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CNFO Announces Inaugural Award For Best Indigenous Short Film And Cash Price At DeadCenter Film Festival In A New Partnership

OKLAHOMA CITY (FEBRUARY 1, 2021) – deadCenter Film, the state’s largest film festival, announced today a partnership with the Cherokee Nation Film Office to recognize Indigenous filmmakers with the Festival’s inaugural award for Best Indigenous Short Film. The award is bolstered by a $1,000 cash prize provided through the generosity of the Cherokee Nation and the winner will be announced during the 21st annual deadCenter Film Festival Award Ceremony on Sunday, June 13.

As part of an ongoing commitment to represent a diverse slate of storytelling across annual programming, deadCenter Film is not only thrilled for the opportunity to highlight Indigenous films at the festival, but to also heighten visibility of Indigenous filmmakers around the world. The new category joins 18 existing award categories announced throughout the festival, but stands out as the first category in over a decade with a cash prize, a direction deadCenter is trending for more of the juried awards.

“We’re excited to expand our competitive categories. It’s been an honor to recognize the hard work and talent of our Oklahoma Indigenous filmmakers over the years, and it just feels right to deepen our support and shine a spotlight on Indigenous work,” says Sara Thompson, deadCenter’s Director of Programming. “I can’t wait to see the films that come in, and am beyond thrilled to provide a cash prize as part of this award. It just feels very right and very deadCenter.”

“We are glad to see deadCenter recognize the importance of Indigenous film and filmmakers here in Oklahoma,” said Jennifer Loren, Director of Cherokee Nation Film Office and Original Content. “It is an honor and privilege for our film office to sponsor this award and provide a cash prize. We hope it helps to inspire those doing the important work of indigenous storytelling through film.”

Category eligibility: Films eligible for this category will be under 50 minutes and directed by an Indigenous artist(s). Films must also adhere to the eligibility criteria for other short film categories.

Film submissions for the 2021 deadCenter Film Festival will close on February 21. The 21st annual festival will be June 10-20 and virtual passes are now available.

For more information on the Festival and deadCenter Film, visit www.deadcenterfilm.org.

About Cherokee Nation Film Office

The mission of the Cherokee Nation Film Office is to increase the presence of Native Americans in every level of the film and television industries, while creating opportunities for economic development and jobs in the Cherokee Nation. With access to more than 66,000 acres throughout northeastern Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation Film Office is your connection to a diverse range of eco-scapes and the first-ever Native talent, crew and business/support services databases. Experience all the 66,000 acres of the Cherokee Nation has to offer and learn more at www.Cherokee.Film.

About deadCenter Film

 

deadCenter Film is an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit that provides free film classes to 3,000 students each fall, offers continuing education classes for working film professionals each quarter, and hosts Oklahoma’s largest film festival each June, attracting 35,000 to downtown Oklahoma City. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 20th annual deadCenter Film Festival was held entirely online, featuring extended festival dates, and offering more than 140 films, panels, classes, celebrity reunions, and filmmaker discussions. The 21st annual deadCenter Film Festival will be held June 10-20, 2021. To learn more about deadCenter Film and to support year-round programming, please visit deadcenterfilm.org.

About Cherokee Film

The mission of Cherokee Film is to reclaim Cherokee and Native narratives by increasing representation across film and media while creating an ecosystem that supports production and drives economic activity in the Cherokee Nation.

Cherokee Film is owned by Cherokee Nation Businesses, the board-governed holding company of the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. One-hundred percent of the company’s profits support future business investments and the well-being of the tribe’s citizens through health care, education and job creation, ensuring better lives for Cherokees today and tomorrow.

For more information, please visit Cherokee.film or follow Cherokee Film on Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.

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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.