The 7th Yucca Valley Film Festival launched in spectacular fashion, breaking attendance records and filling every seat in the house. Festival-goers, filmmakers, and community members packed the venue for a night celebrating both cinema and community spirit.

The line to enter stretched from Town Hall through the courtyard and all the way to the Community Center, where guests walked the long red carpet under the desert November sky. McGruff the Crime Dog from the Yucca Valley Police Station showed off some dance moves, while Wanda, former longtime CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, kept the red carpet running smoothly -decked out in a full western-style outfit that stole the show.

Dozens of filmmakers made their red carpet entrance alongside festival headliner James Morrison, several councilmembers, and local community leaders.

Miss Yucca Valley court welcomed guests at check-in, and Janey Hann hosted a flurry of filmmaker interviews throughout the evening. Even a few four-legged attendees joined the celebration, delighting the crowd as they trotted the red carpet!

Inside, the audience was treated to an extraordinary lineup of short films, documentaries, dance pieces, and music videos – praised by many as one of the festival’s strongest selections to date. The Supernova All Stars – Stellar Team delivered an electrifying performance blending dance and stunts to classic movie soundtracks, setting the tone for an unforgettable night.

Local director Robbi Robb got emotional as his moving documentary Will & Silence, dedicated to his late friend Bobby Furst, opened the festival. The screening brought both laughter and tears, perfectly capturing the heart of the Hi-Desert community.

Actor James Morrison kicked off the festival with inspiring opening remarks, reflecting on his mentor Robert Redford and how Sundance shaped his early career. He compared the energy of Yucca Valley Film Festival to those early days of creative collaboration and shared inspiration.

It was a night of celebration, connection, and cinematic magic—an evening that reminded everyone why the Yucca Valley Film Festival has become such a cornerstone of the community.