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- 6th Annual OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL BLACK LGBT FILM FESTIVAL
6th Annual OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL BLACK LGBT FILM FESTIVAL
6th Annual OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL BLACK LGBT FILM FESTIVAL
"I felt compelled to produce this festival after I learned from Debra (who is also a filmmaker) that there was only one Black LGBT film festival in the world at that time." Hawkins said. But after doing some research, he said that it was clear that the closest thing to a Black LGBT film festival that existed in America were the film screenings that sometimes took place in hotels during Black Gay Pride celebrations around the country.
| BLUEPRINT |
| U People |
| The Young and Evil |
| Shirts & Skins |
| Friends and Lovers: Ski Trip 2 |
Festival co-producer Debra Wilson said; "When we held our first screening in 2003 at the Parkway Theater, there was a line down the street, I was a little shocked, but I knew that we were filling a void." Hawkins said that even the one other film festival that existed when the Oakland festival began six years ago, has resorted to offering free screenings on a very small scale.
Oakland is home to some of the world.s most notable black gay and lesbian film-makers to include the late Marlon Riggs (Tongues Untied & Ethnic Notions) and more recently award winning directors Debra Wilson (Butch Mystique & Jumpin. The Broom) and Maurice Jamal (Dirty Laundry & Ski-Trip) who's films have also been shown on MTV- Logo. Another unique characteristic of Oakland is that it is home to the largest population of African and African-American LGBT people in Northern California, according to a recent survey by the International Federation of Black Prides.
The festival takes place at Oakland 's landmark Parkway Theater, located at 1834 Park Blvd , August 14-17. "Opening night, we selected a RETRO film from African-American cinema that resonates within the Black LGBT community. Last year we chose The Wiz and this year we will screen Mahogany." Hawkins said. Mahogany will also be presented in memory of former owner of the Historic Bates House, Joe Ware, who died earlier this year. "Joe was a major supporter of the film festival and hosted the filmmakers at the Bates House at his Bed & Breakfast along with the annual opening night reception. Joe Ware was the epitome of class and often opened his business to the Black LGBT community when no one else would" Hawkins said.
This year.s festival selections include: Logo's (from MTV Networks) Sneek-Peek screening of its ground-breaking new reality show "Shirts & Skins," which is scheduled to premiere on LOGO in mid September. Shot in San Francisco and Directed by talented African-American director Leola Westbrook, the show follows the true-life story of the San Francisco Rockdogs, a young all-star gay basketball team who must reunite to uphold their city's three-generation legacy of international gay games gold medal, and national tournament wins. The Bay Area Premiere of Oakland native, Maurice Jamal's latest offering - Ski-Trip 2 (Friends & Lovers), part romantic comedy, part drama, part Hollywood spoof and all signature Jamal. Hanifah Walidah.s, U People - A documentary steeped with sexy, intelligent women who have gathered together to make a unique music video; BLUEPRINT Director and Out 100 honoree, Kirk Shannon-Butts, tells the story of Keith, a reserved conservative transplant to New York City from Los Angeles and Nathan a street-smart, pot smoking Brooklynite who lives on the edge. Pariah - Pariah is a coming-of-age drama about a lesbian teenager who unsuccessfully juggles multiple identities to avoid rejection from her friends and family and The Sakia Gunn Project - documentary that tells the story of Sakia, a 15 year old charismatic, dynamic young woman who was tragically murdered. Sakia was out and proud about being an 'aggressive' (woman who dresses in masculine attire but does not necessarily identify as either lesbian or female-to-male transgender.) Sakia held promise as a basketball player and was looking forward to becoming an upper classman at Newark.s West Side High.
The festival also presents a dark look at AIDS with "Young & Evil" by Writer-Director Julian Breece who makes a striking debut with a dramatic short about a defiantly promiscuous young man who finds eros in self-destruction. The Alameda County Office of AIDS Administration has joined Realistate Firm, The Harrison Team and others, as a sponsor of the festival and will be presenting their new HIV Prevention & Awareness Campaign; HIV STOPS WITH US (HSWU), created and implemented by San Francisco-based social marketing firm Better World Advertising . This new campaign builds on the highly successful HIV STOPS WITH ME Social Marketing Campaign and features the photography of internationally recognized photographer, Duane Cramer. A preview of this new approach to HIV prevention will take place at the Oakland International Black LGBT Film Festival August 15th - 17th. Ads will be showcased and spokes-models will be in attendance.
In addition to films, there will be a Black LGBT Media Summit at Club Anton in Oakland's Jack London Square on Saturday, August 16 and festival after parties to include a San Francisco Rockdogs after-party on Friday, August 15 at Maxwell's Nightclub in Downtown Oakland and a Donna Summer (who is headlining at the Paramount Theater in Oakland on Saturday, August 16) "Boogie Night" after party at
Oakland's newest gay club Vibe Lounge. Hawkins stated that .We want the whole community to come out to this film festival, straight or LGBT, White, Latino or Asian. We created this festival to help bring a better understanding of who we are to the community at large, and that means you!.
Films run August 14-17 at the Parkway Theater.
