Awards
Cherokee Film Productions creates groundbreaking, award-winning and first-of-its-kind documentaries that include both feature-length and short-form formats. “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People” is our successful and highly entertaining flagship program that has won 33 Heartland Regional Emmy Awards as well as numerous nominations. Our docuseries has also won Best Independent Production at the Public Media Awards.
Heartland
regional
Emmy
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Film Festivals
Cherokee Film Productions’ short documentaries have been featured at and won numerous awards at film festivals around the world including deadCenter, Māoriland, Santa Fe and Montana International Film Festival to name a few.
osiyotv
“Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People” is a groundbreaking, award-winning and first-of-its kind documentary series that explores the rich traditions and modern stories of the Cherokee people. The edutainment show spotlights the culture, history, language and extraordinary citizens of the Cherokee Nation, the largest federally recognized tribe in the US with more than 470,000 citizens. By focusing the lens on our remarkable citizens, culture and history, we can present authentic, dynamic and engaging stories while avoiding the typical stereotypes often seen in Native American content. Come along for adventures as we present the exciting lives of Cherokee people, sharing stories from a distinguished veteran and Medal of Honor awardee to mothers working hard to preserve the language. They are Cherokee stories, told by Cherokee people.
Based in our state-of-the-art virtual production studio at the Cherokee Film Owasso facilities, Cherokee Film XR leverages game engine technology to develop new methods for creating and experiencing Cherokee stories. Whether your needs include in-camera VFX, asset development, motion and performance capture, animation or interactive content, our team is here to serve.
Operating from within the Cherokee Film Studios, Owasso facilities, the Collaborative Content team specializes in creating original, timely and accessible content for Cherokee citizens around the world. The team delivers web, broadcast, social media and corporate content meeting the unique needs of clients within Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses.
COMING SOON
Media Contact
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.
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