It’s that time of year again and the Ninth Annual Oakland International Film Festival - OIFF - has a film for you!

The festival is taking place through the 15th at the historic Grand Lake Theatre, Laney College, The Washington Inn and Art Deco in Alameda.

In the world of film festivals, the OIFF has distinguished itself by creating a festival that is uniquely Oakland. The mission of the festival is improving the mental, physical and spiritual health of the diverse populations of the East Bay, through inspiring film. You can expect to be educated as well as entertained at this year’s OIFF.

The founding director, David Roach, is a community activist and former McClymonds High School teacher. He has been supporting African-American farmers, independent filmmakers and developing Oakland’s urban communities for more than a decade.

On April 7, the ninth annual event got started with a press conference and film market at the Claremont Hotel and Spa. This year’s festival is showcasing films from as far as India and Kenya, as well as showcasing films made in Oakland by Oakland filmmakers.

Lemonde Goodloe of Los Angeles came to the press conference to speak about his film "Gang Girl: A Mothers Journey to save her Daughter." The film will be screening TODAY, Wednesday April 13, beginning at 6:45 p.m. at Art Deco in Alameda. Together with his wife Valerie Goodloe, they produced the 87-minute documentary that focuses on a mother's struggle to keep her daughter out of the gang lifestyle of Los Angles.

At 6 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland, a good film to preview is "Ni Wakati." Ni Wakati is a Swahili phrase meaning it's time. Michael Wanguhu is an Oakland filmmaker from Kenya. His documentary showcases Africa’s rich diversity to the rest of the world.

The film follows M1 of Hip Hop group Dead Prez and Umi of P.O.W. as they travel to East Africa to connect with former Black Panthers in Tanzania and revolutionary artist groups in Kenya, all while breaking myths about Africa. The film paints a picture of modern day Africa that is rarely seen in films today.

On Friday, April 15, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Point Marina Vista in Alameda, the OIFF will host a music video mixer. The music video mixer will highlight the Bay Area’s leading music video directors, producers and performing artists.

The multi-talented, Oakland-based filmmaker Shaka Redmond of Olu8 films will be premiering a video he filmed for world music Artist MXO at Gods Window Mpumalanga South Africa.

“The video Mama Africa was made to highlight the feminine energy in Africa” Redmond says. "The video showcases the beauty in nature of Africa. Winnie, Mandela, Fannie Lou Hamer and Marian Makeba are some of the powerful women of the African Diaspora featured.

"The experimental, found footage video is about pushing the boundaries of

visual experience; the video is proof of what a small three man crew can accomplish, on a low budget with proper equipment and large amounts of creativity.”

For more information on the films and events in the festival, check out the OIFF website.

Thanks to our sponsor!

The City of Oakland marketing group has partnered with Oakland Local on a year-round program to promote and support community events that make Oakland a great place to live, work and visit.