Staff Edits
From Oklahoma to Times Square: deadCenter University & OCCC’s Lost and Found Shines at the All American High School Film Festival
The next generation of Oklahoma filmmakers made their mark in New York City as Lost and Found, a short film created through deadCenter University and Oklahoma City Community College’s Youth Camp, was officially selected to screen at the All American High School Film Festival, one of the largest showcases for emerging student filmmakers in the country.
For many of the students, the experience was not only a milestone in their creative journeys but also their first opportunity to see their work play on the big screen, at none other than AMC Times Square.
Writer and director Makinley Paige Montez reflected on the experience:
“Being at the film festival, it’s just been incredible and exciting because I’m just around many talented writers, directors, producers, kids around my age that are as passionate as myself. It’s just wonderful that it’s my first time visiting New York and I have a film playing in New York City.”
Camera operator Lucas Jackson shared similar feelings of gratitude and surprise about how far the project had come:
“I did not expect 16 months ago to be making lifelong friends and meeting so many people that I would be talking to months later. Let alone going to a different state with them. It’s been a blast and such an honor and a dream come true.”
Makeup artist and 2nd AC Natalia Hernandez Gonzalez expressed pride in representing Oklahoma’s young filmmakers on a national stage:
“I never thought that the Youth Camp would have brought us here. The short film in general I never thought it would have gotten this far, but I’m glad it did. It’s been a blessing. People can’t believe there's filmmaking in Oklahoma. You get to educate each other on the different filmmaking styles with other creatives from around the world. It’s pretty cool.”
Victor Caballero, Director of Education + Outreach, joined the students in New York and celebrated what this achievement means for Oklahoma’s youth filmmaking programs
“The festival was amazing and New York City was incredible. Extra special seeing these kids walk the red carpet and watch their film in AMC Times Square. I’m thankful for the partnership with OCCC and grateful to sponsors such as Oklahoma Film & Music Office, Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment of the Arts, and our partner Allied Arts. This wouldn’t be possible without them. And I'm beyond blessed to be working for deadCenter Film and this team, which believe that the future of film is youth.”
From concept to completion, Lost and Found exemplifies what deadCenter University strives to do: provide hands-on, real-world opportunities that empower students to tell their stories and find their creative voices.