Oakland, CA- April 4, 2013 - Congratulations to Oakland brothers, Oakland International Film Festival, Executive Director, David Roach, Director and Producer, Paul Roach and world renowned UCSF Surgeon, Dr. Max Roach,co-founders Sharon Norwood & Johnny Drake and all the volunteers and supporters of the Oakland International Film Festival that gets underway for the eleventh year, Thursday, April 4, 2013. Visit
www.oiff.org.A unique aspect of this year's festival, was the outreach to the West Bay with a
reception at Fort McKinley Restaurant in South San Francisco with Mayor Pedro Gonzalez, heralding a film about baseball and Cambodia, "Rice Field of Dreams" by director and producer Cambodian American, Daron Ker. Ker shared one of the inspirations for his film on his
Facebook Page. "
"Jackie Robinson story is what inspired me to make "RICE FIELD OF DREAMS". J. Robinson wore #42 to build his legacy and become the first African-American player to play in Major League Baseball. He broke the color barrier and gives kids worldwide a chance to dream big. Because of Jackie Robinson, I dedicate #79 to honor 2.5 million of my people who passed away during the Khmer Rouge regime. My hope is to inspire the people in Cambodia to believe that with hope and dreams, anything is possible! Thank you Jackie!"
See what the Oakland Tribune had to say about "Rice Field of Dreams and the Oakland International Film Festival.
See the Asian Week Article. "When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on so long in the first place," quote by Shonda Scott, CEO of 360 Concept and Pink Access Foundation Founder, characterizes the spirit of her film "Our Journey." Did you hear that fantastic interview with KBLX's Nikki Thomas Saturday before Easter. It was great topic during the season of redemption.
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| Our Journey Documentary Trailer |
When one considers the multicultural nature of the Oakland International Film Festival, its growing economic engine for tourism, its a vehicle for cross cultural interaction, a vehicle for job training through volunteer experiences, the history of making it happen on a shoestring budget, branding Oakland as a destination for the Arts, the Healthy the woven around the festival, then one sees the Oakland International Film festival is more than just a pretty face and a good time.
"Our Journey" and "Rice Field of Dreams " are just two of the many films you should check out at the Oakland International Film Festival. Visit
www.oiff.org for more information and schedule of films.
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Couple of Links to OIFF Back in The Day---the melodious sound provided that day at the Grand Lake was by one of my favorite musicians
Ashton Craig.
Everybody is a Star Red Carpet Event Opening Night 7th Annual OIFF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BCsLcN4QV8Red Carpet Event with Youth Filmmakers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4aahWvq1rIComing soon SF Filmmaker Jacquie Taliaferro's take on the San Francisco International Film Festival (April 25-May 9th). 
