deadCenter Film sends this information as posted below:
OKLAHOMA CITY (MAY 9, 2024) – deadCenter Film today announces Cricket, directed by Richard Janes of Filmmakers Ranch in Spencer, as the fourth and final feature film by an Oklahoma filmmaker in the 24th annual film festival, along with 2024 Oklahoma Film ICONS Dylan Brodie (Ramona) and Paul Sparks (Lawton). deadCenter launched its festival schedule and film guide for the June 6-9 events late last week, featuring previous highlights such as Saucedo, Hailey’s Game and La Singla, as well as the OKCThunder Film’s latest debut, BISMACK, announced at the beginning of the team’s current playoff run. The deadCenter Film Festival takes place across various venues throughout downtown Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma Narrative Feature Centerpiece will be the World Premiere of Cricket. The film focuses on an introverted 14-year-old (played by Respect’s Skye Dakota Turner) struggling to come to terms with a broken family, as a lyrical film about love, loss and the resilience of the human spirit. Cricket will screen on Opening Night, June 6, at Harkins Theatres Bricktown at 8:30 p.m.
“Founded by Oklahoma filmmakers, deadCenter has always valued Oklahoma productions and we are thrilled that the festival will host the World Premiere of Cricket,” says Executive Director Cacky Poarch. “There is a lot to be excited about this year, including our amazing ICONS, Dylan Brodie and Paul Sparks, who will both be at the festival with dynamic film projects.”
deadCenter has confirmed the recognition and attendance of Oklahoma Film ICONS Dylan Brodie and Paul Sparks to be added to the nonprofit’s “hall of fame,” joining the likes of alumni such as Gray Frederickson, James Marsden, Erica Tremblay, Sterlin Harjo, Tim Blake Nelson and Alfre Woodard.
Brodie is from Ramona, Oklahoma (north of Tulsa) and is best known for production on Minari, Reservation Dogs and Fancy Dance. He began editing films in 2008, making his way from local to national film festivals, leading to work on Food Network productions and feature films for Magnet Releasing and Blumhouse Productions. He later served as UPM and Associate Producer on Sterlin Harjo’s feature film, Mekko, and produced the series Flipping The Heartland for HGTV. Dylan has worked on shows of all sizes, including the STARZ series American Gods, feature films The Mule, Stillwater, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, and Killers of the Flower Moon. He has been the UPM on commercials for companies including Nike, 2K Sports, Dish Network, and Warstic baseball bats featuring Jack White. Dylan continues to produce and production manage diverse projects and recently served as UPM for the Oscar-winning A24/Plan B film Minari, the Sundance 2023 selection and #dCFF23 Best Narrative Feature and Best Indigenous Feature from the 2023 deadCenter Film Festival Fancy Dance, and is Associate Producer on the Disney/FX television series Reservation Dogs.
Brodie is the producer of the short film “Vivian” by Cheyenne Scarborough, which centers on the precarity of the working-class female experience as the title character tries to make $300 in one day to avoid eviction in this year’s Okie Shorts block, as well as “ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ (Meet Me at the Creek)” by director Loren Waters about interconnectedness and Cherokee values through the lifelong fight of Waterkeeper Warrior Rebecca Jim who leads the effort to restore Tar Creek, located in Miami, Oklahoma, which has been designated as irreversibly damaged by U.S. government officials.
Sparks is a Lawton native and actor known for roles in Boardwalk Empire and House of Cards. He recently wrapped Jeff Nichols film, The Bikeriders, for 21st Century Fox, Michael Shannon’s directorial debut, Eric Larue, and Lost on a Mountain in Maine, based on the best-selling biography of the same name. Paul is currently shooting season three of Apple+ series Physical opposite Rose Byrne. Additional series credits include Joe Pickett and Waco for Paramount+, Stephen Kings’ Castlerock for Hulu, HBO’s The Night Of and Boardwalk Empire, Netflix’s House of Cards, Starz’ The Girlfriend Experience and Sweetbitter, plus feature films The Lovebirds, The Greatest Showman and Midnight Special. Sparks is also a lauded theater actor; his distinguished work on stage has earned him five Drama Desk Awards nominations in collaboration with some of theater’s brightest playwrights: Adam Rapp, Craig Wright, and Stephen Belber. Sparks will be at the festival with his film Hands That Bind.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from my home state. Oklahoma has always been a source of inspiration for me. Though I’ve lived in New York City for many years, my Oklahoma-ness is incurable,” says Sparks. “I think there are qualities that all of us share: friendliness, resilience, earnestness, a wry sense of humor; these traits are part of our DNA. As I survey the past recipients of this award, I am grateful to the deadCenter Film Festival for bringing attention to these unique voices and nurturing new ones. I am very proud to be a part of its legacy.”
Last week at Rodeo Cinema Stockyards, deadCenter Film hosted its second Festival Preview event, organized to explore themes and stories of this year’s film selections through exclusive sneak peeks and quality conversations. The event featured programmers Kevin Ely, Camila Chaves Rojas, Laron Chapman, Paris Burris, and assistant programmer Julia Witcher, moderated by Sunrise Tippeconnie, Director of Programming for deadCenter Film. The group provided industry tips for navigating the festival, revealed short film program titles, highlighted returning or festival alum filmmakers, shared themes such as Backgrounding of Identity Politics, Entertainment vs. Exploitation and Resilience through Trauma and, notably, outlined the individual film titles sequenced throughout the short programs, while also announcing the OSCAR®-Qualifying category selections of Live Action Shorts and Animated Short Film.
Returning to the festival this year will be Family Fest, free and outdoor screenings, nightly parties and the dC Awards. New this year is the dCHub at the Fordson Hotel.
The 24th Annual deadCenter Film Festival will take place June 6-9. Additional film selections and programming highlights will be released weekly until the festival begins. Passes are currently on sale for $200 at deadcenterfilm.org.
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