Oakland International Film Festival Closing Easter Sunday Night at the Oakland Museum

April 8, 2012 - PRLog -- Oakland Film Society
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April 8, 2012               



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“Big In Oakland”-The Oakland International Film Festival 10:
“The Spook Who Sat By the Door”-the FBI Confiscated film &
“You Don’t Know Jack” Among Today’s Closing Films


Oakland, CA-Completing year ten, The multicultural Oakland International Film Festival closes Easter Sunday night at the Oakland Museum with Sam Greenlee’s “The Spook Who Sat By the Door,” which was pulled from theaters in 1973 by the FBI after three weeks of theatrical release; a profile on former Oakland resident, the late actor/comedian Jack Soo, “You Don’t Know Jack,” directed by Jeff Adachi, and “Basketball 3:16,” a redemption themed film by Ramesses Head.  

“Big in Oakland” encompassed the festivals three intertwining themes: “Made in Oakland, Black in Oakland and Healthy Economics.” David Roach, Founder and Executive Director invited city officials, filmmakers, community leaders and general public along with news media to find out about the great line up of films and panels that were held at the Oakland Museum. Friday, April 6-Sunday, April 8.

“The most rewarding aspect this year was youth involvement with projects from Skyline High School in Oakland and BAYCAT in San Francisco,” said David Roach.  “I’d like to thank all of our sponsors and volunteers, especially the those that answered the call to participate in the 1stSaturdays.com campaign by volunteering at Sanofa Elementary School and Claremont Middle School in support of the Mo’ Better Food program presented by Familyhood Connection.” Visit http://www.healthyeconomics.org for more information

Films began screening today at 12:00 noon.  Tonight’s closing films: Basketball 3:16 screens at 6:00 p.m.; “You Don’t Know Jack” screens at 6:45 p.m. tonight and “The Spook Who Sat By the Door” screens at 7:15 p.m.
 
Films from Spain: Anos Despues, Lagun Mina, La Media Pena, Coptos from Egypt, Haiti-Where Did All the Money Go, produced and directed by Michelle Mitchell” Amnesty International produced “In the Land of the Free,” “FAM BAM” (World Premiere at the De Young Museum November 2011) by 2011 de Young Fellow filmmaker Kevin Epps, “10-10 Gotta Win” by Jacquie Taliaferro, youth produced “Radioactive,” “Merritt College: Home of The Black Panthers,” narrated by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Dar He’s “The Lynching of Emmett Till,” JR Valray’s “Block Reportin 101,” “Snow,” directed by Isaac Ergas, and environmental expose, “A Darker Shade of Green” were also among the festival’s line up. Film themes included the Environment, Social Justice and Health.

The Oakland International Film Festival “is more than a pretty face” as reported at the opening news conference.  Beyond the entertainment, the education, enlightenment, contribution to commerce and branding Oakland as a point of destination, the festival provided film-goers an opportunity to make a difference with by volunteering.

The Oakland Film Market in the California Room of the Oakland Museum held Friday and Saturday 12-5:00 p.m. was a forum of networking, documentary, narrative and music videos.  Sam Styles of Supreme Pictures served as curator on Saturday.

Other special highlights included Oakland International Film Festival “Fabulous@FAZ,” hosted by renowned Bay Area chef Faz Pouroshi at his new location 1111 Broadway.  Filmmakers, patrons of the arts, friends and community leaders gathered to help kickoff the festival’s activities.  “FAZ is absolutely beautiful, the food is fantastic and the spirit of hospitality is superb,” said Jackie Brown, a supporter of the Oakland International Film Festival and owner of Jacqueline Brown and Company, a staging and design business. “It shows true community leadership by FAZ, a business in Oakland, seeing the value of the Oakland International Film Festival and its growing impact on commerce and tourism,” Brown added.

Sam Greenlee was on hand Saturday at the historic Marcus Books on Fillmore, the hotbed of philosophy, organizing, and communications during the Civil Rights era in San Francisco.  Greenlee spoke to a mix of young and old audience members about the book and film “The Spook Who Sat By the Door.”  “I tell young people the key to a good film is good writing.  You have to have a good script,” said Greenlee, who said he has history with Marcus Bookstore having had at least three book signings at the store.   “I like San Francisco,” said Greenlee.  “You should bring me back out here for the San Francisco Black Film Festival,” Greenlee commented to Kali Ray, Co-Director of the festival.  “Ok, we’ll check that out and see,” responded Ray, a supporter of the Oakland International Film Festival and son of San Francisco Black Film Festival founder the late Ave Montague.   Visit www.sfbff.org for updates as to whether Greenlee will be joining the festival held June 15-17.

Greenlee’s comments at Marcus Books will be posted on the Internet by Lance Burton of Planet Fillmore in San Francisco, who also reported on the Oakland International Film Festival news conference at the Oakland City Hall, April 5, 2012.

The Oakland International Film Festival brings positive attention to Oakland as a destination for the arts.  Oakland has a rich tapestry of artistic talent. It is a testament to Oakland’s artistry, the positive happenings and the grappling with challenges in Oakland.   Visit www.oiff.org.  Sponsors include (partial list): The Oakland Museum, AC Transit, City of Oakland, FAZ in Oakland, Scenechat.com, KONO Neighborhood Association, Golden Gate Litho, KPFA, Fly Oakland, Oakland Visitors Bureau, Made in Oakland, The Oakland Asian Cultural Center and The Marriott Oakland City Center.  Sponsorships for year around events are available. Email oaklandfilmfestival@gmail.com for more information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlBm1wHq_IY&feature=youtu.be



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