Don’t look now, but Oakland is quietly becoming a popular hub for independent, non-mainstream and/or classic films.

This cinematic trend has been bubbling under for months, if not years, but became more evident earlier this month with “A Celebration of Black History Month through Film,” a series of free Friday evening screenings at City Hall. Presented by Rocky Seker and Black Cinema at Large, the series continues with TONIGHT'S - Feb. 24 - East Bay premiere of Mario Van Peebles’ “Redemption Road.” It runs until March 2, with the not-to-be missed documentary on black comic book artists, “White Scripts, Black Supermen."

A new series, also on Friday evenings, called “Theater Funk” should keep the celluloid momentum going for the foreseeable future. Curated by Needa Bee - aka “the Lumpia Lady" - and hosted by eco-hop emcee Ambessa Negus of Earth Amplified, the series, held at Badd Boyz hair salon in the Uptown district, features as many as four films an evening, all for free.

In an email interview, Bee explained that families and people of color are Theater Funk’s target audience.

“Specifically, we are targeting black and brown families and black and brown people in general … ," she said. "It was really important to us to create a family-friendly community space that was recreational and free, where we could see our reflections on the big screen.”

“Theater Funk” began Feb. 17 with a stellar BHM-themed lineup: Jackson 5 cartoons, ‘70s Afro-cinema classic “Cornbread, Earl & Me,” ‘80s hip-hop drama “Boyz in the Hood,” and the prototypical Afro-futurist film, “Brother from Another Planet.” 

Upcoming films in the series are currently listed to April 20 and include such cultural ambrosia as “Sankofa,” “Quilombo,” “Princess Mononoke,” “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Bamboozled,” “Daughters of the Dust,” “Black Othello” and “Real Women Have Curves.”

More than just good movies, there’s a cultural/community synergy at work, as well. The Theater Funk Facebook page notes that seating is in-and-out, so it’s possible to attend the simultaneous City Hall screenings as well. Both BCaL and KQED/OMCA recently showed the anti-violence documentary “The Interrupters” just prior to it airing on PBS’ “Frontline.” As a gesture of solidarity, the City Hall screenings have spotlighted other Oakland or locally-based film series and festivals, among them the Oakland Underground Film Festival, the Fist Up! Film Festival, the Oakland International Film Festival and the Black Futurists Film Series. Similarly, the OUFF has shouted-out BCaL in social media posts and co-promoted “Briefs,” an East Bay Express-produced series of erotic shorts.

Bee said it's “awesome” to see the emergence of so many film series. She points to the recent debate over the African-American WWII movie "Red Tails" as an example of Oakland beginning to participate in a larger conversation around cinema.

“’Red Tails’ put up the issues of black cinema in public discourse,” Bee said. With Theater Funk, “We opened it up to include brown [cinema], as well.” However, she added, “I hope it’s not a trend. I hope this becomes a mainstay.”

Besides being an entirely welcome development from a "what’s-there-to-do-tonight?" standpoint, the rise of mini-fests and numerous film series in Oakland suggests a more discernible visual aspect is beginning to inform the city’s much-ballyhooed cultural renaissance.

OIFF celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, and plans to spotlight films, which support its mission of “improving the mental, physical and spiritual health of the diverse populations of the East Bay.” The location moves to OMCA - which is expected to add visibility and cultural cachet - and while the lineup for 2012 has yet to be announced, save these dates: April 6-8.

Another piece of the puzzle is the New Parkway. Though it’s not yet open for business, the rechristened movie house recently held a First Friday meet and greet at its new location (474 24th St., also in Uptown). The venue has posted on its website that it not only plans to retain the eclectic, community-friendly vibe of the old Parkway, but will be innovative in programming, which may include theme nights, movie marathons and the like. Dates for the actual grand opening have not been announced - just the teaser, “we’re getting close.” 

Along those lines, the 2012 dates for the OUFF have been announced: Sept. 27-30.

With that in mind, it’s conceivable that by fall 2012, the influx of underground, independent, and/or alternative films in Oakland will have reached critical mass – which is good news for both auteurs and aficionados.

Of course, being a supporter of non-mainstream fare doesn’t mean one can’t enjoy the occasional big-budget blockbuster (especially one screening at the independently-owned Grand Lake). But there is something to be said for finding your community in a small group of family and friends while being exposed to movies outside of the Hollywood matrix.