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Welcome to the City of Rancho Cordova's news page. Read current and archived news, and access media contacts and press announcements.

California Capital International Documentary Film Festival Brings a Weekend of Storytelling to Rancho Cordova

And You Can Still Watch from Home!

Post Date:03/10/2025 9:39 PM

This past weekend, Rancho Cordova was alive with powerful storytelling as the 3rd Annual California Capital International Documentary Film Festival brought together filmmakers, film enthusiasts, and community members for a celebration of documentary filmmaking. From March 7-9, 2025, attendees had the opportunity to experience 42 outstanding films from 12 countries, each offering unique perspectives on global and local issues.

The festival kicked off with an Opening Night Reception at Rancho Cordova City Hall, where filmmakers, elected officials, and documentary lovers gathered to celebrate the art of storytelling. City leaders, including members of the Rancho Cordova City Council, joined festival organizers and filmmakers to recognize the impact of documentary films in sparking conversation, broadening perspectives, and building community. The reception set the stage for a weekend filled with thought-provoking screenings and engaging discussions.

Throughout the weekend, festivalgoers were captivated by a diverse lineup of films, including:

• ¿Are We There Yet? (USA) – A compassionate and insightful look at contemporary migration, winner of the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival.

• The Accidental Spy (USA) – A real-life espionage thriller about a former Manhattan prisoner recruited by the CIA, which won top honors at the Montreal Independent Film Festival and the Seoul Whistler Film Festival.

• Made in Ethiopia (China) – A compelling feature that explores globalization’s impact on Ethiopia’s evolving economy.

• Local Highlights: Food for Thought showcased the work of the Rancho Cordova Food Locker in fighting food insecurity, while Symphony Serenade provided a behind-the-scenes look at Symphony d’Oro Rancho Cordova and their original performance inspired by the city.

Missed the Festival? You Can Still Watch from Home!

Even if you couldn’t attend in person, you can still experience the festival from the comfort of your home. Virtual passes are available for $30, giving you access to all 42 films online from March 10-24, 2025.

To purchase a virtual pass and watch these incredible documentaries, visit www.calcapdocfest.org.

Rancho Cordova is proud to support this growing festival through its Community Enhancement & Investment Fund, helping to bring world-class storytelling to our community. Whether in person or online, the festival continues to offer a powerful way to connect through the art of documentary filmmaking.

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Press Announcements

Media Contacts

Maria Chacon Kniestedt
Communications & Public Affairs Director
916.851.8791
916.200.6181 (cell)
mkniestedt@cityofranchocordova.org

Samantha Mott
Senior Communications Officer
916.851.8796
916.579.0671 (Cell)
smott@cityofranchocordova.org

Danielle Hale
Communications Officer
916.851.8792
916.809.0465 (cell)
dhale@cityofranchocordova.org

Lauren Burke
Communications Officer
916.851.8723
916.247.2587 (Cell)
lburke@cityofranchocordova.org

City of Rancho Cordova Opens $8.4M Youth Center

On November 3, 2022, the City of Rancho Cordova opened the Rancho Cordova Youth Center, the first youth center in the community. The Youth Center will provide a welcoming, central and safe environment for year-round youth programs, build relationships with local youth, and show local youth how much the community cares about their success and future in Rancho Cordova.

City of Rancho Cordova Breaks Ground on Citywide, Ultra-High-Speed Gigabit Broadband Network

On February 28, 2022, the City of Rancho Cordova, SiFi Networks and GigabitNow announced the launch of Rancho Cordova FiberCity®, a revolutionary infrastructure project to bring a fast, affordable, and reliable all-fiber internet network to every home, business, and institution in Rancho Cordova.

For more information, please contact Danielle Hale at 916.809.0465 or dhale@cityofranchocordova.org.

Mather Veterans Village Dedication Event

On October 12, 2021, Mercy Housing California, Nation’s Finest, the City of Rancho Cordova and the County of Sacramento celebrated the completion of all three phases of Mather Veterans Village, the first permanent supportive housing development for homeless and disabled veterans in the Sacramento region.

These documents are password protected. Please contact Danielle Hale at 916.809.0465 for access.

Crime Drops in Rancho Cordova by 61%

The City of Rancho Cordova is proud to announce that violent crime and property crime combined has decreased by 61% from 2004-2019 when adjusted for population. Since the city incorporated and established the Rancho Cordova Police Department 18 years ago, the city has implemented creative and proactive policing programs that have led to this significant drop.

Media Advisory about Crime Drop in Rancho Cordova
Fact Sheet on Programs
Speaker Bios from Crime Drop Announcement
B-Roll, Photos and Crime Statistics (This is password protected. Please contact Ashley Downton at 916.542.3875 for access.)
News Release: Crime Drops in Rancho Cordova by 61%

Rancho Cordova Breaks Ground on Rio Del Oro Development

Elliott Homes, Inc. and the City of Rancho Cordova are breaking ground on Rio Del Oro, the largest development in the city’s history. Rio Del Oro spans 3,800 acres in Rancho Cordova and could fit Downtown Sacramento in its footprint. The development will feature thousands of new homes, over 7.6 million square feet of commercial, professional and industrial space, one of the largest parks in the region at 130 acres, and the city’s next high school.

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