The 14th Annual Oceanside Intl Film Festival Has Arrived! Kicking off Tuesday, February 18th and Running Through Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 at The Brooks Theater, OIFF ’25 is Proud to Present 5 Days of Cinema, Art & Community right in the Heart of one of California’s 14 Designated Cultural Districts. Championed by the Universal Topics of Environment, Acceptance, Individuality & of course, The Surf, we Invite both Filmmakers and Film Goers alike to Experience what 2025 has to Offer for Attendees of OIFF. Presented by our Sponsors at Visit Oceanside, we thank you for Supporting the Voices of Independent Film as well as for Supporting Cinema Houses in Times of Need. We’ll see you at the Movies.

Schedule of Events

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2025

12:00PM – FOXTROT: OPERATION REUNIFICATION // FEATURE PRESENTATION

In 1991, Navy and Marines set up a life-saving hospital in scorching Desert Storm conditions, treating hundreds of casualties and successfully completing their mission despite numerous hardships. Upon returning to the States, they face a new battle on the home front: grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder alongside their families. United by their wartime experiences, their camaraderie becomes their anchor as they confront PTSD and the haunting memories of war. (80 Min, Featuring Camp Pendleton Veterans, United States)

Director: Roberto Sierra Oregel

Writer: Roberto Sierra Oregel

Producer: Roberto Sierra Oregel, Captain JT Coyne, Andy Ortega, Saraí Maldonado, Rodolfo Lara, Admiral Michael Baker

TO BE FOLLOWED BY Q&A WITH ATTENDING FILMMAKERS AND 10 MINUTE BREAK

PROGRAMMING WILL CONTINUE AT 2:00PM

2:00PM – WATER MAVERICKS // SHORTS PROGRAM

This collection of narrative & nonfiction shorts provides a deep focus on our festival’s namesake. These four shorts dive into all aspects of our oceans, whether that be in a most literal or personal sense. From reminding audiences of their vulnerable state to sharing their power for one’s passion, WATER MAVERICKS hosts a group of filmmakers who are just that and who provide an invaluable message on treating our planet with utmost respect.

2:00PM – MUTUAL TIDES

This film follows the budding friendship between a Sea Creature and a Deep Sea Diver, and explores the question of what happens to companions when the circumstances of life begin to tear them away from each other. (7 Min, Animation, United States)

Director: Christian Gregg

Writer: Christian Gregg, Lavender Birch

Producer: Christian Washington

2:07PM – WILD SEA

“Wild Sea“ is a captivating short documentary that delves into the life of Jeff Allen, a trailblazing figure in the world of Sea Kayaking. The film traces Jeff’s journey from his

formative years to his role as one of the foremost Sea Kayak guides and coaches of our time. As we accompany Jeff on his odyssey, we are immersed in the depths of his past, including his experiences in the military and are granted access to his own personal traumas. The film illuminates the transformative power of the sea as Jeff finds purpose and healing through his connection with the ocean. In particular, his 2004 Japan circumnavigation serves as a poignant testament to the cathartic influence of the ocean environment on his life. “Wild Sea“ is a poignant exploration of resilience, redemption, and the profound bond between humanity and the sea, offering a profound testament to the healing power of nature. (15 Min, Germany)

Director: Tom Vetteri

Cast: Jeff Allen, James Aiken

Producer: Tom Vetteri

2:22PM – BAHARI BINGWA, THE TURTLE PROTECTOR

Sammy Safari is a ranger with Bahari Hai, a marine conservation nonprofit organization that works to empower coastal communities to manage and protect their own resources in East Africa. Sammy runs an anti-poaching team that protects sea turtles. This is his story. (7 Min, Kenya)

Director: Samuel Wanjohi

Cast: Sammy Safari

2:30PM – SHAPED BY THE SEA

Take a journey through time as surfer and shaper Bill Minard reflects on over 50 years in the surfing industry (33 Min, United States)

