Local Film Premieres At Digital Festival, Shows Oklahoma Production Opportunities

Oklahoma film “Send Me Wings,” is set to premiere at the Branson Film Festival next week.

The short Christian film stars Rachel Cannon, an actor and producer who recently moved back to Oklahoma from Hollywood.

“The film really highlights the importance of community which is a really relatable topic right now,” Cannon said.

The movie was shot completely in Oklahoma. It is set to show in three festivals, all of which have moved to a digital format due to COVID-19.

“You can go online to watch these film festivals which is great because it doesn’t matter where you are,” Cannon said.

Like many other industries, film production has halted during the pandemic.

“The world is changing. So, the industry is going to be changing right along with that,” Cannon said.

Cannon, an advocate for expanding filming opportunities in Oklahoma, is hoping when movie making starts again that it happens in this state.

“I want us to be able to provide hope to Oklahomans who are out of work and out of options, and I want them to see that a film industry coming here really does help Oklahoma in a lot of ways,” Cannon said.

Based on her experience in the industry, Cannon predicts filmmakers will be looking for new locations within US borders when recovery begins.

“The way that people film is going to change. Craft services is going to change. There will be testing before people go back to work,” Cannon said.

Cannon has been working with lawmakers long before the pandemic to expand Oklahoma film production

“It is a lower cost area. It’s lower to do business. Like the prices here are so much better. These wide-open spaces are going to come in hand,” Cannon said.

“Send Me Wings,” will also show at the International Christian Film and Music Festival and the DeadCenter Film Festival.

“We are going to be talking to a lot of those streaming platforms and trying to capture some of that business for Oklahoma. I think it’s really important that Oklahoma is ready for it,” Cannon said.