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By Y’Anad Burrell

On June 1, the acclaimed Los Angeles-based Indie Night Film Festival arrived at the Kabuki Theater in San Francisco.

San Francisco native Dave Brown, Founder and CEO of the Indie Night Film Festival, has a vision for the film industry that is squarely focused on promoting the many talented producers, actors, and designers contributing to this billion-dollar industry.  The festival has been running for 12 years and it’s only up from here, he says.

A weekly celebration of cinematic artistry designed to elevate emerging talent while providing a platform for networking and collaboration, entrepreneur Dave Brown created Indie Night to bridge gaps within the filmmaking community by fostering connections between like-minded individuals worldwide. The Indie Film Festival currently has over 450 film submissions worldwide, and its cinematic vault only continues to grow.

The festival showcased over 10 short films and trailers, and featured Faces of the “City: Fighting for the Soul of America,” produced by veteran actor Tisha Campbell.  This film is about the vibrancy and legacy of San Francisco. The festival also previewed “When It Reigns,” a trailer by Oakland’s burgeoning filmmaker Jamaica René.

Indie films have not just challenged traditional cinematic norms; they’ve shattered them. These films offer unique storytelling perspectives and push creative boundaries in truly inspiring ways. With their smaller budgets and independent spirit, they often tackle unconventional subjects and portray diverse characters, providing a refreshing alternative to mainstream cinema. As a result, indie films have resonated with audiences seeking an escape from formulaic blockbusters and are increasingly celebrated for their authenticity and originality.

Organizers say the mission of Indie Night is to elevate the craft of independent artists and creators. It also provides a venue for them to showcase their work, network, and exchange information with new and established creatives. It creates a community that values and supports independent art.

For more about the Indie Night Film Festival, visit www.indienightfilmfestival.com.

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By Carla Thomas 

The Castlemont High School Alumni Association hosted their 20th Anniversary Luncheon and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, May 18 in the school’s Phil Reeder Performing Arts Center at 8601 MacArthur Blvd. in East Oakland.

The Distinguished Knight in Shining Armor Alumni Award was presented to Jerrold Curry, class of 1971, Henry Tingle, ’74; Dr. Sandra Weatherby, ’83; Dr. Brenda (Johnson) Knight, ’70 and Dr. Doris Limbrick, ’71.

Dr. Knight thanked her supporters and spoke of being mindful of what you do in life, because someone is always watching. Knight graduated from Castlemont in 1970. When her three sons were young, playing Babe Ruth Baseball in Oakland, she went on to become the first female president of the organization and changed the entire fabric of the league.

Knight has had two special invitations to the White House: one for sports during her time with Babe Ruth Baseball and one during her time as a Community College Trustee.

In 1996, Brenda Knight founded the Ladies in Red, a women’s empowerment group. At the age of 50, she graduated, with honors, from Laney Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Social Sciences and continued her education at Saint Mary’s College receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Management.

For the past three years, Knight has been the event coordinator for the FREE Juneteenth Celebration for the City of American Canyon and is currently running for city council. Brenda has been married to her husband, Harvey, for 50 years.

Dr. Doris Limbrick, a senior pastor of Acts Full Gospel Church, praised God for the recognition and shared the good news of the gospel. Limbrick spoke of becoming pregnant during high school yet still graduated with her class. Limbrick is the founder of GirlTalk, a women’s empowerment group. With her husband Anthony of 40 plus years, children, and grandchildren in attendance Limbrick said, “I enjoyed my school years, but these days, I’m all about sharing the love of God in Jesus Christ with everyone,” she said.

Limbrick is an active member of the Pastors of Oakland organization and retired from Pacific Bell in 1993, after 21 years of service to work full time in the ministry.  In 1999, she received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Sacramento School of Theology for being the founder of Acts Christian Academy’s K-8th grade school.

In 2007, she was nominated and selected to attend Oxford University in Oxford, England (Pembrooke College). She is a lifelong member of the Oxford University Roundtable. In 2008, Limbrick organized Bridging the Gap Foundation in the City of Oakland, and was presented with a proclamation from then-Mayor Ron Dellums honoring September 13 as “Unity in the Community Day.”

Dr. Sandra Weather, an internist for Kaiser Permanente said Black doctors in the community inspired her to become a doctor and humbly accepted her award. “I like to help healthy people stay well and when they’re sick, get well.”
The Phil Reeder Performing Arts Alumni Award was presented to Richard “Dimples” Fields, class of 1969 posthumously and Wilton Rabb, ’78; and Paul Wade, ’69.

Rabb, a guitarist who has performed globally with Prince, Graham Central Station and other music legends thanked his family and said, “I plan to continue making great music and bringing good into the world.”

The son of Richard “Dimples” Fields spoke on behalf of his father on stage with family members who flew in for the ceremony.

The Sports Hall of Fame Alumni Award was presented to Jerrold Curry, class of ’72, Charles Mitchell, ’72; Gerald Morgan, ’71; John Roberts, ’71; and Adrian Rodgers, ’71.

Curry and Mitchell reminisced on their record-breaking winning streaks with the OAL Track and Field competitions. “I plan to create a scholarship here to support the next generation of students,” said Curry.

The event also listed multiple scholarships and their recipients.
De’ core’ a Y. Reed, Israel Y. Section Zuno received the CHSAA Scholarship. Jennifer Garcia Ramirez and Guadalupe Flores Serrano received the John Mackey Award. The Class of ’71 Friends Forever Scholarship recipients included Lizbeth Ramirez, De’ core’ a Y. Reed, and Guadalupe Flores Serrano. The Richard Vanucci – Bob Balandra Trade School Scholarship was presented to Edgar Manzo Basurto, Angel Cuellar, and Kevin Yax.

“The achievements of Castlemont High are worthy of recognition,” said CHSAA President with CHSAA Vice President and HoF Chair Dana Malone Hubert.

Alumni and Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton, co-founder of the alumni association shared the group’s history. A tribute to educator Phil Reeder was presented by Larry Batiste, class of ’74 and Claytoven Richardson, ’74.

The school’s courtyard served as the banquet area featuring lunch by Michael Lathan, class of ’79 of Southern Jazz Kitchen and dessert were made by Deloris Whitehead Joseph, ’69 and Angela Banks Copeland, ’80. Music was provided by Jorge Watson, ’75 of Hillside Productions.

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