Alfred Hitchcock Festival in Scotts Valley celebrates iconic director

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif-(KION TV)--Did you know the "master of suspense" lived on the Central Coast for 30 years? The famous film director was celebrated on the weekend of March 14 to 16 at the third annual Alfred Hitchcock Film Festival.

Scotts Valley buzzed with cinephiles and film fans as the Alfred Hitchcock Festival kicks off Friday. Authors and filmmakers from all over the country will share their insights about the famous director's work and his life here on the Central Coast. 

Many of Hitchcock's films were inspired by local places and incidents that happened here locally. 

In this edition of "Living in the 831," we get a glimpse of his private life with one of Alfred Hitchcock's granddaughters still living in the 831!

Tere Carrubba has pictures of her and her two sisters being on the set of the 1963 horror classic "The Birds," a film people still fear and talk about today. It was produced and directed by none other than Alfred Hitchcock, Carrubba's grandfather.

Carrubba still lives on the Central Coast with her family in a beautiful ocean-view home with pictures of her famous grandparents adorning most of the walls.

She shares childhood memories and what life was like when the family lived on that 200-acre estate in Scotts Valley, a home away from Hollywood.

"He loved Scotts Valley. He loved visiting, it was his refuge."

Hitchcock's other films—like the classic thriller "Psycho" were inspired by his local surroundings. The very house from that movie was believed to be a replica of the old McCray Hotel in Santa Cruz. Hitchcock would drive past that hotel when headed to eat at Gilda's on the wharf.

Always curious, Tere says that her grandfather liked to poke fun and play with the audience.

The entire Hitchcock clan would also entertain Hollywood's biggest stars right here. Grace Kelly and Ingrid Bergman are among those high-profile names.

But, the family sold the property in 1970 after living there for 30 years.

Hitchcock died in 1980 from natural causes while at his Bel-air home. He was 80 years old but his films live on, still widely watched and studied today. 

Considered one of the most influential figures in cinema history, it's no wonder why the dream of a Hitchcock Film Festival was realized.

The festival is taking place in Scotts Valley's newest community theater near Hitchcock's former estate.

Local and global audiences alike share stories and keep the filmmaking legend alive. Now, people can enjoy his memory in Scotts Valley, the place he used to call home.

The Scotts Valley Community Theater is home to the festival and will be part of a fundraiser to keep the theater going.

Hitchcock produced and directed over 50 films.