About Us

This is Cherokee Film Institute. Cherokee Nation’s first film and media education and workforce development center — built for future storytellers like you.

We provide students who want to work in the film industry the chance to develop their interest into a skillset through top-quality craft development, mentorship and hands-on training right here in Oklahoma. We aim for these skills to open doors in the film industry, creating opportunities that not only support individuals and their families but also inspire others to chase their dreams in the field. We’re eager to develop future filmmakers and create sustainable film and media career opportunities within Cherokee Nation – your story starts here.

ᎠᏯ ᎣᎦᎵᎪᏒᎢ

Our Team

Senior Director, Cherokee Film

Jen Loren

Jen Loren (Cherokee Nation) is an Emmy award-winning TV host, filmmaker and senior director of Cherokee Film. As senior director, she sets strategy and oversees the entirety of operations for Cherokee Film Productions, Cherokee Film Studios, Cherokee Film Commission and the Cherokee Film Institute. Selected as an inaugural Obama Leader by the Obama Foundation in July of 2023, Loren is globally recognized for her work, breaking new ground for Native American representation in film and media.

Program Manager

Brettlyn Bevenue

Brettlyn (Muscogee Nation) was born and raised in Indian Country. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in film and media studies from the University of Oklahoma. She has been with Cherokee Film since 2021, first as the outreach specialist for the Cherokee Film Commission and currently as the program manager for the Cherokee Film Institute.

Brettlyn is active in Tulsa’s filmmaking community as a member of the Oklahoma Motion Picture Alliance, a founding member of the Indian Territory Film Festival, as well as serving on the board of directors for Circle Cinema, Tulsa’s only nonprofit cinema.

Academic Specialist

Sarah Knaust

Sarah Knaust was born and raised in the Cherokee Nation. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English in 2021 and earned her master’s degree in literature in 2025. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctorate in Education, specializing in administration and leadership.

Prior to her time here, Sarah taught high school English. In this role, she was able to share her love of storytelling and language with her students. Inspired to apply this passion to a new field, she decided to apply for an internship with Cherokee Film and has since moved to the role of academic specialist. In her spare time, Sarah loves to read, play tennis and spend time with her family.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will applications to Cherokee Film Institute reopen?

Applications for aspiring filmmakers are projected to reopen in Fall 2025 for 2026 classes. Please check our website and follow our social channels for future updates.
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. Applications are currently closed. Please check back for updates.
Is Cherokee Film Institute only for Cherokees and Native American citizens?

No. Cherokee Film Institute is open to anyone who is interested in gaining the skills and training needed to enter the film and media industry, including non-Native Americans.
What courses are offered at Cherokee Film Institute?
Currently CFI offers four courses:

Intro to Industry: Students will gain a holistic overview of all career opportunities in the film & media industry, as well as the state of the industry. CFI stands apart from other programs because of its focus on Native American representation. The required Intro to Industry course offers content not found in other training programs, such as what to expect when filming with tribes and protocol for filming on tribal lands.

Intro to Production Office: Students will learn how to work in and run the production office of a feature film, where all administrative tasks are handled and how to work with all production departments.

Intro to Location Management: Students will learn how to scout potential film locations, best practices in communication and working with different production departments to ensure success, among other skills.

Intro to Camera Basics: Students will learn the basic information to become a beginning camera operator.
Once I’m accepted, how long do I have to complete my certification?

Once you’ve been accepted you have one year to complete CFI certification. After that time period is up, you must reapply to complete certification.

We feel that you will be best served by completing your CFI certification within a year and we make every effort for our classes to fit within your schedule to accomplish that. We understand that extenuating circumstances will occasionally occur. We will work with you to ensure you can complete your certification in a timely manner.
Do I have to be a college student to take CFI courses?

No. Cherokee Film Institute courses are available to anyone 18 years or older who is interested in becoming trained to work in the film industry.
Are Cherokee Film Institute courses offered virtually?

At CFI, we want our students to gain hands-on experience in film and media. Currently, Cherokee Film Institute courses are only offered in person at Cherokee Film Studios, Owasso Campus.
What happens if I don’t finish a course?

