Group works to preserve Oklahoma’s historic Film Row, in need of community support

A group of Oklahomans shared with News 9 on Monday that they are working to preserve Oklahoma City’s iconic Film Row, which has been around since the early 1900’s. 

Film Row has lived downtown off Sheridan Avenue (formerly Grand Avenue) since the 1930’s, according to its website. In late June, the community found out that the lease on the Paramount on Film Row, Oklahoma’s oldest screening room, wouldn’t be renewed. 

“We were like, ‘well, it’s going to be gutted if nobody does anything,’ so we took it upon ourselves to start a movement to save this place,” said Cam Hunter, who works digital media for Oklahoma Film Exchange (OFX). 

Nearly a dozen people came together and founded the OFX. 

"Oklahoma Film Exchange is a film and arts collective dedicated to saving this space at the film room screening room, and also making film and other art more accessible to the community,” said River Lunsford, who works communications and marketing for OFX. 

The group said it operates mostly on donations. 

"Right now, we're doing a pay-what-you-can model, which just goes for ticket admission. We just want to open up the opportunity for people who want to experience art, but maybe don't have a lot to give. That should not discredit them from coming in and experiencing something,” Lunsford explained. 

OFX said it has a niche taste. 

"Anything from kind of cult films to art house films. We do not focus on first releases. We focus on repertory screenings, which just means films that have been out of theatre distribution for a few years; several years, decades, whatever it may be,” he added. 

The group said one of the best ways to support and preserve the historic district is by following the OFX and the Paramount on Film Row on social media. 

Lunsford and Hunter added that the Paramount on Film Row will open back up September 11 with a mystery film.