22 things to see at OKC's 22nd deadCenter Film Festival, from rock docs to Okie Shorts

Pass the popcorn: deadCenter is back.

After two years of primarily celebrating independent film online, the deadCenter Film Festival returns to an in-person format June 9-12 at various Oklahoma City venues, including a couple of new spots.

The state's largest film festival is celebrating its 22nd birthday with a lineup of 175 films. This year, deadCenter's programmers watched a new record of nearly 2,000 submitted films during the first open call since the COVID-19 outbreak.

So, this year's fest will be packed with feature and short films, outdoor screenings, panel discussions, parties and more. In honor of deadCenter's 22nd edition, here are 22 anticipated highlights of this year's fest:

1. Okie Shorts showcase state filmmakers

This is deadCenter's first year as an Oscar-qualifying festival in two short film categories: Animated Short Film and Live Action Short Film. With that prestigious new designation, more than 1,000 entries were submitted in the short film category, so competition was fierce.

Several Oklahoma filmmakers made the cut, and the popular Okie Shorts Vol. 1 and 2 blocks are packed with intriguing titles, including "ᎤᏕᏲᏅ (What They’ve Been Taught)," Cherokee filmmaker Brit Hensel's evocative Sundance standout; "Flowers in the Addict: The Bryan Abrams Story," about the Color Me Badd frontman; "A Little Dead," a horror drama taking a singular approach to Alzheimer's; "Old House New Home," about Danny Boy O'Connor's Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa; and "Abundance," centered on Quapaw Nation citizens who are leading food sovereignty initiatives.

When and where: Vol. 1 at 5:40 p.m. June 10 and 12:30 p.m. June 12, Harkins Bricktown 16; and Vol. 2 at 8:10 June 10, Harkins Bricktown 16, and 5 p.m. June 12, Rodeo Theatre at Stockyards.

2. 'Chicken House' lands world premiere

After bowing her promising feature film directorial debut "She's the Eldest" at deadCenter 2020, OKC actor and helmer Cate Jones returns with her world-premiere follow-up, "Chicken House."

The subversive comedy centers on three small-town actresses who take in a mysterious new roommate from Los Angeles, shaking up their lives as well as the lives of two Latter Days Saints and a poltergeist.

When and where: 2:10 p.m. June 11, Harkins Bricktown 16; and 7:30 p.m. June 12, Rodeo Theatre at Stockyards.

3. 'Saturday at Yale' dives into new venue

The historic Yale Theater on Capitol Hill is a new venue for deadCenter, and the fest is debuting “Saturday at Yale," an afternoon of programming appealing to South OKC's burgeoning Latino community.

"Saturday at Yale" will include two short blocks — CineLatino Flashback and Spanish Speaking Shorts — followed by the Oklahoma premiere of the Spanish-language coming-of-age drama "Oliver & The Pool," the feature film debut for Mexican director Arcadi Palerm-Artis.

When and where: Starting at noon June 11, Yale Theater.

4. OKC Thunder Films goes to Greenwood

On June 10, the free Friday Night Family Frolic — planned in Scissortail Park during its monthly Night Market — will tip off with the fifth production by OKC Thunder Films. 

Their latest film to debut at deadCenter will be "Seeds of Greenwood," which follows the development of Thunder Fellows, an after-school program in Tulsa's historic Greenwood District, where the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre took place. 

Thunder Fellows provides Black high school students with opportunities in sports, entertainment and technology through a curriculum based in data and analytics. The doc not only will highlight the program but also chronicle the inspirational journeys of the Thunder Fellows themselves.

When and where: Friday Night Frolic is 5 to 9:30 p.m. June 10 at Scissortail Park, with "Seeds of Greenwood" screening at 7:30 p.m.

5. 'Run Woman Run' dashes into Oklahoma premiere

In 2021, deadCenter launched its first cash prize category, for Best Indigenous Short Film, and the 2022 festival is adding a Best Indigenous Feature award.

Read: Momentum gained in COVID-19 pandemic 'like the Land Run' for Oklahoma film and TV industry

Expect Canadian Heiltsuk/Mohawk writer-director Zoe Hopkins' "Run Woman Run" to be a strong contender. The rite-of-passage dramedy follows a grieving, unfulfilled single mom who is visited by the ghost of Tom Longboat, a real-life early 1900s sports legend. He trains her as an honor runner, where she dedicates each of her runs to an aspect of creation or a special person in her life.

When and where: 4 p.m. June 11 at First Americans Museum, and 11 a.m. June 12 at Harkins Bricktown 16.

6. LGBTQ+ doc 'Mama Bears' opening fest

This year's Opening Night Film will be the documentary "Mama Bears," focusing on Sara Cunningham, the Oklahoma woman behind the worldwide movement Free Mom Hugs, and Kimberly Shappley, a Texas mom who has been outspoken about her experiences with her transgender daughter. 

