Inaugural class of students will attend tribe’s film institute tuition-free

OWASSO, Okla. — A recently announced collaboration between Cherokee Nation and Amazon will provide full scholarships to Cherokee Film Institute’s inaugural class of students. Amazon’s financial contribution will mean the first 25 students accepted into the program can receive full certification completely tuition-free.

“Cherokee Film Institute is more than a place of learning; it is a place of empowerment that will help create the talented Native American workforce necessary for bringing authentic Native perspectives, characters, cultures and more to a worldwide audience,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “We are thankful for incredible allies, such as Amazon, for joining in our efforts to ensure Natives are seen, heard, respected and accurately represented in film and media by removing barriers for Cherokees and other Natives to pursue opportunities and sustainable careers in this flourishing industry.”

The film institute’s first courses are set to begin in January 2025. CFI launched in early September and immediately began accepting applications. The inaugural class of students have not yet been selected. 

“We can’t wait to see where these participants go in their film careers and to see what is next for Cherokee Film and film in Oklahoma,” said Brian Huseman, vice president of Public Policy and Community Engagement at Amazon. “Cherokee Film Studios was a key partner on Amazon’s upcoming film ‘Sarah’s Oil,’ our first Oklahoma-based production, and we are excited to continue that partnership through the Cherokee Film Institute.” 

Under CFI, Cherokee Nation and its businesses, as well as industry and community partners like Amazon, 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. All courses created by the Cherokee Film Institute are directly aligned with industry needs.

“We’re thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with Amazon for Cherokee Film Institute’s inaugural classes,” said Brettlyn Bevenue, program manager for CFI. “We hope this collaboration is the first of many bridges built to connect CFI certificate-earners to careers in the film industry.” 

The film institute is part of the Cherokee Film ecosystem, based in the Cherokee Nation Reservation in Oklahoma. Cherokee Film includes four distinct branches — Cherokee Film Productions, Cherokee Film Studios, Cherokee Film Commission and Cherokee Film Institute — all working toward a shared goal of innovating narrative sovereignty while creating economic development within the tribe’s reservation.