MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO: David Roach, Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Oakland
International Film Festival, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee; Randolph Belle,
owner of RBA Creative, Writer, Cecil Brown; Filmmakers:
Yuji Kakizaki; Jack LiVolsi; and James Franklin Blue III; Allison Davis,
National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ), Co-Founder;
Terry Collins, USA Today National Correspondent; Bob Butler,
Former KCBS Reporter & Former President of NABJ; Pam Moore,
Former KRON Anchor & 2025 NABJ Hall of Fame Inductee
WHAT: The 23rd Oakland International Film Festival (OIFF23)
returns September 10–20, 2025, featuring premieres, documentaries,
shorts, panel discussions, red-carpet moments, and community events.
The eleven day -festival spotlights voices and stories that speak truth to power with a theme: “Promoting The Planet Through Film.”
WHERE: Grand Lake Theater (Kickoff and Closing Screenings),
3200 Grand Lake Avenue, Oakland, CA. 94612; Northeastern University
(Formerly Mills College); Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, 410 14th Street, Oakland, CA 94612
visit www.oiff.org for the complete schedule.
WHEN: September 10-20, 2025
WHY: The Oakland International Film Festival celebrates the city’s rich history
in the arts by bringing filmmakers together to share stories from across the globe. This year’s opening films explore themes of community, resilience, and empowerment, offering a powerful testament to the strength of Oakland's diverse culture.
###
OIFF Films/Trailers Include:Opening Night at The Grand Lake Theater:
From Here/From There (De Aquí/De Allá) is the powerful documentary spotlighting Luis Cortes Romero, a DACA recipient and attorney, leading a team to the U.S. Supreme Court as the first undocumented immigrant to argue before the Court—a pivotal moment for immigrant rights.
https://youtu.be/ZhZ-VGwoJfs?si=TFflhpuCpEPwWaV3
Beyond the Headlines: The NABJ Journey, directed by James Franklin Blue III—celebrates 50 years of the National Association of Black Journalists. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysGpKXvGX4k
Feature Films and World Premieres Include:
Seppuku: The Sun Goes Down by Yuji Kakizaki—a historical drama set in 1829. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wf1XQfe5Yg0
Water Lilies, the debut feature by Chanho Lee. https://youtu.be/vMsfBFZAWso?si=Hzoia_wWUdBMzFMu
Adventure Tom by Miguel Duran—a romantic journey across America. https://youtu.be/J3cst2bDtpY?si=oHh2y3bScGlDN14U
The Bear of Manzanita, a short debut that opens the festival-story of how Steph Curry funded a new basketball court in Oakland, California, directed by Bob Wolf. https://youtu.be/3o4985DEeEA?si=S2Hs9MzgcDtqKM1Z
Short Films & Narrative Diversity:
Postcard from Sicily by Jack LiVolsi- retraces LiVolsi’s grandparents’ steps on their way to America in 1899 and explores the cultural significance of Sicily through its history. https://vimeo.com/1111524014
Oasis by Daniel Croix & Jonathan Logan— A high school English teacher's livelihood is on the line when she's fired for teaching Black literature.
https://vimeo.com/1043551254
No—a charming short about a people-pleaser stepping out of their comfort zone,
Grieving Brothers by Jere’Miah McGhee- exploring the themes of loss, brotherhood, and support.
Twon Marcel Pope’s “Amy and Neil”—a comedic short opening night screening about balancing gender roles.
ABOUT OIFF:
The Oakland International Film Festival is presented by the Oakland Film Society, a nonprofit
organization with a mission to promote independent filmmakers and their stories, empowering communities locally, nationally, and internationally. Affirming the “Made in Oakland” theme & brand and promoting tourism.
OIFF highlights the City of Oakland as a destination for the arts with its history and rich tapestry of artistic talent. Filmmakers from around the world reinforce tourism in Oakland and the San Francisco Bay Area with their films that span many genres, many cultures and many walks of life...
The Oakland International Film Festival is a testament to Oakland’s artistry
and the positive happenings in the City of Oakland.
Visit www.oiff.org for a complete schedule.
Editors’ Note:
For media passes and interviews with filmmakers and Executive Director & Co-Founder
David Roach, contact Jackie Wright at (415) 525-0410 or jackiewright@wrightnow.biz.
Social Media:
Instagram: [@Oiff](https://www.instagram.com/oiff)
Facebook: [Oakland International Film Festival](https://www.facebook.com/oiff.org)