Students who do not finish a course will not earn credit for that course towards their certification. They will need to work with a CFI staff advisor to determine their next steps in the program.
How do I earn a CFI certification?

CFI certification is earned after completing and passing 120 contact hours of coursework through Cherokee Film Institute. All applicable courses are either taken through CFI or through CFI-approved affiliate programming.
How do I know if a course I’ve already taken elsewhere can count toward my CFI certification?

CFI certifies affiliate courses on a case-by-case basis. All curriculums must be submitted by the owner to be considered by CFI. For example, if you took a class at the University of Tulsa, only that institution is allowed to submit the curriculum to CFI for consideration.
How long does it take to complete the certification?

CFI certification is earned through completing and passing 120 contact hours of CFI or CFI-approved workforce training. Coursework may vary from student to student. Certificate earners are required to take CFI’s Intro to the Industry (40 hours), followed by 80 elective hours of approved coursework.
Why should I attend Cherokee Film Institute?

Cherokee Film Institute is a place to develop your passion and interest in the film and media industry into a skillset through top-quality craft development, mentorship and hands-on training – ultimately transforming students into skilled professionals ready to contribute to projects in Cherokee Nation and around the world. More than an educational entity, CFI is a place of empowerment that promotes Native representation by training the next generation of storytellers who will be responsible for ensuring that authenticity is present in the Native narratives, perspectives, cultures and characters shown to the world.
How do I know the courses at CFI are industry standard?

CFI courses are designed by subject matter experts and reviewed by industry professionals. This allows us to make sure that all coursework from CFI and approved programs align with the current trends and standards of the film and media industry.
Is a Cherokee Film Institute certification required to work on productions in the Cherokee Nation?

No, working on productions in Cherokee Nation is at the sole discretion of the production company. However, certification earners are accredited by Cherokee Film.
Where can I go to find cast and crew calls?

Cherokee Films Casting Calls and Oklahoma Film + Music Office Crew + Casting Calls are two great resources. Check these sites regularly as they both post crew calls for projects filming in Oklahoma. If you are a citizen of a federally recognized tribe, you can register for the Native American Crew Directory.
Can I work on a film while in school?

Yes! Just make sure the production schedule and your class schedule don’t conflict. When you are applying for film jobs, the more open your schedule can be, the better!
How do I network with film industry professionals?
Your CFI instructors are a great place to start! If you’re looking to meet and network with Oklahoma film industry professionals, here are some great ways to get started:

Attend Local Film Festivals & Events

DeadCenter Film Festival (Oklahoma City) – One of the biggest film festivals in the state, great for networking.

Twister Alley Film Festival (Woodward) – Another key festival featuring indie films.

Red Dirt Film Festival (Stillwater) – A great spot for connecting with creatives.

Circle Cinema Film Festival – This great event highlights films made by, in and for Oklahomans!

Bare Bones Film Festival – This festival is held both virtually and in person in Muskogee, Okla. each year.

Bentonville Film Festival – One of the fastest-growing festivals, this event focuses on promoting underrepresented voices of diverse storytellers.

Join Local Film Organizations & Groups

Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) – They provide networking events, job postings and production resources.

Oklahoma City and Tulsa Filmmakers Facebook Groups – Many indie filmmakers and crew members connect here.

Women in Film & Television Oklahoma (WIFTO) – If you’re a woman in the industry, this is a great place for networking.

Oklahoma Motion Picture Alliance (OKMPA) – This nonprofit organization champions Oklahoma’s growing entertainment industry by advocating for policies that attract production and promote sustainable industry growth within the state.

Tulsa Film Collective – This organization hosts panel discussions, workshops and networking events to support Tulsa’s film community.

Women in Film, OK – This networking group is for female filmmakers who live and work in the entertainment industry.

Engage on Social Media & Online Platforms

Follow Oklahoma-based filmmakers, studios and industry pages on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Use hashtags like #CherokeeFilm, #CherokeeFilmInstitute, #CherokeeFilmCommission, #OklahomaFilm, #OKCFilm and #TulsaFilm to find and connect with professionals.