Tonkawa Film Festival hosted by the Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce

Nestled in the heart of farming country in North Central Oklahoma is the small town of Tonkawa. First settled by the Tonkawa Indian tribe in 1884 at a time when numerous tribes from across the country were being sent to what at the time was Indian Territory. Oklahoma later became a state in 1907. In 1921 oil was found in an area just south of Tonkawa later named ‘Three Sands’, making millionaires overnight as it became one of the largest oil fields in the world at the time.

Today, Tonkawa is home to just over 3,000 citizens, as well as Northern Oklahoma College which was established in 1901. With state of the art facilities, it provides the screening experience filmmakers and film lovers deserve.

The history of film is long in Oklahoma dating back to when Thomas Edison sent a film crew in 1904 to the 101 Ranch just South West of Tonkawa to film westerns. That tradition has continued for the past century with such notable films as The Grapes of Wrath, The Outsiders, Rain Man, August: Osage County, Twister, and most recently the indie hits American Honey and Wildlife starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

The Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce and the citizens of Tonkawa are excited to welcome filmmakers from around the United States to screen their films at the beautiful 200 seat theater in Wilkin Hall located on the Northern Oklahoma College campus. Filmmakers will be treated to a true small town experience as they are celebrated in a film festival themed parade through downtown Tonkawa, as well as unique experiences from the moment they arrive until they head back home with stories to tell.

OKLAHOMA FILMMAKERS: If you are a resident of Oklahoma, email a copy of your license showing Oklahoma residency to TonkawaFilm@gmail.com and we'll send you a code for $5 OFF your entry fee.

We look forward to meeting you and celebrating you and your films!