OKLAHOMA CITY – The deadCenter Film Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary by announcing its award winners during a ceremony Saturday night at the Te Ata Theater in Oklahoma Contemporary. The festival ran for five days, showcasing a number of films that drew a noticeably larger audience than in previous years, including several sold-out screenings.
Cacky Poarch, the festival’s outgoing executive director, expressed pride in the achievement of the festival over the past quarter-century. “As we honor this year’s award winners, we also honor all the people that brought this festival to life,” she said. Poarch was unexpectedly recognized with a special award for her leadership and contributions to the festival.
The festival awarded numerous films in various categories, highlighting both established and emerging talent. The top honors included "500 Fireflies" for Best Narrative Feature and "Anywhere" for Best Oklahoma Narrative Feature. Other notable awards included "Drowned Land" for Best Oklahoma Documentary and "F*** That Guy," which was recognized as the Best Live-Action Short in an Academy Award-qualifying category.
A series of Special Jury Prizes were also distributed, with "The Other People" receiving recognition in the Narrative Feature category and "Wafaa from Gaza" in the Documentary Short category. In addition, the festival also honored musical and artistic contributions, with awards for Best Music Video going to Kai Straw for "Chokin’."
The ceremony marked a pivotal moment for the festival beyond the awards, as it saw the transition from Poarch’s leadership to that of Amy Janes. Janes, who co-owns the Filmmaker’s Ranch production facility and is involved with various film industry initiatives, is set to take on the role of executive director. She views this new position as a primary commitment that will shift her focus from her other ventures in the industry.
“I expect this to be the thing,” Janes stated about her upcoming role. Her leadership comes at a vital time for the festival, poised to continue fostering creativity and camaraderie within the filmmaking community.
Poarch, who previously stepped down from her role only to return, plans to take a well-deserved break. "I promised my husband that I’d take at least a three-month sabbatical," she shared, looking forward to some time off after her dedicated service.
The deadCenter Film Festival continues to be a significant platform for filmmakers, drawing attention to diverse storytelling and celebrating artistic expression. As the festival looks toward the future, it remains committed to its mission of uplifting the cinematic arts in Oklahoma and beyond.
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