deadCenter Film

09/03/2026

VENDOR ANNOUNCEMENT!

Film Friday is bringing movies, makers, activities, and MORE to the Oklahoma State Fair!

Join the Oklahoma State Fair + deadCenter Film for a FREE event of film and fun on Friday, September 18 from 12 PM–8 PM at the Modern Living Building!

Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Short film screenings
- Local vendors & creative booths
- Interactive activities
- An awards show celebrating Oklahoma filmmakers
And plenty more!

Check out the vendor lineup and come spend the day with us!

📅 September 18 | 12–8 PM
📍 Modern Living Building | Oklahoma State Fair
🎟️ FREE EVENT

Huge thanks to the Oklahoma State Fair for the 🎡 video!

Come for the fair. Stay for the films.

09/02/2026

deadCenter Film Launches Statewide and National Search for New Executive Director

deadCenter Film, Oklahoma’s premier nonprofit film organization and host of the annual deadCenter Film Festival, has officially opened its search for a new executive director. The organization is seeking a visionary leader to guide its strategic growth, oversee business operations and advance its mission of promoting and celebrating independent film in Oklahoma and beyond.

Reporting directly to the board of directors, the executive director will serve as the primary spokesperson and chief administrative officer for the organization. The leader will be responsible for driving fundraising initiatives, overseeing organizational finances, expanding community partnerships and guiding a dedicated team of staff and industry professionals.

“deadCenter Film has grown into a vital cultural and economic driver for Oklahoma’s thriving creative industry,” said Melissa Scaramucci, Governance Chair of deadCenter Film. “We are looking for an executive who can build on our rich legacy, champion independent filmmakers, and expand our educational and community reach as we head into our next chapter.”

Key responsibilities of the executive director position include:

Strategic Growth: Partnering with the board to advance the mission, drive long-term strategy and serve as the face of the organization.

Fundraising & Sponsorships: Leading revenue growth across corporate sponsors, donors, grants and public funding.

Fiscal Management: Overseeing organizational budgets, ensuring financial health and maintaining transparent board reporting.

Team & Operations Leadership: Directing staff, managing administrative operations, and supporting festival and program ex*****on.

Qualified candidates interested in applying for the position can view the full job description, detailed qualifications and submission instructions online at https://deadcenterfilm.org/careers. Link also in bio.

08/24/2026

Want to get behind the scenes of one of Oklahoma’s biggest film festivals? deadCenter Film is looking for interns for the 2026–2027 season!

We’re looking for awesome people interested in:

- Programming
- Operations
- Education & Outreach
- Social Media

These are unpaid internship opportunities, but we’ll work with your school to help fulfill internship/class requirements. Days and times are flexible, and we’re all about making it work with your schedule.

If you love film, festivals, creativity, and community, and want to learn, connect, and help build something special in Oklahoma…

Come join the dC family! 💙

Link in bio!

08/19/2026

deadCenter Film is pleased to announce Victor Caballero as our Interim Executive Director!

Since joining deadCenter Film as Director of Education and Outreach, Victor Caballero has demonstrated tremendous leadership and a deep commitment to Oklahoma’s film community. Since 2023, his education and outreach efforts have reached more than 63,000 students across Oklahoma.

“Victor will have the board’s full confidence and support as he serves in this interim role. We are all excited to have him lead our team.”
— Dale Thurman, Board President

For Victor, the new role is an opportunity to continue building the community he cares deeply about:

“To me, deadCenter represents more than a film festival—it’s a place where Oklahoma’s filmmakers can grow while stories and storytellers from around the world can find a home. It brings me great joy to serve this organization and help build a stronger, more connected film community in Oklahoma and beyond.”

We also thank Amy Janes for her service to deadCenter and for her support during this transition and wish her the very best!

Please join us in congratulating Victor as he steps into this new role!

08/18/2026

Submissions for the 2027 deadCenter Film Festival are now OPEN! Whether you’re submitting a feature, documentary, short, music video, episodic, or something made right here in Oklahoma, we want to see what you’ve created.

Named one of the “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” by MovieMaker Magazine, deadCenter is ready for your story.

Now it’s your turn.

🎥Earlybird Deadline: October 15
🎥Regular Deadline: January 2

Submit through the link in our Linktree.

08/17/2026

Help Get dCU Alumni Gray Stringer to NYC!

https://gofund.me/1f8f4dae4

Clandestine, which was made during the 2025 deadCenter University + Oklahoma City Community College Youth Camp and directed by Gray, has been officially selected for the 2026 All American High School Film Festival in New York City this October!

Out of submissions from around the world, Clandestine earned a spot at one of the premier student film festivals in the country.

This is an incredible opportunity for Gray to screen his work, connect with fellow young filmmakers, and take part in industry workshops in NYC.

