On Assignment · Film · Documentary · San Diego County

Stories That Refuse to Sit Still

Two documentaries, a red carpet, and one after-dark anniversary celebration—my first visit to the San Diego International Film Festival became a reminder that every person carries a story worth hearing.

Photos & words by Joe Gomez

Published October 21, 2026 at 8:30 PM PDT

San Diego International Film Festival banner beside the escalator and stairs leading to AMC UTC — Walking toward the theater at AMC UTC, the festival banner marked the beginning of my first San Diego International Film Festival assignment.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

With my camera bag over my shoulder and tickets in hand, I walked toward the theater not knowing exactly what my first San Diego International Film Festival would feel like. The festival was celebrating twenty-five years, but for me everything was new: the screenings, the conversations, the red carpet, and the chance to photograph people whose ideas had traveled all the way to the screen.

What I found was a week filled with stories from many walks of life. Filmmakers, participants, actors, guests, and audience members gathered around the same shared belief—that a story can connect people who may otherwise never meet. I left grateful to the San Diego International Film Festival for the welcome, and inspired by the dedication it takes to turn lived experience into cinema.

AMC and Dolby Cinema signs above the glass entrance at UTC La Jolla — The marquee above the theater entrance at AMC UTC 14 in La Jolla.

San Diego International Film Festival laurels repeated across a blue step-and-repeat wall — The festival laurels became a familiar signature across screening rooms, panels, and red carpets.

Wide panoramic view of an empty blue AMC theater before a San Diego International Film Festival screening — A quiet auditorium before the audience arrived and the screen came alive.

Black-and-white photograph of an empty director’s chair under a shaft of light — An empty director’s chair—a simple symbol for the people whose ideas begin every film.

Film one · San Diego premiere

Sum Function

For me, Sum Function was the most inspiring film of the festival. Directed by Noah Currier and Nick Cavalier, the documentary follows an all-veteran wheelchair-rugby team and the lives its members continue building on and off the court.

The film hit home because it does not reduce its subjects to obstacles. It makes room for competition, humor, frustration, friendship, purpose, and the hard work of access. Life may place enormous barriers in front of us, but the people in this film keep moving—not as symbols, but as complete human beings choosing connection and possibility. It is a must-see, and a reminder that the gift of life is found in how fully we meet it.

Festival film page ↗Official film site ↗Instagram ↗Oscar Mike on YouTube ↗

Sum Function cast, participants, and creative team gathered in front of the San Diego International Film Festival backdrop — The cast, participants, and creative team behind Sum Function gather after the screening.

Sum Function participants seated in wheelchairs during a post-screening panel conversation — The Sum Function conversation continued after the credits, with members of the team speaking directly to the audience.

Sum Function panelist wearing a black cap and glasses speaking into a microphone — A panelist reflects on the experiences behind Sum Function during the festival discussion.

Sum Function — Official Teaser video thumbnail — Sum Function — Official Teaser

Film two · World premiere

High Ground

High Ground begins with an almost unbelievable event: in 1976, an airplane carrying three tons of marijuana crashed into a frozen lake in Yosemite, and climbers retrieved the cargo. Director and writer Daniel Sharp brings climbers, rangers, investigators, and family members together to examine what happened and what the legend became.

The film is funny, surprising, and moving because memory never sits still. Onstage, climber and Yosemite historian Ken Yager helped connect the larger-than-life story to the people who lived near it. The panel felt like another chapter—not a verdict on the past, but a chance to hear how history changes as it passes from one voice to another.

Festival film page ↗Official film site ↗Instagram ↗

High Ground panelists Ken Yager and a filmmaker in an orange jacket in conversation onstage — High Ground brought living memory to the stage as the film’s history continued in conversation.

Climber and Yosemite historian Ken Yager speaking into a microphone during the High Ground panel — Climber and Yosemite historian Ken Yager speaks during the High Ground panel.

High Ground filmmaker in an orange jacket holding a microphone during the panel — A High Ground filmmaker listens during the audience conversation.

High Ground — Official Trailer video thumbnail — High Ground — Official Trailer

Between the screenings

The Red Carpet

Beyond the films and conversations, the festival carried an energy of its own. The red carpet brought together filmmakers, artists, and guests from many different walks of life—each arriving with a story, a project, or simply a shared love of cinema.

I may not have caught every name, but I was grateful to photograph a few of the people who helped make the week feel so alive. Where a name was not available, I have kept the caption honest rather than guessing.

Two High Ground participants standing together on the San Diego International Film Festival red carpet — High Ground participants together on the festival red carpet.

Two filmmakers wearing festival credentials on the San Diego International Film Festival red carpet — Filmmakers pause for a portrait between festival events.

Festival guest in a gold ensemble posing on the San Diego International Film Festival red carpet — A festival guest brings her own style to the red carpet.

Three festival guests posing together before the San Diego International Film Festival backdrop — Guests gather in front of the festival’s twenty-fifth-anniversary backdrop.

Festival guest seated cross-legged on the red carpet holding two small plants — A playful portrait turns the red carpet into a moment of calm.

Saturday night · Solana Beach

25 Years After Dark

By 8:00 p.m., the festival had moved into its after-dark chapter. I walked along Cedros Avenue toward Belly Up Tavern, camera in hand, following the light toward a venue that first opened on September 28, 1974. Inside, the room’s history was everywhere—from the framed concert posters to the giant papier-mâché shark suspended over the bar.

The official program brought PJ da DJ, filmmaker awards, and The Mustache Bash Band together for the festival’s anniversary party. What began with quiet details of the empty room became a celebration of twenty-five years of filmmakers and shared experiences. As the music filled Belly Up, it felt like the perfect ending to a day devoted to creativity—first through film, then through conversation, and finally through live performance.

Official After Dark page ↗Official event details ↗Belly Up history ↗Mustache Bash Family Band ↗

Black-and-white nighttime view along Cedros Avenue approaching Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach — At 8:00 p.m., the assignment moved to Cedros Avenue and the walk toward Belly Up Tavern.

The historic papier-mâché shark suspended above the bar inside Belly Up Tavern — Belly Up’s papier-mâché shark watched over the room—part of a venue that has been celebrating live music since 1974.

Long counter and stools beneath a wall of framed concert posters inside Belly Up Tavern — Decades of music history line the walls before the room fills.

Warm red light falling across Belly Up Tavern's framed concert-poster wall — Red light, old posters, and the atmosphere of a room built around performance.

Belly Up stage displaying Welcome: 25 Years After Dark before the San Diego International Film Festival party — The stage is set for the festival’s 25 Years After Dark celebration.

The Mustache Bash Band performing in blue stage light before the festival audience at Belly Up Tavern — The Mustache Bash Band turns the anniversary party into a live, crowded celebration.

The Mustache Bash Band performing with singers and horn section under teal stage lights — Voices, horns, and raised hands carry the night toward its finale.

Guest in a beaded halter top and satin trousers posing at the 25 Years After Dark red carpet — One more portrait from the after-dark red carpet at Belly Up Tavern.

Theater screen reading 25 years, countless stories, thank you for celebrating with us — Twenty-five years. Countless stories. A fitting final frame for a festival built on the lives people choose to share.

Final frame

Thank You for the Stories

Thank you to the San Diego International Film Festival, to the filmmakers and participants who spoke openly, and to everyone who stepped in front of my lens. My first festival reminded me that cinema is not only what appears on a screen. It is the courage to tell a story, the patience to listen, and the community that forms when both happen in the same room.