The deadCenter Film Festival will celebrate its 20thanniversary from June 11-21, with an extended 10-day schedule, half-price passes and more movies and panels than ever before. Eddie, the definitive documentary about OSU coaching legend Eddie Sutton, leads the slate of 140 films from around the world and across Oklahoma that will premiere during the festival.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, deadCenter Film is moving the entire festival slate of award-winning films, filmmaker panels, celebrity discussions, screenplay readings, and film classes online for 2020, utilizing the latest streaming and community engagement technologies. deadCenter Film is also planning to offer pop-up drive-in movie experiences for passholders and sponsors throughout the festival. Originally slated for June 11-14, the organizers of the deadCenter Film Festival will announce additional public screenings at Scissortail Park as shelter-in-place restrictions allow.
“We are so excited to proceed with our 20thannual film festival and celebrate these awesome filmmakers and films,” said Executive Director Lance McDaniel. “Moving the festival online will allow our passholders and sponsors to watch more movies and uniquely interact with a wider range of celebrities and industry leaders than ever before.”
1,600 films were considered for the 2020 festival, making it the most competitive year ever. Of the 140 films selected to screen at the festival, 20 are feature-length movies and 120 are short films. Thirty of the chosen films were made in Oklahoma or by Oklahoma filmmakers.
Christopher Hunt and David Tester, the filmmakers behind Eddie, won Best Oklahoma Short Film at the deadCenter Film Festival in 2015 and 2017. Several other award winners are returning with new films this year, including Sterlin Harjo (Best Oklahoma Film 2009) with his new documentary Love and Fury; Ryan Staples Scott (Best Oklahoma Film 2015) with his action film Robot Riot; and Jacob Burns (Best Oklahoma Film 2016) with his new thriller Shifter.
deadCenter Film Festival is Oklahoma’s largest film festival, recognized as one of the “Top 20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker Magazine. More than 35,000 people attended deadCenter Film Festival screenings in 2019, generating an economic impact of approximately $5 million for Oklahoma City.
All-access passes have been reduced by 50% this year to $100 and offer unlimited access to all shorts, panels, classes, and discussions, with priority access to all feature films and special event screenings. deadCenter will also offer a selection of free films and shorts programs to the public, and sell individual tickets and downloads to selected shorts programs and features. For passes and more information, go to www.deadcenterfilm.org.