Director Jared Jacobsen

Cast: Bill Minard

TO BE FOLLOWED BY Q&A WITH ATTENDING FILMMAKERS AND 10 MINUTE BREAK

PROGRAMMING WILL CONTINUE AT 3:45PM

3:45PM – ABOUT CLOUT // SHORTS PROGRAM

Social Media’s influence in our world effects everything from newfound societal hierarchy to how we may choose to consume our art. The eternal pursuit of that rush garnered from virality is a journey adorned with many impressive peaks, but rarely an end to the climb itself. These lighthearted shorts comment on a range of trending ideas, from the stranglehold of technology to making sure time with friends is more sigma & less Ohio. Follow us and enjoy a lineup of films that are in one way or another, all about clout. Just make sure you put your phones away during the film

3:45PM – REBOOT

A boy that’s too addicted to his computer gets a reality check when a file corruption causes him to get ****** into a digital disaster and unknowingly brings his avatar to life. (3 Min, Savannah, GA)

Director: Tyra Pacheco

Writer: Tyra Pacheco, Liv Bullock

Cast: Iman Jones

Producer: Imi Hunter

7:48PM – HOW NOT TO BE A CLIMATE ACTIVIST

Climate collapse is imminent. Perhaps you are wondering what to do. Here’s not what to do. (5 Min, United States)

Director: Gabriel Diamond

Cast: Lars Adams

Producer: Phil Collis

7:52PM – YEAR OF BEES

“A delightful and timeless portrait of two oddball friends trying to keep some bees alive on a 300 year old farm in New York City.” James is a novice bee-keeper and the custodian of New York City’s 1600s farmhouse museum called The Wyckoff House. Joined by his fumbling city friend Jason, the odd couple tends to the bees and works on the farm together over the course of 4 seasons. Exploring the complexities of urban ecology and the millennial quest for self-sufficiency, the short and sweet documentary is at its heart an affectionate ode to friendship. (12 Min, New York, NY)

Director: Tingerine

Writer: Jason Sprung

Cast: James Scales, Jason Sprung

Producer: Jason Sprung, Tingerine

4:05PM – ROLLING FOR RIZZ

A father hopes to connect with his teenage daughter by playing DnD. (8 Min, Oceanside, CA)

Director: David Sean Dawson, Jordan Jacobo

Writer: Jordan Jacobo, Joseph Ravago, Elizabeth “Eliee” Connolly

Cast: David S Dawson, Jordan Jacobo, Joseph

Ravago, Topa Black Calf, Trinity Gomez Connolly, Bryan Ketih Davis, Randy Davison, Whitney Wegman-Wood, Sean Davis

Producer: David Sean Dawson, Anne Ziesmer, Jen McCleary Allen, Kamaile Elderts

4:15PM – EAT HOT CHIP & LIE

After a woman gets manipulated into becoming a hot sauce influencer by her TikTok-obsessed frenemy, she must find a way to exact revenge before the spice kills her. (15 Min, United States)

Director: Anders Kapur

Writer: Anders Kapur

Cast: Pepper-Alise Morales, Bubbles-Lizzy Kircher

4:30PM – BEETHOVEN’S GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GRANDCHILD

The last living descendant of Beethoven tries to capitalize on their heritage, but they have no musical talent whatsoever. (12 Min, Pasadena, CA)

Director: Daniel Maggio

Writer: Daniel Maggio

Cast: Hunter Hawkins, Jason Nicholls

Producer: Daniel Maggio

TO BE FOLLOWED BY Q&A WITH ATTENDING FILMMAKERS AND 10 MINUTE BREAK

PROGRAMMING WILL CONTINUE AT 5:20PM

5:20PM – THESE WALLS // NARRATIVE SHORTS PROGRAM

THESE WALLS showcases a series of dramatic stories focusing on souls seeking refuge in the midst of political & internal conflict. These narrative shorts resonate universally through artists utilizing their craft as a means to enlighten a world to its globally faced issues. Enjoy this final lineup of independent cinema and be sure to stay for our closing night award show.

