Explore how the Cherokee Film Institute is transforming Native American representation in film by training and supporting Indigenous creators
What is the Cherokee Film Institute?
Developed by the Cherokee Film Office and the Cherokee Nation, the Cherokee Film Institute is an educational facility focused on highlighting Native American storytelling and teaching Indigenous people and local individuals interested in the film and media industry. As the industry moves towards a greater desire for diverse storytelling, this institute’s goal is to give Native Americans the opportunity to tell authentic stories and preserve their culture through film.
The opening of the Cherokee Film Institute is inspiring not only for the Cherokee Nation but also for the film community. Leaders hope this institute will be an empowering place to help cultivate passionate Indigenous filmmakers, leading to more diversity in the industry.
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The Connection with the Cherokee Film Office and the Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation is a tribal government with sovereignty over 7,200 square miles in Oklahoma and over 440,000 members nationwide. This makes them the largest Native American tribe federally recognized in the United States. The Cherokee Film Institute was created by the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Film Office in 2023, and classes began in January 2025. The Cherokee Nation is invested in preserving the stories of their nation and improving their economic status through the film and media industry.
The launch of the Cherokee Film Office in 2019supported this goal by being one of the first Native American film organizations and focusing its resources on three main initiatives:
- To increase representation of Native American storytellers and stories in mainstream film and media.
- Boost the economic development of the Cherokee Nation through film production on Cherokee land.
- Provide resources for locals interested in getting involved in the film industry.
To support these initiatives, the Film Office works to attract filmmakers to filming locations on Cherokee Nation land, offers financial film incentives, and ensures that authentic stories are being told. Their most recent initiative is the education of future filmmakers through the launch of the Cherokee Film Institute.
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Launching Towards an Inclusive Future
The Cherokee Film Institute was announced in August of 2023 as one of the four branches of the newly developed Cherokee Film Studios. The launch of this new company not only provided the opportunity for more Native American individuals to get involved in the global film industry but also provided over 30 new jobs for the Cherokee Nation.
The Film Institute was developed to try and combat the lack of Native American voices in the film industry. The launch event occurred at Cherokee Film Studios, Owasso Campus and covered many topics, including course information, preparing students with all the skills necessary to impact the film industry. The launch event also highlighted the Film Institute’s partnership with the Cherokee Nation and its greater film projects, along with other partnerships such as Amazon, which provided full tuition scholarships for the first class of students. To emphasize the connection and collaboration between this institution and the greater Cherokee Nation, speakers such as Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. discussed the importance of this institution and how it will bring more work opportunities for Native Americans in the film industry.
What is Being Offered at The Cherokee Film Institute?
The Cherokee Film Institute offers a variety of educational opportunities for its students, including film courses that will prepare them for a career in the film industry, workshops, and mentor opportunities. The classes include:
- Industry Education: This class introduces students to the ins and outs of the industry, different film career paths, and what to expect from film and media.
- Camera Skills: This course teaches students basic camera skills to prepare them for entry-level roles in the film industry.
- Location Scouting: A course that will teach students how to find locations to shoot and how to work with landowners and the production team.
- Production: Students will learn how to work in film and media productions, including communication and office management skills and other administrative tasks.
Along with educational classes, the Institute provides workshops—short-term learning opportunities that give students an intensive knowledge of specific aspects of film making, such as script writing and acting, along with many other experiences. Mentorship opportunities are also available through the institute, allowing students to be paired up with professionals in the field to get real-world experience and expertise on topics they are learning about.
The Cherokee Film Institute has many opportunities for filmmakers of all calibers. Their main goal is to develop the talent of individuals passionate about filmmaking and telling authentic Native American stories, regardless of experience level.
Changing the Script: Creating More Opportunities for Native American Representation
The film industry is currently lacking Indigenous stories and storytellers, as Native American accounts are not often told. When they are, it is frequently by white filmmakers. Currently, Native American filmmakers only make up 1% of the industry, which is leading to the misrepresentation and stereotyping of this group of people.
This is why initiatives like the Cherokee Film Institute are so important. They will increase the number of Indigenous voices and filmmakers present in the film industry. The hope is that this will lead to more Native American stories being told authentically. This goal is being achieved by supporting the education of Native American filmmakers, opening the platform for more genuine narratives, and preserving the culture and history of the Cherokee Nation through film.
The Cherokee Film Institute is currently one of the only Native American Film institutions. Still, hopefully, with their launch and success, there will be a ripple effect of more Native American representation in film nationwide. This type of country wide representation is essential to rewriting misrepresented histories, which has occurred over decades of filmmaking dominated by white voices. Recognition of the younger generation is also vital for people of all cultures and backgrounds to see themselves in the film industry and have role models to look up to.
If you are interested in supporting Indigenous storytelling and filmmaking, consider supporting other initiatives similar to the Cherokee Film Institute, such as the If Not Us Then Who’s Emerging Filmmakers Program.
Cherokee Nation’s Unique Filming Locations
The Cherokee Nation is home to many exceptional filming locations, leading to a growing film industry in Oklahoma. These locations are great for filmmakers seeking unmatched and culturally rich shooting locations. The area is perfect for filming, and the Cherokee Nation offers benefits such as financial incentives, cultural expertise, and logistical support. Here are some incredible filming regions available throughout the Cherokee Nation to consider for your next production:
- Cherokee Heritage Center: This isa culturally significant site within the Nation and is an excellent filming location that showcases a replica of atraditional1700sCherokee village.
- Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees: For filmmakers seeking scenic views of beautiful homes dotting hillsides.
- Sequoyah’s Cabin: This is a historic cabin once home to Sequoyah, a scholar who created the alphabet for the Cherokee Nation, set in a beautiful and culturally significant area.
Filmmaker scan contact the Cherokee Film Office to inquire about filming on the Nation’s land and the possible benefits for films and crew.
Collaboration with the Cherokee Film Institute
If you’re interested in getting involved with the Cherokee Film Institute but unsure where to start, visit the Cherokee Film Institute website for more information. Their primary goal is to share authentic Native American representation, and they are open to collaborating with anyone who shares the same goal. All non-Native American filmmakers must approach this opportunity with respect and cultural awareness. There are many ways to get involved:
- The best way is to connect with one of the Institute’s many Cultural Advisors available for consultation to ensure that stories about the Cherokee Nation, their history, and culture are told respectfully and accurately.
- Filming on Cherokee Nation land is another great way to get involved and provide support. However, filmmakers must ensure they follow the correct process and obtain the proper permits for filming on the land. They also must communicate with the Cherokee Film Office to ensure the project aligns with the Cherokee Nations’ beliefs and goals.
- The final way anyone, native or non-native, can be involved with the Cherokee Film Projects is to take educational classes and workshops through the Cherokee Film Institute. These courses can provide filmmakers with more education on Cherokee culture and history so that they can create accurate films.
For more information about how to get involved, visit the Cherokee Film Office Website.
Positive Impacts for Everyone Involved
The launch of the Cherokee Film Institute has the potential to significantly impact not only the people of the Cherokee Nation but also Native American representation countrywide. The Institute’s goal of preparing Native American individuals for a career and the Cherokee Nation’s continued perseverance towards more accurate and diverse representation in the film industry leaves us hopeful for a bright future and amore inclusive film industry.
If you want to learn more or get involved, please visit the Cherokee Film Institute and the Cherokee Film Office for more information and updates on their progress.
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