Oak Park Black Film Festival
Black is Beautiful
Saturday, October 10
Feature
Directed by: Yemi Bamiro
About Black is Beautiful: Everyone knows the phrase “Black is Beautiful,” but few know of the man who helped popularize it. Little known Harlem based photographer – freedom fighter and activist – Kwame Brathwaite took 500,000 photos across his 70-year career, always devoted to celebrating the joy and beauty of African American life. This feature documentary tells the story of Kwame and the “Black is Beautiful” movement.
Basement People
Sunday, October 11
Short Film
Directed by: Christine Swanson
About Basement People: Seven-year-old Tina is left in the care of her extended family after a traumatic event exposes the fault lines of a volatile household. Sensitive and emotionally fragile, she navigates a home ruled by control, neglect, and barely contained rage. As tensions escalate into violence, Tina retreats into the basement, seeking refuge from the chaos above.
Montmartre
Sunday, October 11
Feature Film
Directed by: Leon Hendrix III
About Montmartre: Disillusioned with her lackluster life, JO takes a break and visits the storied French district of MONTMARTRE. There she falls for TOUSSAINT, a tour guide with a penchant for poetry and a strong belief in the power of Magic and Romance. Through their curious connection, Black History, art and love intertwine, reconnecting Jo to her long-lost passion for life.
Please Return Your Cart
Friday, October 9
Short Film
Direced by: Andrew St. Juste
About Please Return Your Cart: A former soldier turned shopping cart attendant, resigned to a life on the sidelines, is challenged by a vibrant consultant to embrace his greatest fear – a second chance at love.
Love Zuri
Friday, October 9
Short Film
Directed by: Okema T Moore
About Love Zuri: Left alone with his non-verbal daughter for the weekend, a father’s fears about her autism give way to joy when her song teaches him how to truly hear her.
Pick Me Up
Friday, October 9
Short Film
Directed by: Leanna Bringht
About Pick Me Up: A day in the life of a ride-share driver and passengers as they navigate interpersonal conflicts.
White History Month
Friday, October 9
Short Film
Directed by: Aaron Wallace
About White History Month: On an eventful day in the principal’s office, a disillusioned teacher (Wesley Jonathan) and a troubled student (Chance Mamo) form an unlikely connection, setting in motion a life-altering encounter that will change both of their futures forever.
Famous Enough
Friday, October 9
Short Film
Directed by: Tosin Morohunfola
About Famous Enough: A self-obsessed actor walks through an airport and meets fans, foes and flirts along the way. As he juggles his celebrity, social media and his thirst for fame, he learns the hard way who not to trust when he is suddenly kidnapped.
93′ Til
Friday, October 9
Feature Film
Directed By: Alterik Miller
About 93 ‘ Til: Rahmell, a struggling Philadelphia painter facing eviction, meets Yannie, a vintage clothing seller preserving her late mother’s legacy, at a job fair neither wants to attend. They ditch the fair and spend one perfect day exploring the city—record stores, art galleries, soul food restaurants —falling in love through vinyl, art, and presence in a world obsessed with screens.
Heroes Among Us: Kid Electric
Thursday, October 8
Short Film
Directed by: Anthony Jones
About Heroes Among Us: Kid Electric: Get ready to be shocked and electrified by a new hero on the horizon. Kid Electric! This young speedster is new on the scene and has always wanted to be one of the comic book heroes he’s read about as a child. In this story we journey with him as he finds out exactly what it means to be a superhero.
Talk to Somebody
Thursday, October 8
Short Film
Directed By: Jamal Akakpo
About Talk to Somebody: A teenage boy whose freedom hangs by a thread, enters his final court mandated therapy session only to discover his therapist has emotional wounds of his own that run just as deep.
The Heir
Thursday, October 8
Short Film
Directed By: Tia A. Smith
About The Heir: A grieving granddaughter inherits her grandmother’s home in a gentrifying D.C. neighborhood, where family tensions and generational scars force her to choose between preserving tradition or redefining legacy.
Intergalactic Ingenue
Thursday, October 8
Short Film
Directed By: Nathan Deshawn Bouie
About Intergalactic Ingenue: On the night he’s supposed to integrate with his Hive-mind alien girlfriend, James, a man with deep commitment issues, discovers his ex is also dating the same Hivemind.
Sr.
Thursday, October 8
Short Film
Directed By: Toroes David Thomas Jr.
About Sr.: David Williams, a middle-aged mechanic battling addiction and a troubled past, faces a crisis when his ex-wife Katherine brings their abused son, Junior, to live with him. Fearing social services, David goes into hiding with the kids in an abandoned house, where they plead for a trip to the beach, their “happy place.”
Before You Let Go
Thursday, October 8
Short Film
Directed By: Jalen Blot
About Before You Let Go: On the bittersweet morning of her late husband’s birthday, a widow’s peaceful routine is disrupted by a broken coffee machine and an unexpected guest, unraveling a tender journey through grief, nostalgia, and renewed hope.
LIMITLESS: The Dr. Chester Pierce Story
Wednesday, October 7
Feature Documentary
Directed By: Gloria Respress-Churchwell
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.