15th Annual Fist Up Film Festival —FIRST NIGHT

Get ready to be moved, inspired and engaged! Join us for the 15th Annual Fist Up Film Festival for a world of thought-provoking cinema, carefully curated. 

We’re thrilled to announce our collaboration with Fist Up Film Festival for October 2024! Presenting contemporary films that leave a lasting impact, inspire meaningful discussions, promote awareness, and encourage empathy.

This film festival uniquely bridges the gap between global and local communities, weaving together shared experiences from diverse backgrounds. These curated films amplify the voices of historically marginalized communities, honoring their stories and lived experiences. We invite you to be a part of this meaningful evening through our screenings and engaging Q&A sessions!

Admission is donation-based, with a suggested $15 contribution. Join us in celebrating the power of film and storytelling!

FIRST NIGHT: Culture Keepers (A Night of Short Films)

FILMS:

• AscenDance (17min) – Directed by Spencer Wilkinson As the pandemic shuts down Oakland’s streets in the midst of the BLM Protests and fight for racial justice, artists attempt their largest mural yet determined to use their artistic expression to amplify the cause. “We are honored to present ‘AscenDance,’ a film that inspires communities to use the power of art to address social justice issues and to celebrate our cultural diversity.” – Consuelo Alba https://www.instagram.com/alicestreet_ascendance/
• Home (5min) – Directed by Jason Nichols What is home? What does it feel like to be home? How do you care for your home?
• Becoming Her (23min) Directed by Arshley Tony Emile Becoming her is a portrait documentary that takes the audience on a journey that navigates through insecurity, self discovery, tragedy and purpose. The film is meant to inspire little black and brown girls around the world to relentlessly pursue their dreams. https://www.instagram.com/timberhousefilms
• Anansi the Spider (5min) – Directed by Jared Hall Despite his small size, Anansi the Spider has gotten into some big trouble. Will he be able to talk his way out? Or will someone shut Anansi up… permanently. https://www.instagram.com/thatishall/
• Ceiba Y Sus Raíces Taínas (4min) – Directed by Brithney Rivera Disaster strikes the island of Puerto Rico as Guabancex, Spirit of Chaos, leads a Hurricane. Ceiba, a disabled young woman in a wheelchair, calls upon the Spirit of Protection , Yúcahu, to prevent catastrophic doom. Ceiba realizes that only she has the power to stop the storm from destroying her beautiful island.https://www.instagram.com/ceibaysusraicestainas_thesis/
• Son of Samoa (10min) – Directored by Laman Time Son of Samoa takes you through the journey of Tatau. Identity is explored in a way physically, spiritually and mentally that most have not endured. https://filmfreeway.com/LamanTime
• Sol in the Garden (21min) Directed by Emily Cohen Ibañez & Débora Souza Silva After 16 years of incarceration, Sol is released from prison, when she discovers that coming into her own freedom can be as challenging as living behind bars. Through a community gardening collective of formerly incarcerated horticulturalists in East Oakland, Sol strives to recover her humanity and sense of self.
• Canoe Connections (4min) Directed by Reeva Billy An essential element of maintaining culture in First Nations communities is nurturing the practice of knowledge keepers passing on their cultural wisdom. An example of the transference of knowledge from one generation of Squamish Nation War Canoe builders to the next.
• Paddle Tribal Waters – (4min) Directed by Rush Sturges When the largest dam removal project in history begins, a group of indigenous youth learn to whitewater kayak in hopes of becoming the first people to paddle the restored river from source to sea. https://www.riostorivers.org/paddle-tribal-waters