What started as a homegrown celebration of independent film with a spotlight on Oklahoma in 2001 has grown into a film festival with worldwide recognition. deadCenter Film Festival, now in its 26th year, is Oklahoma's largest and only Oscar-qualifying festival - drawing filmmakers, distributors, and film lovers from across the globe to the heart of Oklahoma City every June. I've seen it become a genuine launching pad for independent film, and with each passing year, its reach and reputation continue to expand. Downtown OKC comes alive during festival week, and the broader film community is taking notice.
But the growth doesn't stop when the festival wraps. deadCenter's year-round education programs are building the next generation of Oklahoma filmmakers - reaching students statewide and creating pathways into the film industry. This is the long game, and it is working! As Finance Chair of the Board of Directors, I get a front-row seat to both the creative momentum that drives deadCenter forward and the foundation of leadership and giving that makes sustainable growth possible. Fantastic art and smart stewardship aren't opposing forces; they're how the best chapters are still being written.
