AMERICAN POT STORY: OAKSTERDAM
When it was time to spark a cannabis revolution, they answered the call.
The unknown origin story of how a handful of underdogs risked everything to ignite the current worldwide revolution in cannabis policy.
Reflecting Oakland, California’s rich history of civil resistance, they opened the first ever cannabis college, Oaksterdam University, and got Prop 19 - a measure to legalize cannabis - on the ballot in California, thus bringing this taboo topic to the mainstream and opening a conversation on its social justice impact.
Filmed over a decade, this groundbreaking film illuminates the power of the activist, no matter the cause.
Synopsis
Cannabis in America has had an evolution of epic proportions over the last decade and filmmakers Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus were there to record it. They spent 10 years following a "small group of concerned committed citizens" (per Margaret Mead) who opened Oaksterdam University and fought to get Prop 19 - a measure to legalize cannabis - on the ballot in California, thus bringing this taboo topic to the mainstream.
Among those rebels are Oaksterdam University Founder Richard Lee, who after becoming paraplegic, discovered cannabis provides him relief better than some traditional medications, and Executive Chancellor Dale Sky Jones, a woman with a heartbreaking past, who found her voice and calling after becoming part of the Oaksterdam family.
From facing public scrutiny and international press to withstanding a federal raid that threatened it all, their roller coaster ride towards legalization is as tense as it is inspiring. A true American tale, their fight serves as a reminder of how democracy can work when people come together. The documentary is not just an important historical chronicle of a time and a movement, but also a lesson on how change transpires in this country.
Upcoming Screenings
Moorpark Film Festival
Sunday, September 8, 2024 at 4:45pm
Moorpark, CA
Q&A with director Dan Katzir to follow the screening + afterparty
Ticket link
Offshore Art & Film Festival
September 13-14 2024
Montauk, NY
Ticket link
Visionaries Film Festival
Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 5pm
The Lumiere Music Hall in Beverly Hills, CA
Q&A with directors Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus to follow the screening + afterparty
Ticket link
GTX Film Festival
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Georgetown, TX
Ticket link
SANTA BARBARA PREMIERE
Santa Barbara Indie Film Festival
Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 6:30pm
Santa Barbara, CA
Q&A with directors Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus to follow the screening + afterparty
Ticket link
We Regret To Inform You Film Festival
October 2024
Austin, TX
Ticket link
Nawada International Film Festival 5th Season
October 2024
Nawada, Bihar, India
Berlin Indie Film Festival
November 2024
Berlin, Germany
Ticket link
Festival Internacional de Cine en Ensenada
November 2024
Ensanada, Mexico
Ticket link
Titan International Film Festival
November 2024
Sydney, Australia
Ticket link
SamhainBaucogna International Film Festival
November 2024
Europe
Ticket link
10th Anticensura Film Festival
January 2025
11th ARFF Barcelona // International Awards
March 2025
Barcelona, Spain
Ticket link
Past Screenings
WORLD PREMIERE
Slamdance Film Festival
Friday, January 20, 2023 at 10:15am
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 4:15pm
Monday, January 25, 2023 at 8:05pm
Q&A with directors Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus
WEST COAST PREMIERE
Dances With Films: LA
Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 7:00pm
TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood
Q&A with directors Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus
featuring Tommy Chong
Topanga Film Festival
Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 3:00pm
Q&A with directors Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus
NEW YORK PREMIERE
Dances With Films: NY
Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 4:15pm
Regal Union Square, NYC
Q&A with Director Ravit Markus and film participant Dale Sky Jones
hosted by Oaksterdam Nonprofit for Education
NEVADA PREMIERE
Indie Vegas Film Festival
Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 8pm
Century 18 & XD Theater @ The Orleans Hotel and Casino
VIP reception at Jardin Attended by Dale Sky Jones, Priscilla Agoncillo and Directors Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus
ARKANSAS PREMIERE
Hot Springs Women’s Film Festival
At the historic Malco Theater
Hot Springs National Park
Sunday, May 12th, 2024 at 5:50pm
The Valley Film Festival
Tuesday, August 6th, 2024
Laemmle NOHO, North Hollywood, CA
Atlanta Underground Film Festival
Friday, August 16, 2024 at 2pm
Limelight Theater, Atlanta, GA
Freedom Festival International
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Columbia, South Carolina
NEW JERSEY PREMIERE
Lighthouse Intl Film Festival
Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 3:45pm
hosted by Arcview Management Consulting
at Firefly Gallery
KEVIN SMITH’S
Smodcastle Film Festival
Friday, October 13, 2023 at 9:30pm
Smodcastle Cinemas, Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Q&A with directors Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus
gift bags: Simply Pure Trenton; edibles: Blazin Bakery
FLORIDA PREMIERE
Ft Lauderdale Intl Film Festival
Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 7:00pm
Q&A with directors Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus
and film participants Dale Sky Jones and Jeff Jones
Saint Augustine Film Festival (SAFF)
Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 1:15pm
New Bedford Film Festival
Friday, April 19, 2024 at 11:00am
Groundwork, 1213 Purchase St, New Bedford, MA 02740
TVHi Film Festival
Saturday, April 27, 2024
LOOK Dine-In Cinemas, Glendale, CA
Austin International Film Festival
Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 9:00am
Galaxy Theaters, Austin
Holly Weird Film Festival
Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 2:00pm
The Good Night, North Hollywood, CA
Q&A with Directors Dan Katzir and Ravit Markus
Santa Maria Music & Film Festival
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Santa Maria Open Air Cinema, Philippines
Fort Smith International Film Festival
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Fort Smith, Texas
Bios
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![Dale Sky Jones]()
Dale Sky Jones (Main character)
Executive Chancellor
President & CEO, Board of Directors -
![Dan Katzir]()
Dan Katzir
Writer
Director -
![Ravit Markus]()
Ravit Markus
Producer
Director -
![Richard Lee]()
Richard Lee (Main character)
Founder
Oaksterdam University
About New Love Films
New Love Films is a Los Angeles based creative company that produces award-winning critically-acclaimed content for film, television, and digital platforms. Our films aired on HBO, Channel 4 UK, and France 2, to name a few; played in movie theaters across the US garnering stellar reviews in the LA TIMES, NY TIMES, and the Hollywood Reporter, as well as many other publications; and have been screened in hundreds of film festivals, Ivy League universities, museums and other educational institutions around the world. We collaborate with networks, non-profit and corporate clients in the US, Europe and Israel, providing production services from inception, through research, all the way to post-production. Past clients include Mentorn/Channel 4 UK, Channels 8, 10 and 1 Israel.
Executive Producers
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![Rick Rosenthal]()
Rick Rosenthal
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![Professor Yael Katzir]()
Professor Yael Katzir
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![Dahlia Waingort Guigui]()
Dahlia Waingort Guigui
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![Lati Grobman]()
Lati Grobman
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![Asher Alkoby]()
Asher Alkoby
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![Eviatar Dotan]()
Eviatar Dotan
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![Ayal Nitzan]()
Ayal Nitzan
