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Category: Press Releases

Cherokee Nation celebrates expansion of Cherokee Film Studios

Cherokee Nation celebrates expansion of Cherokee Film Studios

Cherokee Nation and its businesses are celebrating the expansion of Cherokee Film Studios in Owasso. The tribe recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the addition of a second soundstage and more to its Owasso campus. The Cherokee Film Studios, Owasso Campus is the first of its kind in Oklahoma and Indian Country, including a state-of-the-art xR, or extended reality, virtual production LED volume studio crafted with industry-leading software and hardware technologies.

Cherokee Nation launches Cherokee Film Institute

Under the Cherokee Film Institute, the tribe and its businesses are investing in a long-term strategy to create educational and career opportunities aimed at removing barriers for Native Americans to enter the film and media industry while creating a sustainable workforce in and around its tribal reservation. The institute’s first courses are set to begin in January 2025.

OsiyoTV earns a record seven Emmy Awards

The Heartland Regional Emmy Awards recognized Cherokee Film’s “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People” with seven awards during the annual award gala on Saturday, July 20. The tribe’s cultural television series, and the short documentaries within it, continue to be honored with numerous regional, national and international accolades for its innovative approach toward narrative sovereignty.

Media Contact

Whitney Dittman

Whitney.Dittman@cnbglobal.com

918.729.4495

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Michael Musante

Film & TV Finance and Development Executive

Michael is the executive in charge of film and TV finance and development at Cherokee Film. Prior to that, he was vice president of film production and acquisitions at American Zoetrope for more than seven years and a co-founder, along with Roman Coppola, of The Decentralized Pictures Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting independent filmmaking and filmmakers from underserved and underrepresented communities. He continues to serve on its board. He is an attorney, admitted to practice in New York and North Carolina, and received his Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 2001. He practiced law for 10 years before becoming a full-time creative film producer. He has worked closely with such accomplished filmmakers as Roman Coppola, Sofia Coppola, Gia Coppola, Ted Kotcheff, Martha Coolidge, Fred Roos and Richard Chew before and during his time at American Zoetrope. During his tenure at American Zoetrope, he oversaw the development and production of several feature films: Gia Coppola’s “Mainstream,” starring Andrew Garfield, Maya Hawke, Nat Wolff and Jason Schwartzman; “Fairyland,” starring Emilia Jones and Scoot McNairy; as well as the production of “The Outsiders” musical, which debuted on Broadway at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre on April 11, 2024.

Todd Roberts

Soundstage Manager

Todd Roberts serves Cherokee Film as soundstage manager. He has more than 35 years of experience as a photographer and filmmaker. He is multi-passionate in skills and subject matter. He’s created more than 400 episodes of documentary-style television shows (“Doomsday Preppers,” “Man vs. Food Nation,” “Safari Hunter’s Journal,” “House Hunters International” and more) produced in 22 countries and airing nationally. Todd’s commercial films have served his clients well (American Express, Audi, Freightliner Trucks, Volkswagen, United Way, Walmart and many more). Todd’s productions have received numerous accolades (Addy Awards, Communicator Awards, Flame Awards, ITVA Awards, Summit Awards, Telly Awards, as well as awards from film festivals). While his skills and interests are broad, Todd’s overarching theme is the art of storytelling.

Maggie Cunningham

Pawnee Nation

Film Commissioner

Maggie Cunningham (Pawnee Nation) is a Regional Emmy-winning producer and the Cherokee Film Commissioner. Before joining the OsiyoTV team, Maggie worked in the museum and cultural heritage field. Her previous roles included positions as an archivist and tribal NAGPRA coordinator. She also spent time as a project manager for several Native-owned consultation and media production firms. She saw firsthand the impact an Indigenous narrative can have on a community during her time researching at Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum of Aotearoa (New Zealand). She continued to cultivate this focus in her years of cultural heritage work and storytelling. Her experience working within Native communities here in Oklahoma has only solidified her drive to tell authentic Native-led stories with the power and impact of film. Maggie holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in studio art and Native American studies. She earned her Master of Arts from New York University. Maggie resides in Tulsa with her family.

Hannah Roark

Cherokee Nation

Film & TV Development Specialist

Hannah Roark holds a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting from Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts and graduated with highest distinction from the University of Kansas, where she earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in English. She joined the Cherokee Film team in July 2022. Her prior film production experience includes work as an office production assistant, director’s assistant, production coordinator and associate producer. When she’s not at work, Hannah is writing screenplays, TV pilots, or collaborating in writers’ groups. She believes that every good story can be a great one.