Applications are currently closed. Click here to sign up for updates.

Bring your Future Into Focus

Your Story Starts Here

As a top film school in Oklahoma, we provide students who want to work in the film industry the chance to develop their interest into a skillset through top-quality education, craft development, mentorship, and hands-on training. Our film programs help you develop the skills needed for your first entry-level film job.

Our Impact

Partnerships Create Opportunities

Industry and community partnerships advance our long-term strategy to remove barriers to educational and career opportunities in film and media for Native Americans. A collaboration between Cherokee Nation and Amazon provides full tuition waivers to Cherokee Film Institute’s inaugural class.
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ᎠᏓᎦᎵᏍᏓᏗᏍᎩ
ᏕᎦᎵᎪᏒᎢ

Film Courses Offered

Cherokee Film Institute offers a variety of courses taught by leading film industry professionals. Click the link to find a list of courses that are currently being offered with additional courses in various areas of study to be added at a later date.
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ᎢᏳᏍᏗ ᏓᎾᏕᏲᎲᏍᎬᎢ

Applications Are Currently Closed

Let's Get Reel

ᎤᏟᏂᎩᏓ ᎧᏃᎮᏢᏍᎩ
ᎤᏟᏂᎩᏓ ᎧᏃᎮᏢᏍᎩ
ᏗᏕᏲᎲᏍᎩ
ᎠᏓᎦᎵᏍᏓᏗᏍᎩ

Interested in Becoming an Instructor?

Train the next generation of filmmakers! Cherokee Film Institute is looking for part-time film instructors to teach department-specific curricula created by our subject matter experts. If you’re interested in shaping the future of film, apply to be an instructor today!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who can apply to Cherokee Film Institute?

    Cherokee Film Institute courses are open to anyone over 18 who is interested in gaining the skills and training needed to enter the film and media industry.

  • Is Cherokee Film Institute only for Cherokees and Native American citizens?
  • What courses are offered at Cherokee Film Institute?
  • How and where do I apply?
  • Do I have to be a college student to take CFI courses?
  • Who is eligible for a tuition waiver?
  • What is the process to receive a tuition waiver?
  • Are tuition waivers awarded for each course, or for the entire program?
  • Are Cherokee Film Institute courses offered virtually?
  • What happens if I don’t finish a course?
  • How much does it cost to attend Cherokee Film Institute?
  • How do I know if a course I’ve already taken elsewhere can count toward my CFI certification?
  • How long does it take to complete the certification?
  • Why should I attend Cherokee Film Institute?
  • How do I know the courses at CFI are industry-standard?
  • Is a Cherokee Film Institute certification required to work on productions in the Cherokee Nation?
  • What if CFI courses don’t align with my schedule?