Lights! Cameras! Action!

Will Rogers was the Number 1 movie star in America in 1934, and last year marked the 100th anniversary of his first silent movie, “Laughing Bill Hyde.” This year, the first Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival will be coming to Claremore, October 30-November 2.

“I think this event is a perfect fit to remember Will’s career and create opportunities for others to experience their dreams. Will was always known as a friend to everyone and this festival will be a family-friendly event everyone can attend,” he said.

Claremore-based actress, Lea McCormick has also been part of the event planning process.

“We have been researching film festivals around the country, and we want to make this festival unique and exciting for the participants and the entire community,” said McCormick.  “We think this can provide another opportunity for movie directors to display their creative works.”

The Festival accepted movies in the following categories: College Shorts, Made in Oklahoma, American Indian/First Nation/Indigenous, Documentary, Narrative, Comedy and Children’s. The Children’s category will have a 14 and under and 15-18 category.

There will be lots of activities throughout the Festival including a Kick-Off event, lectures, after parties, lots of movies to watch at different venues around Claremore and the Dog Irons Award Ceremony on November 2nd at the Will Rogers Auditorium on the Rogers State University campus. 

Some of the special lecture guests include Barry Corbin - who has been in several movies and the TV show Northern Exposure, Ariel Tweto – who starred in the Discovery Channel show Flying Wild Alaska and is a co-host of FNX’s Native Shorts, and Stuntman Terrence Julien – who has done work on Black Panther and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Festival tickets, volunteer information and event schedule can be found at www.DOGIRONS.com.  There is also a chance to win a free All-Access pass, a $100 value, by taking selfies with Will Rogers movie posters that are scattered around Claremore and tagging #reelwill.  A winner will be chosen each week through October. 

“This Festival is going to take a lot of work, and volunteers are needed to help make this happen,” said Jones.  “If you like movies, please sign up through our website to be a volunteer and you will also get a cool shirt.”