CINEQUEST San Jose
California Premiere
After the snowy streets of Montana and the community warmth of Prince Rupert, Saints and Warriors touched down in a whole new world: sunny San Jose for the California premiere at Cinequest. The vibe was completely different—less parka, more velvet rope. Think red carpets, gala lights, and festival volunteers in matching lanyards moving like a perfectly choreographed ballet. It was a beautiful kind of chaos.
Words From The Director
Cinequest brought together an incredibly diverse mix of filmmakers and stories from around the world, and I felt lucky to be among them. The screenings were held in these unique and classic theatres that couldn’t have felt more different from the cozy, intimate venues of Big Sky—and yet, something deeply familiar happened in the dark. The audience got it. They laughed in the right spots, sat in still silence during the heavier scenes, and afterward… they stayed.
At both of our screenings, I ended up spending at least thirty minutes just outside the theatre, in conversation after conversation with people who had been moved by the film. Some wanted to know more about Haida Gwaii. Others asked about sovereignty, the All Native, or what’s happened to the players since. And some just wanted to say thank you. There’s something powerful about realizing a story this rooted in place—this specifically Haida—can still resonate so widely.
I also met a ton of brilliant filmmakers. We swapped stories, cheered each other on, and celebrated being part of something bigger than just one project. Cinequest had this strange and wonderful balance—glamour on the surface, but real heart underneath. And through it all, Saints and Warriors continued to make its mark.
California, you showed up with style—and heart. Thank you for making our California premiere one to remember.