SIXTEENTH ANNUAL OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OPENS TODAY

WITH “MELODY MAKERS” AND “SHOT IN THE DARK” & MORE

Sixty-five independent filmmakers from around the world will be showcased

in the Sixteenth Annual Oakland International Film Festival, April 3-7, 2018.

OAKLAND- The Sixteenth Annual Oakland International Film Festival is themed “Where Do We Go From Here?” based on the last book written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the festival in collaboration with Oakland’s 39^th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest recognizes the 50^th Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. King on April 4^th.  The five-day festival will be held today, Tuesday, April 3rd through Saturday, April 7^th with screenings at Jack London Regal Theater; Holy Names University; the historic Grand Lake Theater; Oakland City Hall and Warehouse 416.

 Opening day, April 3rd includes “Melody Makers,” a film by Leslie-Ann Coles.   One of several female directors featured at the festival, Coles’ feature documentary tells the true story of the rise and fall of the most influential music publication in history. “Melody Makers” magazine began, as a weekly jazz musician’s trade paper in the 1920’s and by the 1960’s became an internationally recognized “must read” for rock n’ roll fans and musicians alike. “Melody Makers” became a pop culture phenomenon and this was, to a great extent, due to its Chief Contributing Photographer, Barrie Wentzell (1965-1975) and his black and white photos that blistered across the front cover.  “Melody Makers” Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=bjgmxLdaC8c.

Leslie-Ann Cole Directed "Melody Makers."

 “Melody Makers” screens at Jack London Regal 5:30 p.m.  The short film, “Kings,” about an African American rookie Oakland police officer, who is determined to bridge the gap between the community he grew up in and the officers in blue, precedes the feature documentary, “Melody Makers.”  

“King’s trailer: https://vimeo.com/221690658.

KINGS Trailer Directed by Jamaal Scott

“Many thanks go to our sponsors that include the Akonadi Foundation; Jack London Regal Theater; Jack London Square; Made in the Bay Area.Com; RBA Creative; Holy Names University Asia Pacific Peace Studies Institute; The City of Oakland; P. Harrell Wines; The Civility Zone; Geoffrey’s Inner Circle; Myronpotier.com; Genexco; 510 Brand; The San Francisco Black Film Festival XX and all the sponsors and volunteers that have helped the Oakland International Film Festival affirm Oakland as an arts destination. Great things are made and great things happen in Oakland,” said David Roach, Executive Director and Founder.  “Thanks to everyone including the audiences over the years that have helped OIFF give voice to filmmakers from around the world.  We’re still rising.”

Executive Produced by Dwyane Wade& Chance The Rapper. Directed by Dustin Nakao Haider.

“Shot in the Dark,” produced by Dwyane Wade and Chance the Rapper and directed by Dustin Nakeo Haider, is also among the stellar opening day offerings.  The film that highlights the efforts of a Chicago basketball coach who helps keep young Black men off the streets and out of the way of flying bullets gives much food for thought.  With the backdrop of the recent “March Madness, with Villanova topping Michigan with a 79-62 win,  “A Shot in the Dark” will be of interest to sports fans and those with little interest as “Shot in the Dark” gives a unique perspective of the power of sports and committed coaches and players that transcends the basketball court.  The film will screen at Holy Names University at 5:25 p.m. and the Jack London Regal Theater at 8:00 p.m. See the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_67oFAQd20.

(Start Here from PRLOG.ORG:

https://www.prlog.org/12700907-oakland-film-fest-opens-with-help-of-akonadi-foundation-jack-london-regal-holy-names-others.html

Also Day One offerings include, “Resistance at Tule Lake” by Konrad Aderer tells the long suppressed story of 12,000 Japanese who dared to resist the U.S. Government’s mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.  The feature documentary will screen at the Jack London Regal Theater preceded by the short film “Hey Little Black Girl,” directed by Lyntoria Newton. “Resistance at Tule Lake” Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=QSuf8N5we5U. 

Written & Directed by Konrad Aderer.

“Hey Little Black Girl” trailer: https://vimeo.com/216250681.

In accordance with its theme, Day Two of the festival, April 4^th, the 50^th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be recognized.  Dr. King wrote a book titled “Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community.’  Dr. King is also noted for titling his last address to the conference of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference by that same title, August 16, 1967 in Atlanta, GA. (Click here for speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whkvt3uLblA).

In other festival news, In advance of the April 6^th and 7^th panels, the “Black Women in Film” Panel & Mixer will be held at the Ashara Ekundayo Gallery 480 23rd St. Oakland, CA 94612   at 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 4^th.  Ashara Ekundayo Gallery (AEG) is an arts exhibition and events venue located in the Uptown/KONO Arts District in Oakland, CA that exclusively showcases the archival, contemporary art, and new media works of Black women of the African Diaspora, and artistic creations made in collaboration with Black women. For more information visit: http://www.oiff.org/black-women-in-film/.

Additional panels will be held at Holy Names University, City Hall, Anfilo, Cana Bar and Parlor and Oakland’s City Hall.  The “Filmmakers Talk” Panel will be held at Oakland City Hall, April 6^th starting at 3:00 pm.  Visit http://www.oiff.org/filmmakers-talk/ for the schedule. April 7^th, “Made in Oakland” panel discussions and mixers begin at 11:30 a.m.  Visit http://www.oiff.org/made-in-oakland/ for details.

Parties associated with the Oakland International Film Festival include: Lungomare Bar that is located just around the corner from the Jack London Regal Theater; Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, located at 410 14th Street is in the heart of Downtown, Oakland; Era Art Bar & Lounge, located in Oakland’s Uptown district on Grand Ave between Webster and Broadway; CANA Cuban Parlor and Café, located just down the street from The Grand Lake Theater; and 499 Embarcadero West is located directly across the rail tracks from The Jack London Regal Theater.

Visit http://www.oiff.org/parties/ for more details.

For overall festival schedule and news visit www.oiff.org.  Your financial support of the Oakland Film Society and Oakland International Film Festival is welcome.  Visit http://www.oiff.org/sponsor/ and find out how your investment in the arts can make a positive difference.

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PHOTOS OF OPENING DAY FILMMAKERS & MEDIA NEWS CONFERENCE

 Other OIFF Related News Releases:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 50th Assassination Anniversary, Resistance & Resolutions at Oakland International Film Festival: http://www.wrightnow.biz/apps/articles/web/articleid/83029/columnid//default.asp.

Inspiring Vietnam Related Documentary at Oakland International Film Festival Screens @ Grand Lake Theater 3/5/18:http://www.wrightnow.biz/apps/articles/web/articleid/83032/columnid//default.asp

Female Filmmakers Highlighted by Oakland International Film Festival: https://www.prlog.org/12700375-women-filmmakers-highlighted-at-the-oakland-international-film-festival.html

"Where Do We Go From Here?" Oakland International Film Festival Honors King & Hosts Films From Around The World: http://www.wrightnow.biz/apps/articles/web/articleid/83026/columnid//default.asp