The 24th Oakland International Film Festival - Sept 9 - Grand Lake 4:00 PM

The first day of The 24th Oakland International Film Festival kicks off with session 1 on Wednesday September 9th at the Grand Lake Theater. Session 1 is from 4:00pm - 6:00pm and includes the following amazing films:

Never Say Die - 00:03:32
Director: Tom Donald
People of a certain age confront their mortality.

Oakland Strong - 00:04:25
Director: David Godinez

Oakland is a city desperate for solutions. These strong kids are the answer hiding in plain sight. For over a decade, Coach Mike Jenkins has taught Olympic weightlifting for free—right in the heart of Oakland. With zero city support, he’s produced national and international champions, college-bound scholars, and confident leaders. But strength alone can’t keep the lights on. Oakland Strong follows his fight to save the program, as he brings his kids to City Hall to lift—for recognition, and for the city to finally take notice.

This short documentary is a rally cry for generational health, community investment, and the power of one man to rewrite the narrative.

Will Oakland finally recognize its own strength?

Guardians of Oakland Chinatown - 00:23:00

Director: Jiayi L

An observational-participatory documentary capturing the fierce struggle against anti-Asian hate in the wake of COVID-19. Told through the lens of a community filmmaker, Guardians of Oakland Chinatown reveals the physical and cultural guardians—elders, business owners, women—who refuse to let violence erase their neighborhood. As attacks escalate, these protectors deploy everything, these protectors deploy everything from patrols to inter-generational storytelling, transforming trauma into resistance.

Dr Loco, A Chicano Legend- 00:21:10

Director: Gustavo Vasquez, Javier Sanchez, Greg Landau

This short film documents a tribute concert honoring Jose Cuellar, known as "Dr. Loco." It features live performances by Bay Area musicians who performed and collaborated with him, along with interviews highlighting his lasting contributions to the Bay Area's musical and cultural community.

Breaking The Cycle - 00:12: 35
Director: Farah Otero-Amad
Breaking the Cycle takes you inside 4Eskuela, a vibrant hip-hop school in Medellín, Colombia, where students and teachers unlock the power of self-expression through dance, while competing for the title of Medellín’s top breakdancer.

Disclaimer: Schedule subject to change