Now, his community is coming together to help get him there. A GoFundMe has been created to help cover travel, lodging, festival passes, and other expenses associated with the trip.

If you can help, donate or simply share the fundraiser. Every bit makes a difference.

Let’s help get Gray to New York!

Help Send Gray to the All American High School Film Festival in NYC! ️ … Emily Hildebrandt needs your support for Support Gray’s Film Journey to NYC

08/17/2026

Submissions are officially open for the 27th annual deadCenter Film Festival! Join us in Oklahoma City for an unforgettable celebration packed with bold films, lively screenings, filmmaker panels, industry connections, incredible parties, live music, and one of the most welcoming film communities anywhere.

deadCenter Film Festival is Oklahoma’s largest film festival and an Oscar®-qualifying festival in three categories:

Best Live Action Short
Best Animated Short
Best Documentary Short

Whether you are an emerging filmmaker or an established storyteller, this is your opportunity to share your work with enthusiastic audiences, connect with fellow creatives, and experience a festival that truly celebrates filmmakers.

Don’t wait… submit by the Early Deadline: October 15, 2026.

🎥 Submit through the link in our Linktree.

08/10/2026

Be part of Film Friday at the Oklahoma State Fair on September 18th, 2026!

We’re looking for interactive film industry booths that engage, educate, and inspire Fair guests. Whether you offer:
- Green screen experiences
- Camera or production equipment demonstrations
- Hair & makeup FX or on-set makeup demos
- Props, costumes, or special effects
- Film education or hands-on activities..we’d love to have you!

There is NO fee to host a booth.

This is a unique opportunity to:
• Showcase your work and organization
• Inspire the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers
• Build new community connections and expand your network
• Celebrate Oklahoma’s growing film industry with thousands of Fair visitors

Help us make Film Friday an unforgettable experience by bringing the magic of filmmaking to life!

Interested in participating? We’d love to hear from you!

[email protected]

07/23/2026

Join deadCenter Film and the Oklahoma State Fair for the inaugural Film Friday at the Fair! Celebrate Oklahoma filmmaking with screenings of outstanding films from across the state, meet local filmmakers and film organizations, and help us honor the Best Clean Short in Oklahoma!

Oklahoma Students, do you have a family-friendly short film ready for the big screen? Submit it to the Oklahoma State Fair Family-Friendly Short Film Exhibition & Competition for a chance to screen during Film Friday at the Fair!

- Any genre (Narrative, Animation, Documentary, Music Video, and more)
- Family-friendly films only
- Selected films screen at the Oklahoma State Fair and receive official festival laurels

Eligibility:
• Completed between May 2025–July 2026
• 10 minutes or less
• Student films must be submitted by a school representative (or alma mater if recently graduated).

Selected films will screen September 18, 2026, with awards for Best Film, Direction, Story, Actor, Actress, Cinematography, and Sound/Music.

Don’t miss your chance to share your story on the big screen!

07/17/2026

🎬 Join the 2027 deadCenter Film Festival Programming Team!

As we prepare for the 27th annual deadCenter Film Festival, we’re excited to add new members to our 2027 Programming Team.

Our programmers help discover remarkable films, champion emerging and established filmmakers, and shape the stories, conversations, and experiences that define deadCenter Film each year.

We are deeply grateful to our 2026 Programming Team for the care, expertise, and passion they brought to this year’s festival. As we continue to grow, we look forward to welcoming additional voices and perspectives. This year, we are also adding Short Script and Pitch categories—so writers and producers, we’re looking at you too!

We’re seeking thoughtful, collaborative film lovers who value artistic excellence, diverse perspectives, open communication, and the collective work required to build an Oscar®-qualifying film festival.

Applications are due by EOD July 29, 2026.

To apply, email [email protected] with the subject line: 2027 PROGRAMMING TEAM

Please include:

• A current résumé or professional bio
• A brief statement about your relationship to film and the perspective you would bring
• A response of 250 words or fewer about a film that deserves a larger audience and why
• A sample film description of 125 words or fewer
• A brief example of how you have handled—or would handle—a strong creative disagreement
• Confirmation of availability August–May, including monthly meetings and the March–April peak period
• Disclosure of professional relationships that could create conflicts with festival submissions

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tz7d5r3PQ-vZAa7mc0r_LpabMgpuuckuoW9dqCDdPVM/edit?usp=sharing

Prior festival programming experience is welcome but not required. We value strong judgment, distinctive perspectives, curiosity, excellent communication, and a genuine commitment to filmmakers and audiences.

deadCenter Film welcomes applicants from a wide range of professional, cultural, geographic, and lived experiences, especially those historically underrepresented in film exhibition and festival programming.

Come help shape dCFF27.