Oakland International Film Festival Brings Independent Stories, Political History and Community to the Screen

KPFA - Hard Knock Radio · Sep 8, 2026 · 59m

Hard Knock Radio host Davey D sat down with filmmaker and cultural organizer David Roach to discuss the 24th annual Oakland International Film Festival, an 11-day celebration of independent cinema, community conversation and stories too often pushed outside the mainstream. Roach reflected on how dramatically filmmaking and distribution have changed since the festival began. Digital projection and streaming have made it easier to create and circulate films, but Davey D questioned whether that access is as open as it appears. With a handful of billionaires controlling major platforms…