OUR TEAM
Jennifer Loren
FILM OFFICE DIRECTOR
Jennifer Loren is a multiple Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and the director of Cherokee Nation Film Office and Original Content. In 2014, Jennifer began working for her tribe, where she co-created and hosts the highly acclaimed docuseries “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People,” now in production on Season 8.
In 2019, Jennifer helped the Cherokee Nation create and roll out the first certified Native American film commission to open in the United States, the Cherokee Nation Film Office. In 2020, Jennifer oversaw the buildout of a virtual production soundstage in the Cherokee Nation and in 2021 the CNFO accomplished yet another groundbreaking feat by offering the first-ever tribal film incentive program.
Jennifer continues to serve as director of the CNFO & Original Content. Recently, she was named an Oklahoma Film ICON by deadCenter Film, as well as Woman of the Year by Tulsa YWCA and the Tulsa Mayor’s Office, as well as a Great Plains Distinguished Lecturer by Tulsa Press Club.
In 2022, Jennifer began expanding original content for Cherokee Nation, producing feature-length documentaries and introducing a development branch to bring more Cherokee stories to mainstream media.
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 economic opportunities and jobs in the Cherokee Nation – a 14-county reservation area in northeast Oklahoma. CNFO also created and maintains unique, all-inclusive talent, crew and consulting online directories featuring Native American actors, extras, voice actors, crew, cultural experts and other industry resources.
Tava Maloy Sofsky
Director of the Cherokee Film Commission
Tava Maloy Sofsky serves as director and film commissioner for the Cherokee Nation Film Office. Sofsky left her post as director of the Oklahoma Film + Music Office in 2022 to join CNFO, which is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During her tenure serving the state for more than eight years, Sofsky oversaw Oklahoma’s $30 million annual film incentive program and helped expand the state’s top-rate talent, crew base, and infrastructure to include four Oklahoma Certified Sound Stages and more than 25 Film-Friendly Certified Communities statewide. Under her leadership, OF+MO was named an Oklahoma Film ICON by deadCenter Film, and Sofsky’s team was honored to receive the award for Outstanding Film Commission at the 2022 Location Managers Guild International Awards. Sofsky brings more than 23 years of industry-leading experience to her new role supporting the mission and strategic growth of CNFO and oversees the film incentive and educational and mentor programs, among other initiatives in the tribal film office. Sofsky, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and an Oklahoma native, began her film career in Los Angeles after earning a bachelor’s degree in film and media studies from the University of Oklahoma. She has worked on major motion pictures, independent features, and several national commercials, establishing an impressive network of filmmakers and talent, including Doug Claybourne, Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, Anthony Hopkins, John Travolta, Jennifer Lopez, and many studio executives such as Jay Roewe (HBO), Mary Ann Hughes (Disney) and Michael Walbrecht (Warner Bros.).
Preston Smith
DIGITAL MEDIA & DATABASES SPECIALIST
Preston is a member of the Cherokee Nation and was born and raised in Oklahoma. Growing up he had a fascination with film and television and always annoyed family and friends by stating the director, date, and cast of movies they watched. He also spent time learning about Cherokee traditions from his grandparents and other traditionalists met through dances and other community events in NE Oklahoma. After earning his BFA in Graphic Design, Preston decided to try to do what he really wanted to do; be in the film industry. After working on commercials and occasionally working on sets for bigger productions, he joined the Cherokee Nation Film Office at the beginning of 2020. His job is to connect productions with the right locations, crew, and talent they need. Introducing and advancing Native Americans in the film industry is another passion Preston has that perfectly aligns with CNFO. Preston continues to make films in his spare time with the aim to include Native cast and stories that fight stereotypes and normalize Natives in film and television.
Brettlyn Bevenue
OUTREACH SPECIALIST
Brettlyn is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, born and raised in Indian Territory. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Media Studies from the University of Oklahoma, where she was inspired by the excitement and drive that her professors and peers had for growing the film industry in Oklahoma. In 2021 she joined the Cherokee Nation Film Office as the outreach specialist, and fulfilled her dream of connecting her passion for film and television with her tribal heritage. Brettlyn is dedicated to fulfilling CNFO’s mission of increasing the presence of Natives in film and television by promoting the local crew and talent that Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation have to offer, as well as connecting aspiring filmmakers to the education and resources they need to become Oklahoma’s next generation of film industry professionals.
