Chief Operating Officer and Festival Director Kim Haywood is one of only two people working at deadCENTER Film Festival, yet she still finds time to share her love of movies with the community. Haywood has helped deadCENTER grow for the past ten years. She puts on events, finds volunteers, and teaches students about film.
deadCENTER’s rooftop has been made into a patio, set up with chairs, tables, and décor, making it the ideal spot to host movie screenings, which is exactly what Haywood does. The screenings show work from independent filmmakers whose films were registered at the festival and it is open to the community.
Haywood began working at deadCENTER as a volunteer for the annual June festival. Once she began getting involved, she couldn’t stop helping out. She’s shaped the festival from a one-day event, to now being a five-day event for 1,300 people. Her passion for films is embedded in her belief that people have stories that need to be shared. “There’s a topic or there’s a story; there’s something out there, that once I hear it I’m going to say ‘I want to make that documentary,’” Haywood said.
Executive Director Lance McDaniel also began as a volunteer at deadCENTER in 2005. Now, they depend on each other for everyday issues and crisis. Their mission at deadCENTER states: “Our mission is to promote, encourage and celebrate the independent film arts.” Haywood utilizes this mission through her projects. “She’s good at getting people excited about different things,” McDaniel said. “She rallies people to do things that are fun and good for the community.”
Haywood is currently working on getting a grant to help fund projects. These include visiting various schools all over Oklahoma to teach students about films. Students learn various aspects of film, from narrative to making and producing their own movies. Through grants and other resources, Haywood will continue reaching out and impacting others.
(VIDEO: Kelsey Hightower 1:40)
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