The film traces their journeys as conservative Christian mothers whose love for their LGBTQ+ children has turned them into ardent advocates for the entire queer community.

When and where: 6 p.m. June 9 at Harkins Bricktown 16, and 2 p.m. June 11 at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

7. Mickey Reece ushers in 'midnight movies' 

OKC cult-fave filmmaker and deadCenter alumnus Mickey Reece returns to his hometown film fest, where he will curate a "midnight movies" slate of indie genre film selections — think horror films, B-movies, sci-fi titles and the like — for the first time. 

Dubbed "undeadCenter," the inaugural program is intended to live on year after year — kind of like a horde of zombies — and provide deadCenter with a fresh opportunity to connect moviemakers with local film fanatics.

When and where: Selections include undeadCenter Shorts at 9:30 p.m. June 9, "Deadstream" at 9:30 p.m. June 10, "Piggy" at 9:20 p.m. June 11 and "After Blue (Dirty Paradise)" at 9:20 p.m. June 12, all at Harkins Bricktown 16.

8. New Bison Pass includes Express Admission RSVP

The festival's ticketing options are getting a beast mode with the new Bison Pass, which for $300 includes entry to in-person screenings, new Express Admission RSVP capabilities, access to the deadCenter @Home Select Virtual Library and admission to festival events. 

The more traditional deadCenter ticket prices have remained the same for two decades to make independent film accessible to as many people as possible: deadCenter Festival Passes cost $175 and grant the holder access to film screenings and festival events. Once the fest begins, individual screening tickets may be purchased for $10 at the screening venue 20 minutes prior to start time. 

9. 'Rainbow' brightening closing night

The festival's Closing Night Film will be the colorful documentary "Butterfly in the Sky," about the classic children's television show "Reading Rainbow."

The literacy program introduced millions of children growing up in the 1980s and '90s to the magic of books — and gave us one of the most beloved TV hosts of all time in LeVar Burton.

When and where: 6 p.m. June 12, Harkins Bricktown 16.

10. Couple teams for 'Tenkiller'

Husband-and-wife moviemakers Kara Shay Choate and Jeremy Brooks Choate are channeling "Tenkiller" to deadCenter with their film inspired by the Italian neorealism movement and made in the Tahlequah area. 

A year after the tragic death of his best friend, a young machinist struggles with the split of his parents and the violent way of life surrounding him.

When and where: 7:10 p.m. June 11, Harkins Bricktown 16, and 2:30 p.m. June 12, Rodeo Theatre at Stockyards.

See more film news: Oklahoma filmmaker Brian Presley brings company to home state, quarterback son to Jenks

11. 'Getting It Back' to Wheeler District

On June 11, deadCenter takes its festivities to the Wheeler District for the second straight year, and this time, it gets funky with "Getting It Back: The Cymande Story."

The rock doc chronicles a group of Black musicians coming together in South London in the early 1970s with a common love of jazz, funk, soul and Caribbean rhythms — along with a message of peace — to create a singular sound and form the band Cymande. Despite indifference in their native Britain, the often-sampled band's music has lived on, with a new generation of musicians — including Wu-Tang Clan, De La Soul and the Fugees — revisiting their songs, leading to a comeback after 40 years. 

When and where: The Wheeler District's deadCenter festivities begin at 6 p.m. June 11 with free food for the first 150 people from Burger Punk and 100 WonderPop Van. The free event will include a performance by Mike Hosty at 7 p.m., a music video block screening at 7:30 p.m. and "Getting It Back" at 9 p.m.

12. 'Eternal Spring' brings Chinese drama to Oklahoma

Filmmaker Jason Loftus (“Ask No Questions”) merges animation and live-action in his documentary feature “Eternal Spring (長春 )," which circles the Chinese spiritual movement Falun Gong.

In the face of denunciations of their banned faith in the Chinese state media, an engineer named Liang and a grain worker nicknamed Big Truck execute an audacious and perilous plan to hack into state television.

When and where: 5:30 p.m. June 10, OKC Museum of Art, and 11:40 a.m. June 12, Harkins Bricktown 16.

13. deadCenter continues Pride Pass

To support the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate Pride Month, deadCenter debuted its first Pride Pass in 2021, and it's back this year. The $50 Pride Pass includes access to a special breakfast and happy hour, plus admission to a selection of feature films and short blocks.

14. 'Out of Exile' thrills with crime drama

Emmy-winning Oklahoma filmmaker Kyle Kauwika Harris ratchets up the tension at the fest with his crime drama "Out of Exile," starring fellow Okies Adam Hampton, Ryan Merriman and Hayley McFarland, plus familiar character actor Peter Greene ("Pulp Fiction," "Training Day," "The Mask").

