Here’s what to check out at the 2023 deadCenter Film Festival
Oklahoma’s premiere film festival returns for its 23rd year to Oklahoma City, bringing with it movies from local, national and international filmmakers.
The deadCenter Film Festival runs June 8 through 11 across various venues in OKC such as the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Harkins Bricktown and the First Americans Museum.
The schedule is packed and can be a tad overwhelming to digest. Unsure what to check out? We have you covered. Check deadcenterfilm.org for showtimes and venue information.
Oklahoma feature films
“Riding Legacy: An Oklahoma Black Cowboy Story”
This documentary tells the true story of the Black cowboy community in Oklahoma that’s existed since the 1850s. It highlights the origin of Black cowboys and cowgirls, the Black rodeo community and more.
“What Rhymes with Reason”
A group of teens embark on an adventure to find something hidden in the wilderness. As they journey together, they begin to address the darkness within themselves.
Indigenous features
“Bad Press”
A journalist goes rogue to expose the Muscogee Nation’s corruption that will send shockwaves through all of Indian country.
“Fancy Dance”
The complexities of Indigenous women living in a colonized world and at the mercy of a failed justice system come to the forefront in this family drama about a woman’s disappearance.
Family friendly features
FamilyFest Shorts will showcase more than 10 short films from filmmakers all over the world. “I’m Not Afraid!,” an animated short from Norway about a hide-and-seek game gone awry, will make its Oklahoma premiere at deadCenter. Spanish-language animated film “Picchu” will make its world premiere at deadCenter.
Black features
“Black Barbie: A Documentary”
When filmmaker Lagueria Davis was a little girl, she asked her 83-year-old aunt, who worked for toymaker Mattel, “Why not make a Barbie that looks like me?”
Davis’ “Black Barbie: A Documentary” shines a light on her aunt’s career at Mattel and discusses how lack of representation left Black girls without personal subjects for self-reflection.
“Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom”
Ya’Ke Smith brings his story of a Black American that travels throughout Texas as he discovers how Juneteenth coincides with faith and freedom in an unjust society. The film will make its Oklahoma premiere at deadCcenter.
SUBSCRIBE