Media release
OKLAHOMA CITY (January 22, 2025) – Oklahoma City has been listed as No. 13 on MovieMaker Magazine’s 2025 list of “The Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” in the U.S. and Canada. This recognition coincides with the Oklahoma Film & Music Office’s official designation of Oklahoma City as a film-friendly city last week. Mayor David Holt celebrated the achievements, stating, “We truly are the capital of film for this state and remain enthusiastic about growing this industry.”
The Oklahoma City Film and Creative Industries Office, established two years ago in partnership with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, has been instrumental in elevating the city’s status in the film industry.
“Oklahoma City’s inclusion on MovieMaker’s list of Top 25 North American cities after only two years of the office’s existence is incredible,” said Jill Simpson, executive director of the Oklahoma City Film and Creative Industries Office. “Over the past couple of years, the State of Oklahoma and the City of Oklahoma City have worked in tandem to change the landscape for filmmakers wanting to live and work here. Their continuing support is vital.”
Oklahoma City served as both a home base and filming location for the summer 2024 blockbuster Twisters, further solidifying its reputation as a go-to destination for major productions. With a strong local workforce – over 600 crew members representing 30% of the state’s total crew base – and state-of-the-art facilities like Filmmakers Ranch, Boiling Point Media, One Set Studio and Apex Post offering top-tier resources for production and post-production work, Oklahoma City is competing at the national level to be a destination for filmmakers.
“Studios and indie production companies are always looking to the jurisdictions with the best incentives and infrastructure to support their projects,” Simpson said. “They also want to know that past productions filmed here have had a good experience.”
A key driver of this momentum is the city’s innovative 5–10% cash rebate, launched in 2023, which stacks with Oklahoma’s statewide 20–30% rebate. This financial incentive has been critical in attracting both studio blockbusters and locally produced independent projects. Additionally, the Oklahoma City Film Office collaborates with city officials to expedite rebate applications, often cutting approval time down to just a few days.
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