deadCenter Film Festival to feature OKC boxer documentary 'Saucedo' on opening night
A documentary about a hometown hero and former professional boxer will be among the opening draws of Oklahoma City's 2024 deadCenter Film Festival.
The 24th Annual deadCenter Film Festival is set for June 6-9 in downtown OKC, with screenings at Harkins Bricktown 16, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Rodeo Cinema Film Row, Scissortail Park and the new dC Hub at the Fordson Hotel (formerly 21c Museum Hotel).
The Oscar-qualifying festival returns with longtime features programmer Sunrise Tippeconnie stepping into the full-time programming role. More than 1,800 films were submitted for this year's deadCenter Film Fest.
“As our festival evolves we are trying to find the ways in which to both highlight what’s best for the filmmakers as well as reignite the flame audiences have for cinema,” Tippeconnie said in a statement.
“The festival programming team has worked tirelessly to select the few hundred films they feel reflect themes within the submissions and in world-cinema trends, but also respond to the way in which Oklahoma ties have expanded within the industry. We’re excited to roll out part of the schedule earlier than ever before, and bring programmatic updates throughout the festival experience.”
What Oklahoma-made films will be showcased for deadCenter's opening night?
Each year, the deadCenter Film Festival programming team highlights the cinematic contributions of Oklahomans, a task that has shifted as the scale of output from the Sooner State film industry matures from homegrown productions to global film industry projects.
In an effort to spotlight trends and distinctions of filmmaking, this year’s festival schedule will reflect the concept of "Centerpiece" titles.
On the festival's opening night, the Oklahoma Documentary Feature Centerpiece will be the world premiere of "Saucedo." The film explores the emotional journey of Oklahoma boxing champion Alex Saucedo, who suffered a career-ending brain injury in 2020 that forced him to redefine his identity, find new purpose and take care of his family.
The documentary includes a cameo by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and was shot in OKC and Tulsa, with contributions and collaborations with Oklahomans in front of and behind the camera.
The opening night of deadCenter 2024 also will include the world premiere of "Hailey’s Game," a supernatural LGBTQIA romance filmed entirely with OKC locations, cast and crew. It is directed by queer filmmaker Katie Hightower in her feature film directorial debut.
What international documentary will screen as part of the OKC film festival's opening-night lineup?
The Opening Night Feature Documentary "La Singla" shares a portrait of Antonia Singla, a flamenco dancer who was born deaf and revolutionized the art at the age of 17.
A native of Spain, Singla was widely considered “the best flamenco dancer in the world,” but disappeared before turning 30 years old, returning 50 years later to tell her story. The documentary, which has screened at festivals across the globe, will have its Oklahoma premiere at deadCenter.
"Many films this year, documentary as well as fiction, reveal a filmmaker's reflection through historic media to reveal a story of hope's re-emergence. We wanted to respond to these trends with the announcement of 'La Singla,'" Tippeconnie said in an email.
"Not only did it seem Oklahoma audiences would connect through a mutually rich history to the artistry of dance, but also identify with director Paloma Zapata's personal path in the discovery of Antonia Singla's contributions to world culture."
OKC's festival expands educational outreach with deadCenter University
Since 2001, the nonprofit organization deadCenter Film has produced Oklahoma's largest film festival, bringing together independent filmmakers from near and far, emerging and established, providing an award-winning festival experience to showcase their work for OKC cinephiles and to connect with global audiences.
This year, deadCenter Film is expanding its educational outreach, with two free initiatives aimed at nurturing budding filmmakers and empowering educators in Oklahoma.
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 3-6, before the festival kicks off, deadCenter Film will operate the deadCenter University Youth Camp for high school students at Oklahoma City Community College.
OCCC has been named one of the "Top 40 Film Schools in the USA and Canada" by Movie Maker Magazine, and for the first time, deadCenter University students will create a short film to premiere at the OKC fest. Participants will delve into various crew positions, from breaking down scripts to editing, under the guidance of experienced industry professionals. The program is designed to give youths the opportunity to explore their creativity and learn the ropes of filmmaking in a supportive environment.
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6-7, deadCenter University for Educators will meet at Oklahoma City University. The program is tailored for educators eager to integrate film into their classrooms. Limited to 25 teachers, the immersive experience is designed to equip educators with tools, resources and strategies to effectively teach film to students.
In addition to invaluable learning experiences, both students and teachers will receive two free passes to the deadCenter Film Festival.
Applications for both the student and teacher programs close April 19.
deadCenter Film team hosting events leading up to the festival
Also leading up to this year's festival, deadCenter Film is organizing events to frame some of its programming announcements.
The deadCenter team will host a live-stream event to reveal festival selections for music videos, experimental films and episodics series from 7 to 9 p.m. April 18 at Factory Obscura.
On May 1, programmers will reveal additional layers of the schedule, packaging up programming tidbits, themes and insider tips on how to navigate this year’s festival, at Rodeo Cinema in Stockyards City. The public is invited to attend and learn more about the programmers and the 2024 festival slate.
How can people get passes to the deadCenter Film Festival?
Additional film selections and programming highlights will be released weekly until the festival begins.
Passes are on sale for $200 at deadcenterfilm.org.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Boxer documentary 'Saucedo' to open OKC's deadCenter Film Festival
