deadCENTER Film Festival begins today
Most of you probably got notice of this with the Downtown OKC newsletter, but here it is, information on this year's deadCENTER Film Festival downtown:
http://www.deadcenterfilm.org/
It is nothing short of outstanding what this group is doing to make downtown OKC buzz:
deadCENTER Film Festival
The 5th annual deadCENTER Film Festival opens Thursday, June 9th screening local, national and international films through Sunday, June 12th. Once again the festival is in the deadCENTER of downtown with screenings at the Stage Center, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the Individual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery, and the Untitled [ArtSpace].
Mirroring the growth in downtown OKC, the festival is expanding to the new Library and the Harkins Bricktown Theater.
"The downtown library is the perfect place to host two of our special programming blocks," says festival director, Cacky Poarch. "Our Kid's Fest and Apple Pie Cinema will screen at the library on Friday and Saturday during the festival. These programs feature family-friendly films and since the screenings are at the library, there is no charge and open to the public."
High-profile indies will screen at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and the Harkins Bricktown Theater. "For people with the blockbuster blues but are nervous of the ‘indie' title, these venues are perfect. 35mm prints and air-conditioning, plus we are working to bring in as many actors and directors to represent these films as possible. We have hundreds of films submitted, and can only show a small percentage … even across six venues. So leave your house! Hoppin' around downtown watching movies is a great way to spend a weekend," advises programming director Melissa Scaramucci.
In addition to screening 122 films, the deadCENTER is proud to offer an informative panel series. Discussions about editing, photography, education and women in film by local and visiting film professionals are the topics of the series. This year the series will expand to include two workshops. Visiting professionals from SAG will provide a workshop on working with the SAGIndie contracts. A screenwriting analysis workshop is also offered for new and aspiring screenwriters.
The official point of the fest is to ‘reel' in great films. The unofficial draw is the parties. Opening night of the fest features Cocktails on the Roof at the OKCMOA, followed by an exclusive screening of Mad Hot Ballroom at the Museum. After the film, the fest moves to Maker's in Bricktown to enjoy martinis and cigars and more martinis. Friday night the IAO Gallery hosts a tribute to Oklahoma filmmakers with their OKIE-themed late-night soiree followed by a screening of edgy Midnight Shorts. Friday and Saturday morning offer much-needed coffee klatches at the Stage Center and opportunities for power lunches (or Bloody Mary's) abound.
Saturday night is the high point of the fest. The award ceremony and outdoor screening kick-off at 9pm in Kerr Park. This year the fest is pleased to screen The Fearless Freaks about Oklahoma's own The Flaming Lips and directed by Norman native Bradley Beesley. After the film, festival attendees head over to the new Purple Bar at Nonna's in Bricktown. "The festival is a way to show off OKC. People come in from all over the country and we want to screen films and party in the coolest spots. You can watch a film ensconced in art at one of the galleries, attend panels and screenings at the architecturally stimulating Stage Center, have a cigar one night, a beer in the IAO backroom the next, or wave to the folks from Nonna's balcony. Oklahoma City is an exciting place to be, especially during a film festival," Poarch declares.
All-access passes are $50 and include entry into all festival screenings, parties, and panels, a t-shirt, DVDs, and a goodie bag. Tickets for most individual screenings are $7 and are available at each venue. For more information please visit the website at www.deadcenterfilm.org
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