
The BraveMaker Film Festival is an annual film festival founded by Tony Gapastione in 2018, with its first run in 2019. Gapastione has continued to run the festival since its inception.
The festival is held in Redwood City, California[1] and has a consistent focus on justice, diversity, and inclusion.[2] The festival features a wide range of films, including documentaries, narratives, and shorts, and also offers panels, workshops, and networking events with industry professionals. Each screening is followed by an in-person panel discussion.[3] All films shown during the festival have open captions.[4]
Bravemaker is a 501(c)(3) organization and has served to receive donations to assist filmmakers.[5]
The exact dates of the festival have varied over the years, ranging from late May to mid-July. In 2026 the festival ran from July 8th to 12th.
Notable films shown and appearances
- 2019, California's Forgotten Children
- 2024, Friendly Signs with an appearance by Rahsaan Thomas[6]
- 2025, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore with appearances by Marlee Matlin and the film's director Shoshannah Stern[4]
- 2025, The Peanut Butter Falcon with an appearance by Zack Gottsagen
- 2025, Ken Whittingham hosted a directorial workshop[4]
References
- ↑ Kane, Karla (2019-05-29). "Inaugural BraveMaker Film Festival comes to Redwood City May 31-June 2". Palo Alto Online. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Gormley, Grace (2025-07-03). "BraveMaker festival in Redwood City highlights local films, 'brave' stories". Almanac News. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Worthington, Leah (2022-07-06). "Four-day film festival champions 'brave' stories that elevate new or overlooked voices". RWCPulse. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - 1 2 3 Grimball, Garth (2025-06-27). "Inside Bravemaker's Seventh Film Festival". Nob Hill Gazette. Retrieved 2026-02-26.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ McGovern, Janet (2021-01-07). "Menlo Park filmmaker focuses on the plight of pregnant homeless woman". InMenlo. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
- ↑ "Film Fest 2024". bravemaker2024filmfest.eventive.org. Retrieved 2025-04-19.