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Keke Palmer is part of the star-studded cast of Boots Riley’s new film “I Love Boosters.” (Credit: Courtesy of NEON)<\/p>\n
OAKLAND, Calif. – Oakland\u2019s visionary filmmaker Boots Riley rarely misses an opportunity to feature his city in his projects, and that\u2019s proven to be the case in his next, highly anticipated, star-studded film “I Love Boosters.”<\/p>\n
Riley\u2019s latest movie project is set to have its world premiere next month, as it has been chosen as the\u00a0Opening Night film for the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival<\/a> in Austin, Texas.\u00a0<\/p>\n True to his signature avant-garde directorial style,\u00a0“I Love Boosters” is a fantastical, politically charged, satirical film, a “mind-bending story,” according SWSX, about a savvy crew of shoplifters known as the Velvet Gang that\u00a0take aim at a “cutthroat fashion maven.” They then resell the high-end pieces at a lower price, \u00e0 la Robin Hood.<\/p>\n It takes place in Oakland, with an impressive cast which includes Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Demi Moore, Taylour Paige, Lakeith Stanfield, Poppy Liu, Will Poulter, Eiza Gonzales, and\u00a0Don Cheadle.<\/p>\n The official teaser trailer for “I Love Boosters” was released last month.<\/p>\n Boots Riley at SXSW <\/p>\n What they’re saying:<\/p>\n “15 minutes in, I turned to my colleague: \u2018This is opening night.\u2019 A statement, not a question,” Vice President of SXSW TV & Film Claudette Godfrey said in comments shared with KTVU in an email.<\/p>\n Riley\u2019s sophomore film debut will be the third time he will be featured in the annual SXSW gathering of creators involved in innovative and diverse film, television and extended reality projects.<\/p>\n He first appeared at the festival in 2018 with his debut film “Sorry To Bother You.” In 2023, he returned with the world premiere of his popular comedy miniseries “I’m A Virgo.”<\/p>\n “Boots Riley is a fearless, unapologetic, radical visionary\u2014fiercely true to himself. That\u2019s exactly what SXSW exists to champion, and it\u2019s been our privilege to platform his work over the years,” Godfrey said, adding, “I Love Boosters is next level. He\u2019s crafted and curated another wildly original, singular, and delightfully unpredictable world.”<\/p>\n Local activism\u00a0 <\/p>\n The backstory:<\/p>\n Born Raymond Lawrence Riley in Chicago, his family moved to Oakland when he was 6 years old. Riley attended Oakland High School.\u00a0<\/p>\n Both his parents were social justice activists and the filmmaker’s involvement in political scenes and activism began at a young age.\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2023, Riley sat down<\/a> with a group of Oakland high schoolers and talked about his work and about growing up in The Town, as he shared stories of his activism roots dating back to his high school days when he helped organize a student walk-out.<\/p>\n SEE ALSO: Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance showcased Puerto Rico’s rich history<\/a><\/p>\n He has played a prominent and influential role in Occupy Oakland<\/a>, a movement against capitalism and police brutality.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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