Filmed in central Oklahoma in 2020, the homegrown thriller is making its world premiere at deadCenter 2022.

When and where: 8:30 p.m. June 9 at Harkins Bricktown 16, and 6:30 p.m. June 11 at Rodeo Theatre at Stockyards.

15. 'Magic Mike' marks 10th anniversary

Can you believe its been a decade since Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer and Matthew McConaughey danced their way into our hearts in director Steven Soderbergh's "Magic Mike?"

This 10th anniversary screening will let festivalgoers revisit the tale of Mike (Tatum), an experienced stripper who takes a newbie named Adam (Alex Pettyfer) under his proverbial wing. Look for OKC native Olivia Munn as Joanna.

When and where: 11 p.m. June 10, 21C Museum Hotel OKC.

16. Afro Cinema Weekend Pass debuts

Following last year's successful Pride Pass debut, deadCenter is launching this year its inaugural Afro Cinema Weekend Pass, featuring films created or influenced by Black culture, artists or moviemakers. The $50 pass grants access to a curated weekend of activities, including a special happy hour, film screenings and a closing night party.

17. Cherokee film icon to debut 'Signature' doc

This year's deadCenter Oklahoma Film ICON award winner, Jennifer Loren, director of Cherokee Nation Film Office and Original Content, will premiere her short documentary "ᏚᏙᎥᎪᏪᎸ: Signature: The Cherokee Speakers Roll" at the First Americans Museum, one of the festival's new venues.

The short doc delves into the Cherokee Speakers Roll that is at the heart of the tribe's language preservation efforts. It will be followed by an in-depth conversation between Loren and Tava Maloy Sofsky, director of the Oklahoma Film + Music Office.

When and where: 6 p.m. June 11, First Americans Museum.

18. Fest to have an 'Oklahoma Breakdown' 

A local underground music legend gets the cinematic spotlight with the rock doc "Oklahoma Breakdown." 

Directed by Christopher Fitzpatrick, the deadCenter selection focuses on the life and career of Norman musician Mike Hosty, who is legendary for his one-man band performances. The film takes its name from Hosty's signature song, which has been covered by the likes of Toby Keith and Stoney LaRue.

When and where: 3 p.m. June 12, Harkins Bricktown 16.

19. Sports fans to flip for 'Skate Dreams'

Its love for the Women's College World Series has helped establish OKC as a hot spot for women's sports, so it's fitting that deadCenter is showing "Skate Dreams." Directed by Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Jessica Edwards (the Mavis Staples rock doc "Mavis!"), it's the first feature documentary to chronicle the rise of women’s skateboarding.

Read: Cherokee filmmaker brings Sundance-selected short film home to Oklahoma's deadCenter fest

When and where: 9 p.m. June 9 and 1 p.m. June 11, Harkins Bricktown 16.

20. Free Community Showcase shares Oklahoma history

This year's free Community Showcase will spotlight two documentaries by Oklahoma filmmakers about Oklahoma history. Kelly Kerr's "Greenwood Here and Now" explores the historic Tulsa neighborhood 100 years after the largest race massacre in U.S. history destroyed it, while Bryan Beasley's "The Battle of Honey Springs" depicts the largest Civil War battle to take place in present-day Oklahoma.

When and where: 11 a.m. June 11, Harkins Bricktown 16.

21. 'Pez Outlaw' shares unlikely story

If deadCenter gave a prize for the most compelling film synopsis, it would go to the documentary feature "The Pez Outlaw":

"In the 1990s, Pez dispensers were worth more, gram for gram, than cocaine or even gold. Steve Glew, from rural Michigan, spent 10 years smuggling Pez dispensers into the USA from Eastern Europe, making millions of dollars. It was all magical until ... it wasn’t. His arch-nemesis, the Pezident, decided to destroy him."

Who wouldn't want to see that?

When and where: 8 p.m. June 11 at OKC Museum of Art, and 4:40 p.m. June 12 at Harkins Bricktown 16.

22. familyFest shorts add fun to frolic

Following the debut of the OKC Thunder Films production "Seeds of Greenwood," the free Friday Night Family Frolic at Scissortail Park will add to the fun with the familyFest Shorts. This diverse block of about a dozen playful shorts is designed to cross cultures and bring families together.

When and where: Friday Night Frolic is 5 to 9:30 p.m. June 10 at Scissortail Park, with the familyFest Shorts showing at 8:30 p.m. The familyFest shorts also will show at 10:30 a.m. June 11 at Harkins Bricktown 16 and 4:30 p.m. June 12 at Film Row Cinema.

DEADCENTER FILM FESTIVAL   

When: June 9-12.   

Where: Various Oklahoma City venues.   

Tickets and information: www.deadCenterFilm.org.  

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 22 things to see at Oklahoma City's 22nd deadCenter Film Festival