The upcoming biographical drama Sarah’s Oil tells the remarkable true story of Sarah Rector, an 11-year-old African American–Creek girl from early 1900s Oklahoma who unexpectedly became one of America’s youngest millionaires when oil was discovered on her allotted land.
Directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, the film is based on Tonya Bolden’s book, “Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America”. The cast features Naya Desir-Johnson as Sarah Rector, alongside Zachary Levi, Sonequa Martin-Green, Garret Dillahunt, and several other well-known actors. Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, the movie is set for a U.S. theatrical release on November 7, 2025.
In this article by NetFilming, we take a detailed look at the real filming locations used to bring Sarah’s extraordinary story to life.
Where Was Sarah’s Oil Filmed?
The production team selected authentic Oklahoma locations that could replicate the historical setting of the early 20th century. Principal photography took place in Okmulgee, with additional filming in Bristow and work carried out in the Bartlesville area.
1. Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Okmulgee, the capital of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, was the setting for a lot of the movie. Filming began around July 10, 2024 and the city’s well-preserved historic downtown was changed to look like the 1910s. For a short time, streets were closed and stores put up signs from the time period of the movie.
Choosing Okmulgee makes the story more culturally accurate because Sarah Rector’s real-life story is closely linked to the area’s history.
Trivia: Parts of the documentary The Creek Nation: A People’s History were also filmed in Okmulgee. This shows how important the city is for preserving Native American heritage.
2. Bristow, Oklahoma – The House Building
The production also used Bristow, particularly the historic House Building at Main Street and 8th Avenue. This Tudor Revival-style commercial structure, built in 1927–1928, was the filming site for key guardianship hearing scenes in the film.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building once housed major retailers like J.C. Penney and Montgomery Ward. Its preserved interior design made it an ideal backdrop for historical courtroom-style settings.
Trivia: Bristow’s downtown has been featured in the independent drama Sweet Inspirations, which also made use of its classic early 20th-century architecture.
3. Bartlesville, Oklahoma (Area Work)
Additional filming work was completed in the Bartlesville area, with some oil-field and town sequences likely shot nearby. Production papers say that there is a location facilities agreement with the Bartlesville Municipal Airport, which was used as a place to help with logistics instead of filming.
Local extras were likely hired for scenes showing oil workers and townspeople, according to casting calls from June 2024.
Trivia: Bartlesville is no stranger to Hollywood—parts of the Oscar-winning film The Outsiders were shot in the region, as well as scenes from Twister.
Production Timeline
Here’s a brief look at when Sarah’s Oil was filmed:
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| April 29, 2024 | Filming began (industry-reported start date) |
| June 2024 | Casting calls and filming in Bartlesville area |
| July 10, 2024 | Active filming in Okmulgee with street closures |
| July 2024 | Filming at Bristow’s House Building |
| August 2024 | Production wrapped |
Sarah’s Oil: Behind The Scenes
Making Sarah’s Oil was a special journey for everyone involved, especially since it’s based on a true family story. We filmed mostly in Oklahoma to stay true to Sarah Rector’s roots and the production wrapped up in August 2024 after starting in late April. Director Cyrus Nowrasteh shared a photo from the set, saying, “directing is lonely but exhilarating.” He and his wife Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh wrote the script, drawing from Tonya Bolden’s book to highlight Sarah’s faith and determination.
Family descendants played a big role, sharing insights in a featurette. One said, “Our aunt Sarah lived an incredible life. And it’s important to us that her story is being told.”
Another added, “I think Sarah will be proud of the way her story is portrayed. That’s all we wanted. We want to see the truth.”
Actor Naya Desir-Johnson, who plays Sarah, captured her spirit, with a cast member noting, “She was feisty. Yes, I like that. Sassy. Yeah, she was really sassy. You know, she knew what she wanted.”
According to ChurchLeaders, Kingdom Story Company’s CEO added a powerful note: “From the moment I heard about this incredible, largely unknown story, I was captivated and knew I had to bring it to the big screen… Sarah’s journey is one of remarkable resilience.” This passion translated into thoughtful production decisions, like shooting in real Oklahoma towns and involving locals, which helped maintain authenticity.
Zachary Levi, as a key character, brought energy to the set, while Sonequa Martin-Green and her real-life husband, Kenric Green portrayed Sarah’s parents. Executive producers Ciara and Russell Wilson helped bring this inspiring tale to life through their Why Not You Productions. The team focused on authenticity, using historical sites and involving locals as extras. It’s clear the cast felt connected—one remarked, “Regardless of what we’re faced with, we still carry that faith cuz it’s precious.”
Sarah’s Oil Official Trailer
Have you visited any of these filming spots, or are you excited to see how they look on screen? Let us know!
FAQs
Q1: What is the movie Sarah’s Oil about?
A1: Sarah’s Oil is a 2025 biographical drama based on Sarah Rector, an 11-year-old African American–Creek girl who became one of America’s youngest millionaires after oil was discovered on her land.
Q2: Where was Sarah’s Oil filmed?
A2: The movie was mainly filmed in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, with additional filming in Bristow and the Bartlesville area.
Q3: Who plays Sarah Rector in the movie?
Naya Desir-Johnson plays Sarah Rector in the movie, which also stars Zachary Levi, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Garret Dillahunt.
Q4: When will Sarah’s Oil be released?
Amazon MGM Studios plans to release the movie in U.S. theatres on November 7, 2025.
Q5: Is Sarah’s Oil based on a true story?
A5: Yes. The movie is based on Tonya Bolden’s book Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America, which tells the true story of Sarah’s life.
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