Cherokee Nation’s groundbreaking film education initiative
A new era for Native American storytelling
The Cherokee Nation has announced an exciting new venture: the Cherokee Film Institute (CFI). This initiative, launched through their filmmaking arm, Cherokee Film, aims to educate aspiring filmmakers in below-the-line production. The 120-hour program is designed to bolster the entertainment workforce within the Cherokee Nation and across Oklahoma. While the primary goal is to help Native Americans pursue careers in entertainment, the program is open to anyone over 18.
“We continue to illustrate that Native stories are best told by those with authentic perspectives. Empowering a talented Native workforce is essential to ensuring Native Americans are seen, heard, and respected within this growing industry,” said Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation Principal. “This is more than a place of learning; it is a place of empowerment and a solution to a problem. Native misrepresentation stops here.”
The journey from journalism to filmmaking
Jennifer Loren, the senior director of Cherokee Film, has an intriguing background. Transitioning from a career as an investigative journalist and news anchor, she found her calling in filmmaking. The Cherokee Nation approached her to help tell their stories, leading to the creation of the docuseries “Osiyo: Voices of the Cherokee People,” which she still produces and hosts. This opportunity paved the way for the establishment of the Cherokee Nation Film Office at Sundance in 2018.
“We wanted to help provide infrastructure, support, and jobs in the film industry because it is a great vehicle for telling our stories, not only Cherokee stories but stories from this region,” Loren explained.
The evolution of Cherokee Film
The demand for Native American stories continued to grow, prompting a rebranding to Cherokee Film. The organization now comprises four branches:
- Cherokee Film Productions: Producing original content.
- Cherokee Film Commission: Managing rebate programs and directories.
- Cherokee Film Studios: Operating sound stages.
- Cherokee Film Institute: Focusing on workforce development.
CFI is the crucial component needed to build a robust film industry, providing a safe space for Native Americans to learn and enter the industry.
Addressing the need for Native American professionals
The idea for CFI began with a phone call from a major studio seeking a Native American showrunner. The scarcity of experienced Native professionals highlighted the need for training programs. CFI aims to fill this gap by offering a starting point for individuals to learn, gain experience, and progress in their careers.
“We needed to find professionals, and productions coming to the Cherokee Nation also needed professionals. But the bottom line is we need more Native Americans working at every level of this industry,” Loren emphasized.
Funding and partnerships
CFI is fully funded by the Cherokee Nation and its business arm, Cherokee Nation Businesses. However, the institute is also seeking external partnerships with studios and other entities to provide expertise, professionals, and equipment.
Designing the curriculum
CFI collaborated with a consulting group that developed the Georgia Film Academy to design the curriculum. They adapted best practices from the Georgia model to fit the needs of the Cherokee Film Institute. The initial focus is on below-the-line production, with plans to expand into above-the-line roles such as producers, writers, and directors.
“We looked at where the need was across all of the past projects that filmed in our area, specifically in Cherokee Nation, and talked to those line producers. We took all of that data and came up with our first five curriculum areas,” Loren explained.
Looking ahead: The first batch of graduates
Classes are set to begin in January 2025. Loren hopes that graduates will build relationships through the Institute and the internship program, finding work and becoming regular parts of film sets in Oklahoma or elsewhere. The goal is for graduates to take their knowledge and teach it to others, fostering a respectful and inclusive film industry.
Expanding Cherokee Film’s horizons
With the four branches of Cherokee Film now complete, the organization is looking to the future. They are working on animations, dubbing content in the Cherokee language, and feature-length documentaries. The most exciting development is the plan to finance and develop their own film and television projects.
“Hopefully, once we really get moving with all these pieces, at our sound stages you’ll have movies being made with native content, native cast, and native crew using our rebates that will find major distribution. And we can say, ‘It was filmed at Cherokee Film Studios using interns from Cherokee Film Institute and cast and crew from Cherokee Film Commission’s directories.’ That’s the dream,” Loren concluded.
The Cherokee Film Institute represents a significant step forward in empowering Native American voices in the film industry. By providing education, resources, and opportunities, CFI is poised to make a lasting impact on the entertainment landscape.
For more information on the Cherokee Film Institute, visit their official page.