The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) is proud to share the second installment of the Cherokee Nation Film Office’s (CNFO) OklaHomies Short Film Contest. Aptly titled “OklaHomies 2: Still at Home”, this contest offers a fun and entertaining way to embrace the film industry while highlighting local film careers and talent over the spring break holiday.
CNFO first began this contest last year to engage moviemakers, film enthusiasts and audiences who were battling the stress and anxiety of challenging times amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The contest was well received garnering 75 genre-spanning submissions including comedy, horror, action and inspirational films, which garnered nearly 40,000 view and 3,000 votes by fans. This year, the OklaHomies contest is back with new film categories, themes and more to engage audiences once again.
“We launched this contest last year […] and were positively overwhelmed by the response and engagement we saw from the public,” said Jennifer Loren, Director of CNFO. “This is such a fun project and a great way for the film office to support our mission and show people in our state that this artform is within reach, no matter who you are or what level of education you have.”
Now open and accepting submissions until March 26, 2021, “OklaHomies 2: Still at Home” participants must live in the state of Oklahoma and all films must be recorded in-state as well as using a smartphone for filming and editing. All films must be family-friendly and include at least one shot of the following: zoom/video conferencing platforms, distance learning, masks, and/or social and physical distancing. This year’s contest will have an 80’s theme and bonus points will be awarded by the judges committees for those who participate as such.
Participants may submit in one of the following categories for which awards and cash prizes will be given for first place and fan favorite: Best Short Film (under 5 Minutes), Best Short Short Film (under 1 minute), K-12 Student Short Film and Indigenous Short Film. Winning films will be featured on the big screen during the CNFO Drive-In Movie Nights at the 2021 Cherokee Nation Holiday and will also take home a $300 Visa gift card and personalized trophy.
First time filmmakers or novices need not worry and are highly encouraged to participate as this contest is a great way to get involved and have fun while learning something new. CNFO will offer filmmaker tutorials on its website and social media to help guide participants and demonstrate that filmmaking is within reach for all.
“The Cherokee Nation continues to be a champion for both their Indigenous communities and the state’s film industry, and we are so appreciative of their work and successes thus far as they continue raising the bar for their region and all of Oklahoma,” said Tava Maloy Sofsky, Director of OF+MO.
For a complete list of contest rules and regulations and to learn more about the Cherokee Nation Film Office, visit cherokee.film/oklahomies.
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About Oklahoma Film + Music Office
Created in 1979, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) strives to share all that Oklahoma has to offer by welcoming filmmakers and music professionals to the state and by creating a network of support to develop Oklahoma’s film and music industries. For more information about the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program or the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, visit okfilmmusic.org.