The Circle Cinema Film Festival is sponsored by Black Optical, WeStreet Credit Union, Cherokee Nation Film Office, Aberson’s, Oklahoma Film + Music Office, McNellie’s Group, Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts, and Culture, Spexton Fine Jewelry, O’Fallon Properties, Tulsa Remote, and Nevaqaya Fine Arts.

Circle Cinema originally opened on July 15, 1928 and is now Tulsa’s only remaining classic movie house still in operation. The theater changed ownership and formats several times over the decades before going dark in the 90s. In 2003, Clark Wiens and George R. Kravis III bought the theater and started the 501(c)(3) Circle Cinema Foundation to reopen as a nonprofit cinema advancing community consciousness through film.

“This year’s Festival is a culmination of everything Circle has worked for,” said Chuck Foxen, Circle Cinema Deputy Director and Programmer. “We think this lineup truly speaks to Circle’s vision as a space where everyone can come together and bond through the magic of movies.”

“We’re so excited for everyone to see this year’s films, we had a recorded number submitted for consideration,” said Kerry Wiens, Circle Cinema Film Festival volunteer coordinator. “Every film has a connection to Oklahoma, and there will be more opportunities than ever for guests to talk with the filmmakers and learn about the creative process.”

Two films will be awarded Best Circle Cinema Film Festival features, documentary “ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak)” and narrative “Bug Man.” Other Festival highlights include: “Oklahoma Breakdown: The Mike Hosty Story” with Q&A and live performance by Mike Hosty. “Oklahoma Underground” with director Brea Mullen Q&A plus a “Miami in Tulsa” reception featuring art from the film. Filmmakers and reporters featured in “Bad Press” will talk about the fight for freedom of press with KOSU and Tulsa Artist Fellowship as part of the Native Spotlight Series sponsored by the Flint Family Foundation. The popular “Student Shorts” and “Okie Shorts” programs return, presenting new shorts from student and professional Oklahoma filmmakers.

Tickets for these and more are on sale now at CircleCinema.org/CCFF. The full lineup follows, and for more information call (918)585-3456 or visit the theater at 10 S. Lewis Ave, Tulsa OK 74104.

2023 Circle Cinema Film Festival Schedule

Thursday Jul 13

7:30pm: Exclusive Kick-off party for VIPs and All-Access Pass holders with a screening of “Enlighten” by Tulsan Keith “Sneak” Daniels

Friday July 14

5:15pm: “Cheese Sisters” Comedy, 30min

with Connie Franklin (director), Roger Cude (producer) and Jack Copeland (editor) Q&A

6:30pm: “Oklahoma Breakdown: The Mike Hosty Story” Documentary, 92min

with Mike Hosty and director Christopher Fitzpatrick Q&A moderated by Ryan Allen (OK POP) plus Mike Hosty perfoms at Rush Fest in Kendall Whittier after the film

9:00pm: “Model House” Thriller, 85min

with director Derek Pike Q&A via Zoom plus animated short by Tulsan Joe Cappa before the feature

Saturday July 15

10:00am: Free Kids Hour with locally-made Indigenous short films suitable for all ages

11:00am: Free Crystal Kayiza Short Films and Conversation

See three of Crystal’s award-winning shorts followed by a discussion moderated by research professional Autumn Brown, PhD

11:30am: Exploring Feminism in Horror

Tickets just $5 for a horror film screening followed by a discussion with Julia Holeman, host of Sisters of Cinema Film Club

12:00pm: Free Circle Cinema 95th Birthday Celebration

2:00pm: “Bad Press” Documentary, 98 min – catered reception before the film at 1:00pm

with Becca Landsberry-Baker (director), Angel Ellis (reporter featured in the film), and Shannon Shaw Duty (Osage News editor) Q&A moderated by Allison Herrera (KOSU Indigenous Affairs reporter).In partnership with KOSU and Tulsa Artist Fellowship as part of Circle’s Native Spotlight Series sponsored by the Flint Family Foundation.

2:30pm: “Riding Legacy: An Oklahoma Black Cowboy Story” Documentary, 60min

with Nicole Jocleen (producer), Kian Taylor (co-director), and James Ridley (co-director) Q&A moderated by Autumn Brown, PhD

2:30pm: Student Shorts part 1

A list of shorts featured will be available online, with many of the filmmakers in attendance

2:30pm: “Psychopath” Documentary, 83min

with filmmakers Manny Marquez and Suzette Marquez Q&A plus animated short by Tulsan Joe Cappa before the feature

5:00pm: “Fancy Dance” Documentary, 90min

with Dylan Brodie (co-producer) and Charles Elmore (camera operator) Q&A moderated by Brit Hensel.

5:30pm “Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection” Documentary, 90min

with Randy Schmidt (writer & producer Q&A) moderated by Magic City Books’ Jeff Martin. Reception and book signing with Randy before the feature at 4:30pm. Encore screening with Q&A Sunday July 16, 1:30pm.

7:30pm: “Oklahoma Underground” Documentary, 30min

with director Brea Mullen Q&A moderated by Bianca Caampued (Tulsa Creative Engine) and “Miami in Tulsa” party after with live DJ and art from the film.

8:00pm: Okie Shorts part 1

A list of shorts featured will be available online, with many of the filmmakers in attendance

9:00pm: “Hell Hath No Fury” Comedy, 70min

with Zachary Burns (director), Jacob Burns (writer) and Leah Philpott (lead actor) Q&A moderated by Yousef Kazemi (Oklahoma Film + Music Office)

Sunday July 16

11:00am: Student Shorts part 2

A list of shorts featured will be available online, with many of the filmmakers in attendance

12:00pm: Exploring Feminism in Horror

Tickets just $5 for a horror film screening followed by a discussion with Kris Rose, author of “Mentally Unbalanced and Violent: The Hagsploitation Film”

1:30pm: Okie Shorts part 2

A list of shorts featured will be available online, with many of the filmmakers in attendance

2:00pm: “Oklahoma!” Stage Play, 150min

Special presentation recorded from the 1998 London staging starring Hugh Jackman

4:00pm: Tulsa! Workshop

Free workshop and discussion with the creative team behind a new musical “Tulsa!”

4:00pm:”ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ (We Will Speak)” Documentary, 98min

Winner of the Circle Cinema Film Festival Best Documentary Feature, with filmmaker Q&A to be announced

5:30pm: “Barroom Heroes” Documentary, 70min

Premiere screening with remembrance for Daniel Davis Aston who was tragically killed in the Club Q shooting. Daniel was from Broken Arrow and worked at Elote, the restaurant featured in the film. Q&A with Libby Billings (Elote owner), Logan Walcher (director and luchador), Ray Martinez (wrestling booker and luchador), Kellan Parker (luchador), and Pat Foster (luchador) moderated by Tim Landes (Tulsa People).

7:00pm: “Bug Man” Drama, 88min

Winner of the Circle Cinema Film Festival Best Narrative Feature, with Clayton Tramel (director) and Alex Sanchez (actor) Q&A moderated by Jimmie Tramel (Tulsa World)