Amazon Sponsors Cherokee Film Institute’s Inaugural Class With Full Scholarships

As a seasoned cinephile with roots deeply embedded in the heart of Oklahoma and a profound appreciation for the untold stories of indigenous communities, this recent partnership between Amazon and the Cherokee Film Institute strikes me as a beacon of hope and progress.


The Cherokee Film Institute has established a collaboration with Amazon, offering complete scholarship packages for tuition to its initial group of 25 students.

On Tuesday, the agreement between the prominent worldwide e-commerce company and the freshly created film institute was disclosed during a press conference that included representatives from the Cherokee Nation and Amazon, as well as Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell. The event took place in Owasso, Oklahoma. Back in September, the Cherokee Film Institute had announced its intention to start its inaugural class of students in January.

The Cherokee Film Institute is not just a place of education; it’s a platform for empowerment that aims to foster the skilled Native American workforce needed to share genuine Native viewpoints, characters, cultures, and more with global audiences, stated Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. We are grateful for outstanding partners like Amazon, who are collaborating with us in our mission to ensure Natives are visible, audible, respected, and truthfully portrayed in cinema and media by breaking down barriers for Cherokees and other Native individuals to access opportunities and long-term careers in this thriving sector.

The Cinematic Fellowship Initiative (CFI) is a unique film education program run by tribes, specifically designed for individuals who aspire to become skilled below-the-line production workers. This program aims to strengthen the entertainment workforce within the Cherokee Nation and across Oklahoma as a whole. Originally conceived to assist Native Americans in entering the entertainment industry, CFI is open to anyone aged 18 and above. The comprehensive 120-hour course focuses on teaching essential skills for careers in filmmaking.

According to the Cherokee Nation, the film school is a component of a broader “Cherokee Film system” which includes Cherokee Film Productions, Cherokee Film Studios, and Cherokee Film Commission. Together, these elements make up a strategic plan by the Cherokee Nation aimed at achieving a common goal: fostering innovative storytelling that reflects their cultural identity while stimulating economic growth within their reservation.

Amazon reached out to the Cherokee Film School for community outreach following their work in the region on the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios film “Sarah’s Oil,” directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, as a way to strengthen connections with the local community.

Brian Huseman, Amazon’s VP of Public Policy and Community Engagement, shared his eagerness to witness the future accomplishments of these participants in their film careers, as well as what lies ahead for Cherokee Film and the film industry in Oklahoma. As a vital collaborator on Amazon’s upcoming film ‘Sarah’s Oil,’ which marks our entry into Oklahoma production, we are thrilled to maintain this partnership through the Cherokee Film Institute.

Brettlyn Benevue, a program manager at CFI, encourages students to seize the opportunities arising from the expansion of creative work beyond cities like Los Angeles and New York.

Bevenue expressed excitement about working together with Amazon on the initial courses offered by Cherokee Film Institute,” he said. “He hopes that this partnership will mark the beginning of numerous connections established between CFI graduates and opportunities within the film industry.

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2024-10-23 02:16