deadCenter Film

We’re kicking off season two of the deadCenter Film Podcast with an award-winning trio of local legends. 🎬🎙️ Join host Nick Hodge for an in-depth look at World Premiere with Paris Lawson, Michael Zubach, and Nick Gallo of Oklahoma City Thunder Films! Available now wherever you get your podcasts.

Happy birthday to Festival ICON and Manager of Festival + Operations, Sierra Cooper-Haag! Sierra is a Norman resident, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, and of Kiowa and European descent. Sierra has volunteered at various events across the state — like Norman Film Fest, Opening Night, and Festival of the Arts — but has always considered deadCenter her family. She has been a dedicated volunteer since 2014, and was invited to serve as a Box Office Chair for the Festival Committee Board in 2018. In 2023, Sierra was named a Festival ICON due to her years of leadership. Last year, Sierra was hired as deadCenter’s Festival Manager + Operations, bringing to life in new and exciting ways. We are so grateful for you, Sierra! Happy, happy birthday!

Happy birthday to our dear friend and Director of Programming, Sunrise Tippeconnie! An enrolled member of the Comanche Tribe and of Diné descent, Sunrise has freelanced in independent film production for over a decade, working for directors such as Michael Winterbottom, Nick Cassavetes, William H. Macy, David Lowery, Sophie Goodhart, Todd Lincoln, Heather Rae, Yen Tan, Paul Harrill, Sterlin Harjo, and Blackhorse Lowe. He’s also programmed the Nextframe Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand’s short’s market, and Native Crossroads Film Festival. Tippeconnie’s American Indian-focused works including ‘Leave Durov to the Dogs’ (2011) and ‘Anticipation for Land in 2089’ (2008), which have shown worldwide, including at the Heard Museum, imagineNATIVE Film & Media Arts Festival, and the National Museum of the American Indian. His selections impact thousands of Oklahomans year-round through deadCenter Continuum, and he’s currently hard at work on our biggest festival lineup yet. Happy birthday, Sunrise! 🎥🎉

We’re teaming up with Metro Tech Wellness and Windswept Media for an event featuring Project Blackbird, including a screening of the short film 'Blackbird' (2022) followed by a conversation between actor/producer Alexandra Miles, actor Kendra Williams, writer/filmmaker Rachael Vaughn, and local filmmakers. This timely tour turns 'Blackbird' into a much larger conversation regarding discrepancies and stigmas in the treatment and discussion of mental health. Around 10,200 people die a year as a direct result of an eating disorder. That's one person every 52 seconds. Project Blackbird’s goal is to encourage connection, understanding, and vulnerability surrounding eating disorders and mental health struggles – specifically in underrepresented and underserved communities. Admission is FREE with RSVP thanks to the support of Allied Arts OKC! Reserve your spot(s) today and make plans to join us on Wednesday, September 25. Learn more at bit.ly/3T9YFZ1.

Season two of the deadCenter Film Podcast arrives Monday, 9/02! Join host with with the most Nick Hodge and the dC programming team for inspiring conversations featuring filmmakers from around the world and an in-depth exploration of Oklahoma’s rapidly growing film industry. We’re kicking things off with the folks behind Oklahoma City Thunder Films, and you don’t want to miss it! Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts.

Wishing a happy birthday to Oklahoma Film ICON (2019) Brian Hearn! The Oklahoma City native and Syracuse graduate established Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s film program in 1995, developing a now-legendary hub for independent film during his 19 year tenure. Under Brian’s leadership, the museum became a flagship screening location, and it remains one to this day! He’s now principal at Brian Hearn Arts Consulting, where he appraises and advises on behalf of collectors, artists, and non-profit arts organizations — a truly multi-talented ICON! Brian, we’re so grateful for your leadership and support. Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to Oklahoma Film ICON and friend of the festival, Abby Kurin! 🎂🎉 Abby is currently Managing Director at OKPOP Museum, and served previously as Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture’s Executive Director. Abby’s monumental contributions to the creative arts in Tulsa and throughout our great state have made a forever difference, and we’re proud to call her an ICON. Happy birthday, Abby!

SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN! 🚨🎬 The 25th Annual deadCenter Film Festival brings FIVE unforgettable days of film and fun to Downtown OKC June 11 - 15, 2025. We’re doing it big in our 25th year, with surprises around every corner and more world premieres than ever before! We’re talking ICONic special guests, industry-packed panels, massive celebrations, and a stacked lineup of shorts and features all week long – including OSCAR©-qualifying categories like Animated and Live Action Short. Today, we’re thrilled to announce that submissions are OFFICIALLY OPEN. Ready to show us what you’ve got? Now through October 15, Oklahoma filmmakers can take advantage of waived submission fees! Get started today at filmfreeway.com/deadcenter.

deadCenter Film Festival Soon to be it's 25th year, the deadCenter film festival is Oklahoma's largest and most celebrated film festival. The festival has been named one of the "20 C...

JUST ANNOUNCED 🌈 🎥 We’re partnering with OKC Pride Alliance, Factory Obscura, and Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition - OVAC to present the WORLD PREMIERES of short film ‘Boy Mode’ and feature doc ‘Unapologetically Us’ at Rodeo Cinema Stockyards for one night only: Tuesday, August 13! Afterward, we’re hosting a thoughtful and informative panel moderated by Head of Pride Programming Laron Chapman and featuring filmmakers Dylan Albertson, Andromeda Johnson, and Alexandria Carr. Admission is FREE with RSVP thanks to our friends at Allied Arts OKC and The Oklahoma City Community Foundation — reserve your spot today at bit.ly/4dtc1aZ!

