Thank You Oakland!

I did a lot of growing up in Oakland.  I took a year off from college and spent it in Oakland, working at a daycare center, playing capoeira and living with my father after being separated for ten years.  After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, I moved to Oakland and lived there for four more years, immersed in the Oakland Renaissance, performing spoken word with Ten Poets Plus A Mic, interning at Bay Area Video Coalition, and gearing up to make my first feature film in Cuba, Cubamor.  So needless to say, I have LOVE for OAKLAND... ALL DAY!  So what a blessing to have a two day run at the New Parkway Cinema to packed houses and epic Q n A session.  Thursday's Q n A went past midnight and we were asked to leave and folks continued on the sidewalk, and Sunday's went on for 90 minutes!!!!  Thankfully, the run has been documented by the illustrious Oakland Local news.

http://oaklandlocal.com/2013/11/oakulture-joshua-bee-alafia-does-the-right-thing-skins-naked-vibe-pimps-of-joytimes-groove-attack-lungomares-sunday-soul-throw-down/

Let's Stay Together is coming to Oakland!

It's a new day for independent filmmakers.  As box office ticket sales are low, cinemas are finding themselves in a more collaborative role with filmmakers via third party self distribution websites like www.tugg.com and www.brownpapertickets.com as well as with curators and even directly with filmmakers themselves.  The bronze leafed doors have opened, as audiences demand a more dynamic range of films that may get them to leave their internet entertainment stations and come to the cinema.
As I found myself in with little options to screen Let's Stay Together in Oakland via tugg.com, I called on my friend Michael Orange, of http://broaklyn.org/ and asked if there was a possibility to blaze together a screening on short notice (10 days.)  He talked to the good folks at the New Parkway Theater and they agreed to give us a shot; Thursday, November 7th at 9:30pm.  A brownpapertickets event was created for pre-sales with the incentive that if we sell enough pre-sold tickets, they will add screenings.  This is an illustration of folks coming together to let independent cinema have an audience and start the conversations going!  So, friends in Oakland, please purchase your ticket in advance so we can show the Parkview that we can rock a strong run there!  Your unity is much appreciloved!
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/508294

Coming to Los Angeles at the Pan African Film Festival Feb. 11, 15, 16

Friends, we're happy to announce we will be screening in Los Angeles at the Pan African Film Festival Monday February 11th at 2:20pm, Friday February 15th at 1:15pm and Saturday February 16th at 7:25pm.  Hope to see my LA Massive strong!
Screenings will be at:
Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills 15
4020 Marlton Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90008
http://www.paff.org/lets-stay-together/