Just three weeks ago the city hosted the Oakland International LGBT Film Festival. Next weekend the Oakland International Film Festival screens 64 films at the Grand Lake Theater and the Malonga Casquelourd Cultural Center.

"I think there is definitely a renaissance in the art community of Oakland," said festival founder David Roach, a former teacher at McClymonds and Castlemont high schools. "Oakland is starting to have self-determination and tell our stories. It's part of the spirit of Oakland."

Roach was taking care of the loose ends, making sure the filmmakers coming to town have accomodations, replacing a film that was pulled at the last minute.

"We think we've got it under control," he said, sounding just slightly as if he was trying to convince himself. His own experience organizing screenings for one of his films inspired him to start the festival four years ago. That and a "Welcome to Oakland."

"I was coming back from the San Francisco Film Festival and when I saw the sign, I thought, 'Why doesn't Oakland have a film festival?' As a filmmaker, you rent theaters to do private screenings. You try to get distributors to come and watch the film. It involves time and expense. A film festival helps validate these as quality films. You have more of a chance of getting support from a distributer and producer."

He described the festival as "a little baby." Organizers are still struggling to get the word out. But he understands the process takes time.

"At Sundance, Robert Redford said he used to go out on the street and beg people to come in to see the films," he said.

This year, the quality of the entries to Oakland's festival improved, Roach believes because of a new entrance fee. Out of more than 300 entries, the organizers chose 64 by Oakland, national and international filmmakers.

They include several that have won recognition at other festivals, including the opening film, "Constellation," directed by Jordan Walker-Pearlmen, starring Billy Dee Williams, Zoe Saldana, Leslie Ann Warren and Ray Dawn Chung; "Jujuluv" by Bay Area filmmaker Lisbon Obieze Okafor; and "Karmen Gie," an adaptation of the opera "Carmen," by Senegalese filmmaker Joseph Gai Ramaka.

This year festival organizers started getting inquiries from potential corporate sponsors.

"They're calling us," Roach said with a little disbelief. "We've been trying to flag them down, and now they're calling us."

To help publicize the festival, Oakland author and screenwriter Gini Graham Scott is organizing a reception for filmmakers, producers and political and business leaders.

"The festival has great potential," she said. "I want to introduce the film community to the business community. There isn't just a film festival in Mill Valley and San Francisco. Oakland has one too."

Scott also has a business that helps screenwriters and filmmakers connect with producers and agents.

Roach said the festival also strengthens the local filmmaking community.

"We have an Oakland filmmakers' night. It's just beautiful to see grandparents there to see the works done by the youth. It's a community event. It's how you build community and expose films that are often overlooked."

With all of its progress, Roach said the festival is still a long way from where he'd like to see it.

"If we stay true to what we're doing, it can become the kind of event that appreciates everybody. It's not about just mainstream Hollywood, but about the smaller stories, the small people who have maintained their dignity and spirit and culture. It will create opportunities for other filmmakers to get exposure," he said.

Film Fair Gala reception, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Linen Life Park Avenue Gallery, 1375 Park St., Emeryville. Free. Call 339-1625 to Rsvp.

Oakland International Film Festival, Thursday to Sept. 22, screenings at the Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave. and the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., both in Oakland. For screening times, other festival events and ticket information, visit http://www.oiff.org.

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