The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO), in conjunction with Woods County Economic Development, is proud to announce the City of Alva, the City of Waynoka and the Town of Freedom have achieved certification as Oklahoma Film Friendly Communities. With this effort, these communities have become the first in Woods County to achieve such designation.
“We are thrilled to have Alva, Freedom and Waynoka officially recognized as certified film friendly communities,” said Woods County Economic Development Director Jeremy Zeller. “From a university to a desert to an old west town, Woods County has a lot of locations to offer film, television and more!”
Located in northwestern Oklahoma, Alva serves as the county seat and cultural center of Woods County. The city’s historic downtown square, lined with early 20th-century architecture and a growing arts scene, provides a cinematic backdrop reminiscent of both classic Americana and vibrant small-town life. Home to Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva offers collegiate facilities, theaters, sports complexes and housing that can support film productions of various sizes.
South of Alva, Waynoka draws visitors and productions alike with its historic Santa Fe Depot, a relic of the town’s railroad heritage, and its proximity to Little Sahara State Park. The park’s sweeping sand dunes—spanning more than 1,600 acres—provide a striking natural setting for productions seeking otherworldly or desert landscapes without leaving Oklahoma.
Nestled near the Cimarron River and Alabaster Caverns State Park, the town of Freedom highlights the rugged western heritage of Woods County. Known for hosting one of the longest-running rodeos in the state, Freedom provides filmmakers with authentic access to arenas, ranching landscapes and a community steeped in cowboy tradition with nearby natural wonders, including gypsum caves and dramatic red rock terrain.
“We are excited to become part of the Film Friendly Community Program,” said Town of Freedom Mayor Concha Herrera. “The Town of Freedom has a lot of beautiful landscapes and one of the most unique downtowns. These attractions would make a great scenery for film and television productions.”
Over the last decade, a number of film and television productions have filmed within Woods County, including projects such as “The Bygone,” “American Gods,” “Jurassic Games,” “The Homecoming Trilogy” and more. The addition of Woods County to the Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program further strengthens OF+MO’s mission to grow and support Oklahoma’s film and television industry while empowering communities to showcase their assets to a global audience.
“We applaud the collaborative spirit and dedication of the local leadership within Woods County and these communities who’ve worked diligently to accomplish this milestone,” said OF+MO Director Jeanette Stanton. “The addition of these communities to our certified film friendly network further expands the program’s outreach to Northern Oklahoma and will help further showcase the unique resources within this region in consideration of future economic and development opportunities within the film and television industry.”
For more information on OF+MO’s Oklahoma Film Friendly Community Program, including a list of certified film-friendly communities, visit okfilmmusic.org/filmfriendly.
Click here for photos of film-friendly locations in Alva.
Click here for photos of film-friendly locations in Waynoka.
Click here for photos of film-friendly locations in Freedom.
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About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office:
Under the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) works to promote the state as a viable hub for film, television and music production as well as further develop opportunities for workforce, business and community growth within these sectors. For more information on the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, including the state’s film incentives and additional resources, visit okfilmmusic.org.