Heads up, film fans! Looking for a way to get involved with deadCenter year-round? Consider applying for the official Screening Committee. You’ll play a key role in selecting both features and short films for the 25th Annual deadCenter Film Festival, and earn a complimentary fest pass or GlitterBall tickets for your valuable time and feedback! Learn more + apply today at bit.ly/3ynx6UU.

Wishing a happy birthday to Oklahoma Film ICON Fritz Kiersch! After founding our state’s first comprehensive college film program at Oklahoma City Community College, Kiersch launched the Moving Image Arts Program at Oklahoma City University. He also directed Stephen King’s ‘Children of the Corn,’ a horror classic that has spawned several sequels and continues to this day. Happy birthday, Fritz!

Today, we’re celebrating the legacy of OSCAR-winning producer and Oklahoma Film ICON Gray Frederickson. Born in 1937, Frederickson collaborated with Francis Ford Coppola on iconic films like ‘Apocalypse Now,’ ‘The Outsiders,’ and ‘The Godfather Part II.’ An avid supporter of film in his home state, Frederickson established the film and video program at Oklahoma City Community College, recognized as one of the best film schools in the nation by MovieMaker Magazine. Pretty ICONic if you ask us!

Wishing a happy birthday to Oklahoma Film ICON Chris Freihofer! The Norman native is an actor, producer, teacher, casting agent, and the CEO of Freihofer Casting — the largest and most prolific casting agency in the southwest. As a casting director that also acts on major TV shows like Breaking Bad, Freihofer helps Oklahoma actors plan long term careers and helps directors and producers understand how to create effective work environments on set. Happy birthday, Chris!

Sending birthday wishes to Oklahoma Film ICON Bob Berney! The Oklahoma City native currently serves as CEO of Picturehouse, where his projects have racked up over $1 billion in US Box Office revenue. In addition to Oscar winners ‘Pan’s Labyrinth,’ ‘Monster,’ and ‘Manchester by the Sea,’ Berney distributed the two biggest independent films of all time: ‘The Passion of the Christ’ and ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding.’ Bob is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Executive Branch), as well as the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Happy birthday, Bob!

The people have spoken. 🏆 🎬 Your Audience Award recipients are ‘Transylvanie,’ directed by Rodrigue Huart, and ‘Secret Mall Apartment,’ directed by Jeremy Workman. Congratulations and thank you for sharing these incredible stories with us this summer!

Wishing a very happy birthday to local legend, former executive director, and our dear friend Lance McDaniel! deadCenter experienced monumental growth and expansion thanks to Lance’s visionary leadership, and we’re forever thankful for his guidance and stewardship. His most recent project, ‘Chasing Thunder,’ premiered at , where he also co-facilitated our virtual reality film experience. We love you, Lance!

The virtual library is OPEN for a limited time! Access to this curated selection of shorts is included with a festival pass, or $10 for non-pass holders. Once activated, you’ll be able to view these fan favorites — including ‘Best Live Action Short’ winner ‘Auganic’ — for 48 hours. Learn more at deadcenterfilm.org/stream!

We’re still blown away by the response to our 24th festival, and plans for the 25th are already underway. Prices are going up in 2025, but there’s a gradual way to pay — and at a discount! The Director’s Club makes funding your experience a breeze. Join in June and enjoy 20% off your festival pass purchase, PLUS exclusive member perks and events throughout the year. Learn more + enroll today at deadcenterfilm.org/directorsclub!

Here are the 2024 deadCenter Film Festival award winners! In a late-morning ceremony Saturday, at the weekend-long event’s midpoint, deadCenter Film Festival crowned their 2024 awards winners and Film ICONs.

ICONIC. 🎬🏆 The fest may be over, but our celebration of Oklahoma Film ICONs Dylan Brodie and Paul Sparks continues! We just dropped two brand new episodes of the deadCenter podcast exploring the journeys of these talented Okies, from their home state to the big screen and beyond. Available now wherever you get your podcasts!

Until next time. ♥️ 🎬 THANK YOU to this year’s filmmakers, volunteers, sponsors, and passholders for making — powered by Inasmuch Foundation — a memorable, magical experience from start to finish. We’re inspired by your boundless creativity, generosity, and love for independent film, and hope to see you soon at a Continuum screening! Get some rest, share your festival experience ( ), and don’t be a stranger. We miss you already!

📸 : DAS PHOTO

Do your part! As comes to a close, don’t forget to VOTE for your favorite feature and short film. The simplest way to do so is via the deadCenter Film Festival App. Select “My Tickets” and a record of your scanned tickets will give you an option to VOTE. You are welcome to vote however you wish until voting closes. If you find that your favorite feature or short has not be scanned, you can send your vote to our programming team: [email protected]. We’ll keep voting open until this Friday (6/14) at 11:59 pm!

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SEE Y’ALL TONIGHT 🌟🎬 We’ve laughed. We’ve cried. We’ve made new connections and experienced 150+ films together in Downtown OKC! Now, it’s time to say goodbye to in style. Join us from 5:30pm - 7:30pm for an unforgettable closing night party at One Set Studio!

The 24th Annual deadCenter Film Festival is made possible thanks to the generosity of these incredible individuals and families! We’re grateful for the support of Dick and Glenna Tanenbaum, the Knighton T. Meade Family, Lissa and John Blaschke, Cacky Poarch, Karen Delaney, Brooke Halleran, Sarah Glick, Joel Dixon, Brent Hart, Deana and Stephen Skalovsky, Michael and Georgene Blaschke, Dale and Jennifer Thurman, Charlie Ludden, and Julie Porter Scott. Thank you kindly!