First Pinnacles Film Festival Draws About 300 to King City, Organizers Look Ahead

KING CITY, Calif. — King City’s inaugural Pinnacles Film Festival drew approximately 300 attendees to local cinema screenings earlier this month, giving filmmakers and audiences in southern Monterey County a new cultural gathering place.

Held October 10 at King City Cinemas, the festival presented 37 films across nine screening blocks under the theme Stories on the Edge. Organizers reported about 250 ticket holders, with filmmakers and volunteers bringing overall attendance close to 300, according to an October 29 report in the Salinas Valley Tribune.

Local film talent on the screen

Sol Treasures Arts and Cultural Center and the Arts Council for Monterey County partnered to present the festival. The program featured independent films, student work, documentaries and animation, along with opportunities for audiences to meet filmmakers.

Among the recognized projects was Loving Melody, created in King City by students through a Sol Treasures class. Kenny Santana received the festival’s Best First Time Filmmaker award for the film. Organizers announced awards in 13 categories on October 22.

Organizers say another festival is being planned

Festival leaders said they were encouraged by the turnout and discussions among artists and viewers. Feedback included interest in additional screenings and a longer festival, since not every attendee was able to see every film.

A future festival is being planned, but organizers had not announced a confirmed date as of the October 29 report. Residents should check the organizers’ websites before making plans for another edition.

Why this matters for South Monterey County

A film festival in King City gives local young creators an opportunity to exhibit work without traveling to major regional arts centers. It also encourages visitors to spend time in the city’s downtown businesses while recognizing storytelling rooted in the Salinas Valley.

For official organizer information visit Sol Treasures’ festival page and the Arts Council for Monterey County.

Illustrative image: Augusto Oazi / Unsplash. This is not a photograph of King City Cinemas or the Pinnacles Film Festival.

Sources: Salinas Valley Tribune, October 29, 2026; Sol Treasures.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER NEEDS YOU

Help this community newspaper grow

Your support helps build coverage for the people and places this local newspaper serves.

Donate once by card ↗

Help King City News grow Help strengthen reporting on King City: community voices, important decisions and local life.

Support King City News

Choose how to support King City News:

Credit / Debit Card via Stripe

Choose an amount from $1. One-time support through the publisher's LINKERNO Stripe account.

Continue with PayPal Continue with Zelle

Zelle payments go to Vitaly Ataev Troshin. Please verify the recipient in your bank before sending. Availability depends on your bank.

Optional reader support. When possible, add “King City News” to the payment note. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible. Support does not influence editorial decisions.

Optional support through the publisher. Contributions are not advertised as tax-deductible and never buy editorial influence.

King City News — Your Community Newspaper

Have a correction, news tip, local announcement, or story to submit? Contact our editorial team. All submissions are reviewed before publication.