“Local Voices Through Community Media”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

20 March 2026

Contact: Christina Marie Jeffers, Executive Director 916-919-5965

christina@accesshumboldt.net 

Social:@AccessHumboldt

Access Humboldt and the League of Women Voters of Humboldt County hosted the second annual local Sunshine Week awards event,

discussion, and reception on March 19, 2026, at the Eureka Theater. Illuminate! 2026 emphasized the National Sunshine Week theme,

“Your Right to Know." Sunshine Week (March 15-21, 2026) highlights the media's essential role in supporting good governance and

promoting civic engagement. The need has never been more urgent.

There were three awards handed out.

Photojournalism: Mark Larson, Freelance Photojournalist. Mark Larson’s work offers an important visual record of Humboldt

County’s public life, capturing civic engagement, community events, and key moments that shape local identity. His photography often

connects with government transparency and public participation, including documenting major public demonstrations and civic

gatherings.

Investigative Journalism: Isabella Vanderheiden, Lost Coast Outpost, Humboldt County News. Isabella Vanderheiden consistently

provides impactful, accountability-focused reporting on Humboldt County government by using clear sources, direct interviews, and

detailed explanations of complex public processes. Over the past year, her work has shown how government decisions and inaction

impact housing, public safety, and environmental protections.

Young Journalist: As part of a team of reporters, Maryanne Casas-Perez, Noelle Doblado, and Griffin Mancuso were selected for their work as

students in a Cal Poly Humboldt investigative journalism class. They collaborated on "Green and Gold Washing on the Menu?" The story

examined the multi-million-dollar CPH food services contract with Chartwell's. They reviewed public records and interviewed administrative

staff, sustainability experts, community members, and students. Their story appeared in the North Coast Journal, Times Standard, Redheaded

Blackbelt, and Newsbreak.

Griffin Marcuso, who accepted the award, contributes to The Lumberjack, Cal Poly Humboldt’s student newspaper. Maryanne Casas-

Perez graduated from Cal Poly Humboldt in December 2025 and served as the editor of El Leñador, the bilingual student-run newspaper

at Cal Poly Humboldt. She is currently working at San Jose Spotlight. Noelle Doblado’s photography frequently appears in El Leñador.

Award recipient Mark Larson said, “Thank you for the unexpected honor of receiving the Ray of Sunshine award in the

photojournalism category last night at Illuminate! 2026. It was a lovely evening, and my gratitude extends to Access Humboldt, and

everyone involved for keeping public access alive and well.”

League President Julie Kelly and Access Humboldt’s Executive Director, Christina Marie Jeffers, welcomed the guests. Last year’s

Illuminate award winner, Thadeus Greenson, Press Education Specialist from the First Amendment Coalition, served as the keynote

speaker.

Access Humboldt's Board Chair, Molly Cate, shared this statement: "Thadeus Greenson’s address, emphasizing the essential role of

journalism in a democracy and the increasingly vital role community journalists play in spotlighting local events that might otherwise go

unnoticed, proved that he is as effective a speaker as he is a writer."

Access Humboldt’s Executive Director, Christina Marie Jeffers, said: “The past year has seen a decline in press freedom. Locally, our

journalists have ‘stepped to the plate’ and reported on how local, state, and national policies affect Humboldt residents. Access Humboldt

is dedicated to helping residents learn how to source information and think critically when consuming all types of media.” Access

Humboldt, a nonprofit community media center, is an innovative and trusted resource for residents of Humboldt County, California. It

plays a crucial role in our democracy by promoting transparency in government, sharing locally produced stories, and broadcasting

emergency information. The League of Women Voters of Humboldt County advocates for public participation in government as a civic

duty that ensures effective governance. The League works tirelessly to inform voters and increase voter engagement.

For more information: Access Humboldt - Illuminate 2026!