5:20PM – JASMINE

Jasmine, a young Syrian artist was preparing for a meal with her mother when a bomb went off destroying their home and all that they had. After a panicked escape they make it safely outside only to find the destruction that remains in their war torn city. An aid worker recovers

Jasmine’s sketchbook leading us on a journey of hope and resolve for their future. (2 Min, Los Angeles, CA)

Director: Tom Caulfield

Writer: Charles Solomon

Cast: Rahaf Seahdh

Producer: Aubry Mintz, Frank Gladstone(EP), Mark Jones(EP)

5:22PM – SEVEN JEWISH CHILDREN

Based on the play by Caryl Churchill, this film shows the Jewish journey from Russia in 1903 to Palestine in 2009. It humanizes and visualizes the progression from oppressed to oppressors whilst imploring it’s audience for open conversation and empathy. Raising money for

the Medical Aid for Palestinians organization. (15 Min, United Kingdom)

Director: Omri Dayan

Writer: Omri Dayan, Caryl Churchill

Cast: Alice Wallis, Sam Ebner-Landy, Clara Francis, Ami Dayan, Rivka Michaeli, Cameron Wright

Producer: Omri Dayan, Tripti Rai, Brian Cox(EP)

5:37PM – DAMMI

Returning to Paris, his birthplace, a man (Riz Ahmed) moves through the memories of his past and surreal fragments of the present, searching to connect with his estranged father. On his journey, he meets a French Algerian woman (Souheila Yacoub) who welcomes him into her world. As intimacy grows, he is confronted with his shames and fears while exploring his lost Arab identity… Behind Paris is Algiers. (16 Min, United Kingdom/France)

Screening Out of Competition

Director: Yann Mounir Demange

Writer: Yann Mounir Demange & Rosa Attab

Cast: Riz Ahmed, Souheila Yacoub

5:55PM – KEEP

Gordon, the former keeper of a lighthouse now turned into a museum, is desperate for someone to help him maintain the site. When Musa, an Afghan refugee, comes knocking on his door, Gordon finally finds the helper he has been waiting for. The two men become friends, confronting their respective cultures and pasts with humor and kindness. But when Gordon discovers the true intentions of Musa’s visit, he is faced with a moral dilemma that upsets all his certainties. (20 Min, United Kingdom)

Director: Lewis Rose

Writer: Lewis Rose

Cast: Gordon-Phil Davies, Musa-Weyal Bariz

Producer: Laura Jumel, Chris Hees

6:15PM – LAST CALL

Last Call tells the story of Kate(Lindsay Duncan), a desperate mother who is trying to reconnect with her son(Tom Holland). Navigating an obvious void, Kate will finally have the chance to ask the questions that have haunted her past, and will decide her future. A meditative perspective on the complexity of depression and grief and search for understanding and absolution. (19 Min, United Kingdom)

Director: Harry Holland

Writer: Harry Holland, Will South

Cast: Lindsay Duncan, Tom Holland, Trevor Murphy

Producer: Marie-Elena Dyche, Benjamin Perkins

TO BE FOLLOWED BY Q&A WITH ATTENDING FILMMAKERS AND 30 MINUTE BREAK

THE OIFF 2025 AWARD SHOW WILL COMMENCE AT 7:30PM

7:30PM – THE 2025 OCEANSIDE INTL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD SHOW

A returning tradition to every closing night of the Oceanside International Film Festival is our Annual Award Show on the stage of The Brooks Theater. This year, festival staff and a host of guest presenters will bestow nearly 20 awards to filmmakers as accoladed by the OIFF 2025 Grand Jury. The award show is open to all possessing an Award Show Ticket or a Full Festival Pass. We invite you to enjoy our festivities as we wrap up our 2025 seasons in style. The OIFF 2025 Grand Jury is a private group comprised of industry professionals who remain separate from festival staff & programmers throughout the year. The Grand Jury do not interact nor delegate with one another during their voting window to ensure a fair and unbiased process. Nominations will be released in the coming weeks. Please Follow us on social media and check back for updates.

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Date: February 18 -22, 2025