Broken Arrow backs new film festival and approves up to $53,750 in film/hotel incentives for upcoming Sony‑Affirm production

Michaela Barton, the city's tourism manager, presented a proposal for the inaugural Broken Arrow Film Festival and Convention, noting that Visit Broken Arrow's board unanimously approved $50,000 in hotel‑tax funds to support startup costs, marketing and programming. Brad Heath, one of the festival organizers, said the event is intended to become a signature annual festival that will attract filmmakers and industry attendees from across the region.

Council then considered a film incentive and hotel rebate application for a production called "Live Like That Movie LLC," produced with Red Clay Studios and a Sony/Affirm distribution arrangement. Staff reported the film's stated budget at $6.7 million and estimated local production spending at roughly $1 million (with producers saying the local spend may increase to $2–3 million). Cassidy Lunan (producer) said the production anticipates 5–7 shooting days in Broken Arrow, hiring 15–20 local residents, and using local hotels (estimated 550–800 hotel room nights under revised projections). She gave production dates of Nov. 10–Dec. 17 and said the film is planned for a theatrical release on roughly 2,000 screens.

Council members asked about funding sources; staff confirmed the festival funding comes from hotel‑tax (lodging tax) dollars and that the requested $53,750 in total incentive funding was split into $41,000 from the film incentive program budget and $12,750 from a hotel‑rebate account. Council moved and seconded to approve the professional services agreement for the festival and to authorize the film and hotel incentive rebate not to exceed $53,750. Organizers committed to provide a post‑event report with attendance, hotel‑nights and budget outcomes after the festival.