The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) has certified Oklahoma City as one of the state’s film friendly cities.
“Oklahoma City is proud to be officially designated as a film friendly community,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “We truly are the capital of film for this state, and we remain enthusiastic about growing this industry. Our city has created a local film incentive and we have pursued partnerships that allow our city to host major films and television shows.” He continues, “The future of this industry in our city remains bright. And when films come to OKC, they not only help shape our identity, but they also create jobs and support local businesses. For example, the ‘Twisters’ shoot spent $42.6 million directly in Oklahoma City with a total economic impact to our city of over $200 million.”
OF+MO certifies film friendly communities statewide that support production companies by designating a film liaison, establishing a film permit and increasing the representation of their community assets in OF+MO’s online Oklahoma locations directory.
“Oklahoma City’s longstanding support of film and television has moved the needle forward in demonstrating to the global entertainment industry our state’s pro-business support and thriving creative climate as a premier destination for filmmakers,” said OF+MO Outreach and Production Manager Yousef Kazemi. “We are thrilled to officially designate the city of Oklahoma City as a film friendly certified community, and we are grateful to city leadership both past and present, who have helped spearhead these efforts, including our partners at the Oklahoma City Film & Creative Industries Office, all of whom work together to elevate our state as a hub for creative storytelling and economic growth.”
In 2022, Oklahoma City and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber established the Oklahoma City Film & Creative Industries Office to recruit projects to film in OKC, provide location support, connect productions with local resources, administer OKC’s film incentive program and more.
“Thanks to Oklahoma City’s strong support for the film and television production industry, we are now home to both virtual and live-action studios, the only Dolby Atmos mixing room in this part of the country and a crew base skilled in everything from digital visual effects and animation to traditional production and post-production,” said Oklahoma City Film & Creative Industries Office Executive Director Jill Simpson. “Our incentive program poises us to recruit and support a wide range of projects as we continue to build a homegrown entertainment industry right here in Oklahoma City.”
Oklahoma City is the home of many successful production studios, including Prairie Surf Studios, Filmmaker’s Ranch, Boiling Point Media, Apex Post OKC and One Set Studio.
Oklahoma City is also home to the deadCenter Film Festival, the state’s largest and most prestigious film festival. deadCenter is one of only 27 film festivals with Oscar®-qualifying distinction in all three short film categories, including Best Live Action Short, Best Animated Short and Best Documentary Short. Celebrating its 25th year, the deadCenter Film Festival has been named one of the “20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker Magazine and “Top 100 Rated Film Festivals” by FilmFreeway.
In 2024, MovieMaker Magazine named Oklahoma City Community College among the top 30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada.
For more information on filming in the City of Oklahoma City, visit filminokc.com.
For more information on OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program, including a list of certified film friendly communities, visit okfilmmusic.org/filmfriendly.
Click here for photos of film friendly locations in Oklahoma City.
Portions of the following productions have been shot in Oklahoma City since 2021: “Twisters,” “Tulsa King,” “Cricket,” “Urban Vanity,” “Jurassic Games,” “Jurassic Pet,” “Keep Quiet,” “The Huntsman,” “Reagan,” “The Flaming Lips Bubble Concert,” “Land of Gold,” “What Rhymes with Reason,” “Country Gold,” “Second Chances,” “Prom Bandits,” “For the Love of Money,” “How I Met Your Murderer,” “Deadly Misconduct,” “College Professor Obsession,” “Malicious Motives,” “American Ninja Warrior,” “Tracking a Killer,” “American Underdog,” “WWE Raw,” “C.I. Ape” and “Deadly Dating Game.”
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About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office
Under the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) works to promote the state as a viable hub for film, television and music production as well as further develop opportunities for workforce, business and community growth within these sectors. For more information on the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, including the state’s film incentives and additional resources, visit okfilmmusic.org.
