Where Innovation, Inclusion, and Imagination Converge in the Digital Arts
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, JDS Creative Academy in Temecula, California is boldly charting a path where creativity meets technology, and inclusion fuels innovation. At the heart of this mission lies DigiFest® - a one-of-a-kind festival celebrating all things digital media, from short film & video to podcasts, music, animation, photography, coding, VR, and AI-enhanced content creation.
“DigiFest®is the first of its kind that speaks to all the digital mediums,” said Diane Strand, Executive Director and Co-Founder of JDS Creative Academy. “You have Podfest and VidCon and all traditional film festivals—but they are very myopic. DigiFest® is broad, inclusive, and welcoming.”
A Digital Arts Festival Built on Inclusion
DigiFest® isn’t just about showing what’s possible in digital media—it’s about who gets to participate.
“The arts are accepting to everybody,” Strand explained. “They teach culture, they teach about differences, and then put everyone in a like-minded state. We provide a safe place that builds community.”
That sense of belonging fuels JDS Creative Academy’s commitment to cultivating a platform where diverse content creators—from coders and filmmakers to podcasters and gamers to music producers and animators—can connect, collaborate, and showcase their work.
“Just because you may be a computer programmer doesn’t mean you’re not creative. DigiFest® embraces all digital creators—whether your content lives on the big screen, YouTube, in a VR headset, on social media or as a radio/podcast drama.” DigiFest® is for you.
Leveraging Emerging Technology to Empower Creators
Strand and the team at JDS Studio are also harnessing the power of emerging technologies—including AI—to support creators and enhance audience experience.
“We’re using a lot of AI to help with messaging, content creation for social media, and even headshots.” More than just tools, these technologies are becoming integral to the curriculum, equipping students and professionals with future-ready skills.
Our Arts Across America initiative is another way the academy is blending digital and physical spaces. “You don’t have to be local to Temecula to be part of a creative content community. Arts Across America brings DigiFest® to audiences far beyond our backyard.”
Funding the Future of Digital Creativity
When asked about monetization, Strand emphasized that sustainable growth is already being built into the festival’s model. “We have submitters, attendees, sponsors—some of whom contribute dollars, others who offer in-kind support—and we have speakers who want to be seen on the stage.” DigiFest® is the ultimate meeting place for digital dreamers and doers.
Looking ahead, the DigiFest® team is exploring enhancements to the VIP experience to deliver an even greater value for both sponsors and audiences.
Ready for What's Next
“We are forever learners,” Strand said. “Our leadership team is always improving our tech skills, leaning into AI, and blending in-person and online engagement through initiatives like Arts Across America.”
And the festival continues to evolve. In the past three years, DigiFest® has expanded to include categories for scriptwriting and acting, while also dipping into virtual reality and gaming—with plans to grow even further as these mediums take center stage in the digital world.
At its core, DigiFest® isn’t just a festival. It’s part of the Arts Across America movement. A space where digital artists, techies, and dreamers of all creative backgrounds come together to build the future in media—one pixel, one story, one community at a time.
JDS Creative Academy
JDS Creative Academy (JDSCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Temecula, California, co-founded by Diane and Scott Strand to advance education, workforce development, and community enrichment through the visual, performing, and digital arts. Their shared vision is rooted in making professional arts training accessible to everyone — from underserved youth and aspiring creatives to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
JDSCA offers hands-on, real-world training in video production, acting, screenwriting, and more, with a strong emphasis on employability and confidence-building. As the creators of DigiFest® Temecula and the national initiative Arts Across America, Diane and Scott continue to expand their mission to provide inclusive, opportunity-driven pathways for creative growth and industry success.
JDSCA is home to a California State-recognized Title 17 video production training program that transitions participants into paid internships and career possibilities, setting a model for accessible, inclusive, and industry-relevant education.