Oak Park Black Film Festival
The Late Night Creep
Saturday, October 11
Jamal Dedeaux, Writer and Director
An unhappily married man, sneaks out of the house to go on a date with his college crush and ends up having the night from hell.
Don’t Hang Up
Thursday, October 9
Diamond Batiste, Writer and Director
In rural Hayti, Missouri, matriarch Elizabeth Holiday confronts her past when an unexpected call from her former student, Jeremy, disrupts her routine. As they navigate their shared history and the challenges of their community, they’re forced to confront harsh realities, igniting a journey of reconciliation and redemption.
Outdoor School
Sunday, October 12
Ime Nyong Etuk, Writer and Director
A tree can be a home and a forest can be a school, but raised in the wilds of 90’s Portland, Vin must first learn to be a child. OUTDOOR SCHOOL – A transformative true story about the search for shelter and the power of being seen.
Wait Until Tomorrow
Sunday, October 12
Osato Dixon, Writer and Director
This documentary follows the journeys of Black families over two years, showcasing their struggles, survival, and pursuit of success across diverse economic paths. It examines five distinct themes that shape Black economic mobility, intercut with expert interviews from McKinsey’s Black Economic Mobility Institute. Through intimate family stories, it explores the challenges and triumphs of Black life, offering an in-depth look at the factors influencing economic mobility and the fight for a better future.
ADO
Saturday, October 11
Sam Henderson, Writer and Director
Ms. Hopkins is rehearsing Much Ado About Nothing with her middle school theatre class when it is interrupted by a school shooter.
Laundry
Saturday, October 11
Alterik Miller, Writer and Director
After his son’s tragic accident, a husband struggles to save his marriage and himself, until a chance encounter at a laundromat shows him that even in grief, hope and healing can all come out in the wash.
Untold Secrets: The Flip Side
Thursday, October 9
Dwayne Ricardo Brown, Writer and Director
For the past several years, I’ve been working on a project, “The
Flip Side”, a film exploring mental health. The project will
consist of shooting, editing, and bringing awareness to
homelessness, mental health and cancer.
The film centers on a man living on the streets due to mental
health-related complications and the woman who recognizes him,
takes him to a café, and learns his story and helps get him back
on his feet.
The Ohio, Texas Remix
Thursday, October 9
Ya’ke Smith, Writer and Director
A woman travels from Ohio to Texas to kidnap her son from her estranged ex-husband. Based on a true story.
The ReWrite.
Wednesday, October 8
Written, Directed and Edited by Terry Dawson
A struggling screenwriter revisits the characters in his script in real A struggling screenwriter revisits the characters in his script in real life to do a rewrite of his latest draft in order to save his dying career. to do a rewrite of his latest draft in order to save his dying career.
Knocking on The Door: Two Cities, Two Historic Campaign
Wednesday, October 8
Louis Bryant III, Director
Picture Perfect
Tuesday, October 7- Local's Day
Parneille Walker, Writer and Director
Picture Perfect is a short film that explores the complexities of troubled relationships. Frank, a man deeply affected by past trauma, turns to painting as a way to cope with his anger. He creates a portrait of the woman he plans to propose to, only to uncover a devastating secret that turns his world upside down.
Goodnight, My Love
Saturday, October 11
Chyna Robinson, Writer and Director
A 90 year old woman reflects on the ups and downs of her 65 year marriage, not at all the happily ever after she imagined as a young woman.
Ways to Fly
Thursday, October 9
Kirby Marshall-Collins, Writer and Director
When her barrettes mess up her pirouettes, an excitable, hyper-focused Black girl must power through the distractions – and her mother’s expectations — to fly like the ballerinas do.
WITHERED
Tuesday, October 7- Local's Day
Alana I. Smith, Writer and Director
When a clairvoyant on the run from the government steals a highly valued photo, he uses his supernatural abilities to find his family before a lunar eclipse erases everything in his memory.
ZEKE
Saturday, October 11
Kerry Coddett Writer and Director
Zeke is a dark satire about a trusted barbershop owner who betrays a loyal client, forcing him to confront the culture of silence that pervades their Brooklyn community.
JULES
Saturday, October 11
Tiffany M. Abney, Writer and Director
Jules is dating Clutch, an ex-motocross racer whose career ended after a major injury. He forbids her from riding, but Jules secretly continues at the track, where she meets Rome, a charismatic racer drawn to her passion. As Rome encourages her to ride, Clutch discovers her defiance, leaving Jules torn between love and her freedom.
