Oklahoma’s thriving film and television industry continues to be recognized among the top destinations for production in North America with MovieMaker Magazine ranking both Oklahoma City and Tulsa among its Best Places to Live and Work as a Filmmaker in 2022.
The annual list, which considers markets in both the United States and Canada, is divided into two categories, big cities and small cities/towns, with Oklahoma City ranking #13 out of 25 big cities, and Tulsa ranking #5 out of 10 small cities/towns. Both cities have risen two spots from last year’s ranking in 2021. Dedicated to the art and craft of making movies, MovieMaker compiles this list based on surveys, production spending, film incentives, additional research and personal visits where possible.
“Oklahoma City and Tulsa have moved up in our list in no small part thanks to the Filmed in Oklahoma Act, which raised incentives from $8 million to $30 million and offers great cash rebates to encourage filming in Oklahoma,” says MovieMaker editor-in-chief Tim Molloy. “The community is seeing the results in an abundance of big and small productions. Local indie filmmaking mastermind Mickey Reece put it best when he said, ‘Don’t believe me, ask Scorsese’ — since the director filmed his latest in the Sooner State.”
Oklahoma’s film and television industry continues to grow. During 2021, film and television production soared with Oklahoma welcoming its first fulltime scripted television series, the critically acclaimed FX television series “Reservation Dogs”; as well as the Apple Studios film “Killers of the Flower Moon,” the largest motion picture to ever be produced in Oklahoma. In Fiscal Year 21 (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021), the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) estimates the creation of 11,004 local career opportunities with a direct fiscal impact of $170.4 million from 32 film and television productions utilizing the state’s film incentive program. Accommodating productions of all sizes, additional Oklahoma film production highlights include “American Underdog,” “Ida Red,” “Wild Indian,” “Stillwater,” “13 Minutes,” “Reagan,” “God’s Not Dead 4” and “Agnes,” to name a few.
“This last year, Oklahoma’s film and television industry welcomed a multitude of new opportunities that would not have been possible had it not been for the support and dedication of leadership at the state and local levels, crew and businesses,” said OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky. “We’re incredibly grateful to be laying the groundwork for the future of Oklahoma film and television with our partners, and we’re honored that MovieMaker Magazine has named Oklahoma City and Tulsa among the top places to live and work as a filmmaker.”
The 2022 list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker appears in the Winter 2022 issue, or access the complete 2022 list of Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker at MovieMaker.com.
For more information on Oklahoma’s film and television industry, visit okfilmmusic.org.
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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.