OUR TEAM
Jennifer Loren
FILM OFFICE DIRECTOR
Jennifer is a multiple Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and the director of Cherokee Nation Film Office and Original Content. Evolving from a news anchor, investigative reporter and producer to a documentarian and host, she has been in the television and film industries since 2001. In 2014, she began working for her tribe at Cherokee Nation Businesses, where she co-created the highly acclaimed docuseries “Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People.”
In 2019, Jennifer helped the Cherokee Nation create and roll out the first certified Native American film commission to open in the United States. Just three years later, the Cherokee Nation Film Office accomplished yet another groundbreaking feat by offering the first-ever tribal film incentive program.
Jennifer continues to serve as director of the Cherokee Nation Film Office. Recently, she was named an Oklahoma Film ICON by deadCenter Film, as well as a Great Plains Distinguished Lecturer by Tulsa Press Club.
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.
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.