Can You Stand The Rain
Friday, October 10
Eden Albert Marryshow, Writer and Director
When an undervalued physical therapist secretly takes on a famous rugby player’s recovery using a bold mix of Jamaican herbal remedies and modern therapy, she risks her career—and her heart—in a fight to prove her worth.
LOVE OFFSIDE
Friday, October 10
Dale S. Lewis, Writer and Director
When an undervalued physical therapist secretly takes on a famous rugby player’s recovery using a bold mix of Jamaican herbal remedies and modern therapy, she risks her career—and her heart—in a fight to prove her worth.
SOUL OF THE CITY
Thursday, October 9
Roger Melvin, Writer and Director
In Leimert Park, Los Angeles, Chris, a rehabilitated pedicab driver and his female passenger, Jasmine, receive a stark reminder that, despite your good intentions in life, judgment can haunt you anywhere.
3rd Annual Oak Park Black Film Festival begins, features documentary on Luther Vandross
KXTV ABC 10 - October 11, 2024
The 3rd Annual Oak Park Black Film Festival started at the Guild Theater Tuesday and ends Sunday, Oct. 13. The festival features various films from Black creators, filmmakers, producers and actors.
ABC10’s Mark S. Allen spoke with event organizers Adrianne Hall and Dru Burks about the festival.
HERE ARE 3 THINGS TO KNOW:
Oak Park Festival Provides Black Filmmakers A Too Rare Showcase
Sacramento Observer 10.24.24
By Madelaine Church | Special to The OBSERVER
The third annual Oak Park Black Film Festival played on the big screen at the historic Guild Theater in Oak Park last week.
The six-day festival, running from Oct. 8-13, featured a diverse lineup of films from aspiring Black filmmakers, actors, and creatives. More than 20 films premiered, showcasing documentaries, short films, and independent films.
Oak Park’s Black Film Festival to highlight Black culture and uplift community
Capital Public Radio - Wednesday, October 2, 2024
By Marie-Elena Schembri, Solving Sacramento
Embracing vulnerability. Grief. Community healing. Musical icons.
These are just some of the themes viewers can engage with at the upcoming third annual Oak Park Black Film Festival. The festival will feature a diverse lineup of independent films and panel discussions at The Guild Theatre Oct. 8-13.
Film Festivals Take Center Stage in Sacramento
Comstocks Magazine - May 24, 2024
By Jacob Peterson
The general image that comes to mind for most people when describing a film festival are grand events like the Sundance festival in Utah or the Cannes in France, but Sacramento has more than a handful of its own staple events.
The general image that comes to mind for most people when describing a film festival are grand events like the Sundance festival in Utah or the Cannes in France, but Sacramento has more than a handful of its own staple events.
New Oak Park film festival brings ‘Black excellence’ to Sacramento.
Sacramento Bee - September 10, 2023
Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood this week is hosting a five-day Black film festival, an event its organizers hope to turn into annual tradition.
The festival begins today at the Guild Theater at 2828 35th Ave. and includes more than a dozen short films, feature-length movies and documentaries that tell a variety of stories through a Black lens.
Some of the featured films include biopics on historical figures like Mahalia Jackson, Harold Washington, Ann Gregory, and Marcus Garvey.
Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy a Good Film
Sacramento Observer - September 6, 2022
By Jared Childress
The first annual Oak Park Black Film Festival is just days away – and it’s a must-see.
The inaugural five-day festival will be held Sept 7 – 11 from 6 – 9PM at the Guild Theater in Oak Park, Sacramento. The event will feature independent short and feature films by African-American filmmakers. The screenings will be followed by a panel discussion with film producers moderated by St. Hope Academy founder, Kevin Johnson.
Oak Park Second Annual Black Film Festival Crosses Lines
Sacramento Observer - October 20, 2023
by WILLIAMENA KWAPO
The full range of Black films, from shorts to feature-length documentaries and narrative films, were on display at the historic Guild Theater for five days last week.
The second annual Oak Park Black Film Festival was hosted by former Mayor Kevin Johnson, who introduced the films and also offered samples of Black craft beers.
Johnson, who grew up in Oak Park, shared his love of film and the opportunities that exist for aspiring Black filmmakers, highlighting Black stories across the diaspora directed by Black filmmakers.