Access Humboldt is a 501c3 Community Media Center

EIN: 20-4881299

7351 Tompkins Hill Road, RBC-A (Building 10) College of

the Redwoods Campus, Eureka, CA 95501 707-443-9352

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Access Humboldt Extends BOLDtFEST Short Film Incubator Submission Deadline to January 5, 2026

Eureka, CA — [December 9th 2025] — Access Humboldt announced today that it is extending the submission deadline for its annual BOLDtFEST Script-to-Screen Short Film Incubator. Filmmakers, writers, and creators now have until January 5, 2026 to submit their short film scripts for consideration.

BOLDtFEST is a year-round filmmaking incubator designed to empower Humboldt County residents to bring original stories from script to screen. Selected projects receive access to workshops, mentorship, production support, equipment, and crew collaboration opportunities — culminating in a red-carpet premiere at the historic Eureka Theater.

“Interest in BOLDtFEST continues to grow,” said Christina Marie Jeffers of Access Humboldt. “By extending the deadline, we’re opening the door for more local storytellers to participate, refine their scripts, and take advantage of the unique resources this program provides.”

About Submissions

• New Deadline: January 5, 2026
  
  

• Eligibility: Open to Humboldt County residents of all experience levels
  
  

• Format: Short film scripts, 10 pages or fewer
  
  

• Theme: Open; creators are encouraged to submit original work
  
  

• Submission Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctQ8gwftjDfU7hqdJYxHl4kRG6NgzNT4Y8lTdLHvBJ3tlx-w/viewform
  
  

Selected scripts will be developed through Access Humboldt’s guided script-to-screen process, including dedicated workshops in screenwriting, pre-production, directing, lighting, editing, and more. Participants will collaborate with local filmmakers, actors, and crew while gaining hands-on experience in each phase of production.

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About BOLDtFEST

BOLDtFEST is Access Humboldt’s signature film incubator, supporting the creation of 10 short films annually. The program aims to cultivate community storytelling, expand regional filmmaking opportunities, and uplift new and emerging voices.

About Access Humboldt

Access Humboldt is a nonprofit community media organization providing local voices with the tools, training, and platforms to share their stories. Through media access, education, and civic engagement, Access Humboldt works to strengthen a more connected, informed, and creative community.

Media Contact

Access Humboldt

Email: info@accesshumboldt.net

Phone: 707-443-9352

Website: accesshumboldt.net

For Immediate Release

14 October 2024

Access Humboldt names Christina Marie Jeffers as new Executive Director

National search brings fresh talent to Humboldt

Access Humboldt's Board of Directors today announced that Christina Marie Jeffers will be the next Executive Director for the local broadband media access organization - a community introduction is planned at their Annual Meeting on Wednesday October 30th, 5:00pm at the Community Media Center on CR's main campus, public invited.  

https://www.accesshumboldt.net/press-releases/2024-invitation

Christina is a multiple award-winning Writer, Producer, Director and Actress who has been recognized for her work in Sacramento as a "Transformational Leader" and an "Entrepreneur to Watch." She was selected following a national search process conducted by the Board of Directors with support from The Buske Group.

Access Humboldt's Board Chair, Molly Cate shared this statement:

"We are delighted to welcome Christina Marie Jeffers to Access Humboldt. Christina's vision is clearly aligned with our mission - dedicated to freedom of expression, and committed to build local information ecosystems to meet community needs for public health and safety, education, community based economic development, culture, arts, and civic engagement.  AH Board invites our community to meet Christina and share the vision." 

[Christina - want a short quote here?]

Emeritus director Sean Taketa McLaughlin noted:  "Christina is a visionary leader who will be a natural for the next chapter of local media access in Humboldt County and adjacent tribal lands.  I particularly appreciate her work with Capitol INDIE Collective that focused on making 'Entrepreneurs out of Artists,' and her commitment to lead Access Humboldt's anti-racist community building efforts in a transparent and accountable manner."

Here is a link to Christina's bio:

Christina Marie Jeffers 

For more information, contact Access Humboldt:  info@accesshumboldt.net