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Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee commends the Oakland International Film Festival – RUNNING NOW, Sept. 10-20

September 10, 2025

The 23rd Oakland International Film Festival (OIFF) runs from September 10-20, 2025, under the theme "Promoting the Planet Through Film" with events at the Grand Lake Theater, Northeastern University, and Geoffrey's Inner Circle. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee has praised festival director David Roach for his 23 years of work showcasing Oakland's positive achievements while connecting filmmakers and audiences globally. The 11-day festival features premieres, documentaries, shorts, panels, and red-carpet events that represent Oakland's vibrant cultural scene, referred to as "The Oakperience.

Who is affected

  • Local Oakland community and residents
  • Filmmakers, artists, and film industry professionals
  • Festival attendees and audiences
  • DACA recipients (featured in opening film)
  • Black journalists (represented through NABJ documentary)
  • Rising filmmakers seeking mentorship and networking opportunities
  • Community members engaged in public health and safety (through special screenings)

What action is being taken

  • The Oakland International Film Festival is currently running from September 10-20, 2025
  • The festival is showcasing premieres, documentaries, shorts, and other films
  • OIFF is hosting panels and workshops with journalists, filmmakers, and cultural leaders
  • The festival is providing mentorship and networking opportunities connecting rising filmmakers with industry veterans
  • A free screening of "Crime After Crime" and "Grieving Brothers" is being held in collaboration with Alameda County Public Health and A Safe Place

Why it matters

  • The festival celebrates its 23rd year as a platform for truth-telling, cultural exchange, and community empowerment
  • OIFF showcases Oakland's cultural richness and positive achievements to a global audience
  • The festival builds bridges across communities and cultures through cinema
  • It serves as a cultural movement beyond just film screenings
  • The event reinforces Oakland as a hub of creativity and resilience
  • The festival utilizes film as a tool to improve the Oakland community

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper