Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell will be honored with the Visionary Leadership Award during this year’s deadCenter Film Festival for his efforts to grow Oklahoma’s film and television industry.
The award recognizes individuals whose leadership has helped advance Oklahoma’s creative economy and strengthen the state’s position as a destination for film, television and digital media production.
Under Pinnell’s leadership as lieutenant governor and secretary of tourism, Oklahoma has expanded its film incentive programs and attracted a growing number of film and television productions. State officials say the industry has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity while creating jobs across Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma’s film industry is one of our state’s greatest economic development success stories,” Pinnell said. “From major motion pictures and television productions to independent filmmakers telling uniquely Oklahoma stories, we’ve built an industry that is creating jobs, driving tourism and showcasing our state to audiences around the world.”
The award will be presented during the 26th annual deadCenter Film Festival, which runs June 10 through June 14 in downtown Oklahoma City.
Founded in 2001, the festival is Oklahoma’s largest film festival and showcases independent filmmakers from Oklahoma and across the country.
This year’s festival will also honor Lou Diamond Phillips as the inaugural recipient of the Legacy Icon Award.