Event Producer: Oakland International Black LGBT Film Festival
Theater & Ticket Outlet: Parkway Theater, 1834 Park Blvd , Oakland
Theater Phone: (510) 814-2400
Dates: August 14-17, 2008
Contact: Joe Hawkins
Email: joehawkins777@yahoo.com
| THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 (2 screenings) MAHOGANY - Opening Night! For 2008, we have selected another film starring Miss Diana Ross - MAHOGANY! This Oscar nominated musical was produced and directed by Motown founder and legend Barry Gordy. Mahogany was harshly criticized by white film critics when it was released in 1975. But the African American community saw Mahogany as a cinematic celebration of Black beauty, Black struggle, Black success and Black Love. Add the drama of high fashion and the sexy Billy Dee Williams and you have a film that was destined for gayness...we mean greatness. The poignant words to Mahogany's theme song asked us the question - Do You Know Where You're Going To? This is the question that we ask the Black LGBT community with this year's slate of films; Do You Know? BLUEPRINT Out 100 honoree Director Kirk Shannon-Butts tells the story of Keith who is a reserved, straitlaced transplant to New York City from Los Angeles; Nathan is a street-smart, potsmoking Brooklynite who lives on the edge . or so he.d like Keith to believe. At first glance, nothing about these two young African American college students suggests romantic compatibility. But a casual courtship gradually develops amidst minor bickering and disagreements . those familiar interstices inside which nascent love restlessly takes shape. |
| FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 (2 screenings) U People In a brownstone in Brooklyn, a film about a film unfolds, and not just any film...but a documentary steeped with sexy, intelligent women who have gathered together to make a unique music video. The talented filmmakers capture what happens when 30 hot and sharp women of color convene, revealing a blend of experiences and perspectives that are rarely voiced. U PEOPLE is a powerful and engaging romp that enters a world seldom represented - and you¢re invited to the party. Shirts & Skins (sneek-peek premiere) MTV - LOGO presents a ground-breaking reality show, "Shirts & Skins," which follows the true-life story of the San Francisco Rockdogs, a young all-star basketball team who must reunite to uphold their city's three-generation legacy of international gay games gold medal, and national tournament wins. After their last gold in 2006, the team fell apart, only to be rallied back together by their founders to defend their title at the upcoming National Gay Basketball Championship in Chicago. When the Rockdogs join together as family, they win. So will this new generation of talented players be able to put aside their interpersonal differences, love lives, and late night rumbles in time to get their game on and bring home the championship? |
| SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 (1 screening & 6 shorts) SHORT & SWEET . A Saturday Series of Shorts The Incredibly True Adventures of Sistas of the Canyon Voices of mothers, sisters, daughters, girlfriends, and lesbian women spanning different generations, shapes and sizes redefine unity and sisterhood by testing their physical and emotional boundaries that begin at the mountaintop. Pariah Pariah is a coming-of-age drama about a lesbian teenager who unsuccessfully juggles multiple identities to avoid rejection from her friends and family. The Young And Evil Shot in South Central Los Angeles, Writer-Director Julian Breece makes a striking debut with THE YOUNG & EVIL, a dramatic short about a defiantly promiscuous young man who finds eros in self-destruction. Referencing the controversial 1930s novel of the same title, THE YOUNG & EVIL provides a chilling lens into how homophobia, faithlessness and longing miscolor the need for human connection. An official program of The Brotherhood Crusade of Los Angeles (501c-3) and its arts against AIDS initiative.
Bell has insomnia. So one restless night, she decides to go to the local Insomniac's Anonymous 3 a.m. meeting, and there she meets Helena, the girl of her waking dreams. After the meeting, Bell and Helena explore their connection back at Bell's apartment, wherethey crawl into bed and sleep together as the sun begins to rise. SOULJAH An effiminate African school boy is bullied by neighborhood thugs who don't know that he has a dark secret. Christian True First-time Bay Area based filmmaker Raymond Clark pondors the always controversial subject of being black, gay and christian in his thought provoking short. |
| SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 (2 screenings) The Sakia Gunn Film Project The Sakia Gunn Project is a documentary that tells the story of Sakia, a 15 year old charismatic, dynamic young woman who was out and proud about being an 'aggressive' . (a homosexual woman) who dresses in masculine attire but does not necessarily identify as either lesbian or female-to-male transgender.Sakia held promise as a basketball player and was looking forward to becoming an upperclassman at Newark.s West Side High. She and her friends were returning from socializing at NYC's Greenwich Village piers. The 'piers' is a popular spot for lesbian, gay, and transgendered (LGBT) youth.On the night Sakia was murdered, two men targeted them and wanted to instigate trouble. First flirting with and propositioning the 'femmes' in their group. The girls rebuffed the sexual advances of the much older assailants. Words were exchanged, a fight ensued, and Sakia was stabbed. She died in the arms of her best friend, Valencia. Several rallies and vigils have subsequently been held, galvanizing the Newark community and prompting several LGBT organizations to form The Newark Pride Alliance and Sakia Gunn Aggressives & Femmes, as well as a scholarship fund in her name established by Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Friends and Lovers: Ski Trip 2 We proudly conclude the festival with a film by Oakland native and Award winning Director, Maurice Jamal and his Bay Area premiere of his new film; FRIENDS AND LOVERS: SKI TRIP 2. Part romantic comedy, part drama, part Hollywood spoof and all signature Jamal, the story follows the lives, loves and mishaps of three diverse couples living in Los Angeles, and their eccentric circle of friends.Featuring a multiracial cast that crosses orientation and gender, FRIENDS AND LOVERS is a bold, brazen and totally outrageous look at life in LA. |
