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20th Oakland International Film Festival
September 15-24th, 2022
For the past two years, The Oakland International Film Festival has made some adjustments during this global Covid pandemic. Two years ago, at the height of Covid- 19, we canceled all of in-person events and streamed films from our website and held panels and film conversations on Zoom. In 2021, we thought we were out of Covid-19, but it spiked just before our festival. So we canceled all of our indoor events, added outdoor screenings/events and streamed films and held zoom interviews once again.

While Covid numbers continue to drop, we are hopeful we will be able to resume indoor screenings and outdoor screenings, while enabling film lovers to view our films on-line and in -person. We learned somethings during this pandemic, that we feel can be of use down the line as we continue to advance towards our mission of promoting indie filmmakers and the stories they tell.

Films selected into OIFF20 will be screened through the Official Oakland International Film Festival website: oiff.org internationally and possibly at theaters in Oakland and The East Bay (depending on Covid-19 by September 2022).

We seek stories of the often voiceless that speak truth to power. We seek to connect these stories to what is happening in Oakland, CA and around the world to inspire community empowerment, equality and justice for all.

If your film is for the people, its for The Oakland International Film Festival.

Peace and love.

OIFF20

Awards & Prizes

Best Narrative Film:
Films that demonstrate originality in storytelling

Best Short Film:

NEW CATEGORY - 2022

BEST TOWN: "Made in your Town"
A film that best illustrates "THE PEOPLE" in your city, community, neighborhood. Showcase the best group effort towards building community from "the people" up!

Films that speak to ending global hunger. Films that share new techniques in growing food, empowering communities to feed themselves. Films that promote African -American farmers and other under-served / discriminated against farmers around the world. We seek to amplify these voices to bring more awareness and support from around the world.
For more information, visit : http://oiff.org/feed_the_planet

NEW CATEGORY - FAMILYHOOD
Familyhood is a global, inter-generational initiative that defines schools as the center of the communities development. Familyhood is driven by two motto's: 1) Every school shall have a functioning Student Government Association, Parent Teacher Association and Alumni Association 2) Every School shall have a garden, a farmers market and a grocery store.. Everybody else, meaning not a student, parent, alumni of a school would be "friends of the school. This coalition of organizations and community leaders/partners are the school's Familyhood. 1st Saturdays, the first Saturday of every month, is the official monthly volunteer /recruitment day to "do now" for schools to begin their journey of growing Familyhood in their community. The main goal is to PRODUCE ALUMNI who ill mentor the next generation of STUDENT GOVERNMENT LEADERS. For the Familyhood category, we are seeking to help promote schools around the world starting Familyhood, in their community.

Rules & Terms

I, the undersigned acknowledge and agree as follows: I have read, understood and compiled with all eligibility requirements of categories for which I would like this film to be considered. To the best of my knowledge, all of the statements in this document are true. This film is not subject to litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. I am duly authorized to submit this film to the Festival and it's competition. I understand that if accepted, all shipping costs of the film/video will be the responsibility of the filmmaker, I agree to allow the festival permission to screen the film/video in the festival and to use portions of the film/video and accompanying photos and publicity materials for promotion and publicity purposes of the Festival. I hold the Oakland International Film Festival ("Festival") and the Oakland Film Society harmless from damage to or loss of the print en route or otherwise Festival's possession of film.
21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Douglas Lawlor

    Basically, I wasn't notified of being accepted into the festival but 48 hours before the event. That isn't much time for any real preparations to be made for viewing or attending. No doubt there will be excuses regarding Covid 19; nevertheless, this is irresponsible and inconsiderate.

    January 2022
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  • Keri Pickett

    Thank you for including No More Pipeline Blues Music Video in your super cool film festival. It is exciting to be able to share our short film of original music and indigenous resistance to Enbridge Line 3 tar sands pipeline with your unique audience. I sure wish I could have been there in person!

    October 2021
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  • lis cox

    Great experience even in this Covid era.
    David Roach, the co-founder was outstanding. Inviting our short film as part of the opening night at an outdoor space near Jack London.
    Great to visit with him and the other film maker and have an Oakland experience at this wonderful festival.
    Thanks David and Oakland International Film Festival.
    Can't wait to see what you cook up for the 20th.

    October 2021
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  • Gail Simpson

    An honor to be part of this festival. David was nimble making last minute adjustments to the changing circumstances of the covid distraction. I look forward to future festivals when networking might be easier.

    October 2021
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  • Daniel Lucca Parenti

    Executive Director David Roach did a great job turning a difficult situation into a great festival. We were honored to be screened at OIFF and look forward to the opportunity to participate again in the future!! A Job Well Done!!!!!! Daniel Lucca Parenti "The 2020 Kid"

    October 2021
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