Courses
Courses Offered
From Intro to Industry to electives such as Intro to Camera Basics or Intro to Location Management, Cherokee Film Institute provides diverse course offerings with challenging curriculums taught by film and media industry professionals. Students are required to complete 120 hours for certification.
Required – 40 Hours
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.
Electives – 80 Hours
Intro to Production Office
Students will learn how a feature film production office operates, including the administrative tasks managed there and how the office coordinates 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 from curriculum created by a member of the American Society of Cinematographers.
2026 Course Schedule
In order to earn the CFI certification and be eligible to apply for an internship, participants must complete a minimum of 120 contact hours of coursework. This is equivalent to three CFI courses. All participants are required to take Intro to Industry first and then choose at least two additional courses to complete their certification.
Tentative course dates and times are listed below, and more courses will be added as scheduling is finalized. Be sure to check back for updates as new opportunities become available.
Courses will be held at either Cherokee Film Studios or at Tulsa Tech’s Owasso Campus.
Cherokee Film Studios
16990 E. 116th St. N.
Owasso, OK 74055
Tulsa Tech
10800 N. 137th E. Ave.
Owasso, OK 74055
Intro to Industry
June 30 – Aug. 8, 2026
Tuesdays & Thursdays
6 – 8:30 PM
Oct. 5 – Nov. 14, 2026
Monday & Wednesday
6 – 8:30 PM
Intro to Location Management
Oct. 6 – Dec. 3, 2026
Tuesdays & Thursdays
6 – 8:30 PM
Intro to Production Office
To be determined
Check back here or follow us on social for schedule updates.
Intro to Camera Basics
To be Determined
Check back here or follow us on social for schedule updates.
Intro to Industry: Tues. & Thurs.
- June 30th 6pm-8:30pm
- July 2nd 6pm-8:30pm
- July 7th 6pm-8:30pm
- July 9th 6pm-8:30pm
- July 14th 6pm-8:30pm
- July 16th 6pm-8:30pm
- July 21st 6pm-8:30pm
- July 23rd 6pm-8:30pm
- July 28th 6pm-8:30pm
- July 30th 6pm-8:30pm
- Aug. 4th 6pm-8:30pm
- Aug. 6th 6pm-8:30pm
- Aug. 8th 10am-5pm (Studio Day)
Intro to Industry: Mon. & Wed.
- Oct. 5th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 7th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 12th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 14th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 19th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 21st 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 26th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 28th 6pm-8:30pm
- Nov. 2nd 6pm-8:30pm
- Nov. 4th 6pm-8:30pm
- Nov. 9th 6pm-8:30pm
- Nov. 11th 6pm-8:30pm
- Nov. 14th 10am-5pm (Studio Day)
Intro to Locations Scouting: Tues. & Thurs.
- Oct. 6th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 8th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 13th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 15th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 20th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 22nd 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 27th 6pm-8:30pm
- Oct. 29th 6pm-8:30pm
- Nov. 3rd 6pm-8:30pm
- Nov. 5th 6pm-8:30pm
- Nov. 10th 6pm-8:30pm
- Nov. 12th 6pm-8:30pm
- Nov. 17th 6pm-8:30pm
- Nov. 19th 6pm-8:30pm
- Dec. 1st 6pm-8:30pm
- Dec. 3rd 6pm-8:30pm
Dates and times for Intro to Production Office, Intro to Location Scouting, and Intro to Camera are tentative. We will notify you of any changes through your Canvas account.
Collaboration Creates Opportunities
Industry and community collaboration advance our long-term strategy to remove barriers to training and career opportunities in film and media for Native Americans. In 2025, a collaboration between Cherokee Nation and Amazon provided full tuition waivers to Cherokee Film Institute’s inaugural class of trainees.
