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ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA FILM FRIENDLY COMMUNITY PROGRAM
PHOTO CREDIT: ZACHARY BURNS
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Adivision of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) first implemented its Film Friendly Program in 2010 hosting statewide workshops across all Tourism Countries to educate and assist communities with readying themselves for incoming film and television productions. These workshops have proven to be successful in providing information on best practices when working with film and television productions as well as identifying Oklahoma communities who are eager to recruit such business to their areas.
While we’re proud to continue offering our educational workshops throughout the state, our new Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program will help communities develop the necessary permits and protocol to address film and television production in their areas. It is our goal to establish certified film-friendly communities in all 77 Oklahoma counties that can assist film and television production companies on a local level, so that everyone who chooses may be represented in this booming industry. As such, these certified communities will work with OF+MO and their city leadership to establish a designated film liaison in their areas, as well as infrastructure and permits, which will better serve their areas and the film industry for years to come.
Those interested in receiving official designation from OF+MO as a certified Oklahoma Film Friendly Community may apply by contacting the office after reviewing the requirements detailed in this handbook.
Interested parties can also request a Film Friendly Community workshop by contacting Yousef Kazemi, Outreach + Production Manager, at Yousef.Kazemi@OKCommerce.gov.
All communities, regardless of their choice to seek official certification, are invited to submit information on their areas for the expanded statewide community profiles on our website. We would love to know what makes your area unique and what you can offer filmmakers by completing our Film Community Survey.
Please follow us on social media (@okfilmmusic) or subscribe here to our e-blasts and monthly newsletter for more information on upcoming OF+MO events and when we may be in your community. 12
