Amazon Sponsors Cherokee Film Institute’s Inaugural Class With Full Scholarships
Cherokee Film Institute has set up a partnership program with Amazon that will provide full-ride scholarships to the school’s inaugural class of 25 students.
The pact between the global ecommerce giant and the newly established film institute was unveiled Tuesday at a news conference that featured Cherokee Nation and Amazon officials. Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell also made an appearance at the event held in Owasso, Okla. In September, Cherokee Film Institute announced plans for its first class of students to begin in January.
More from Variety
“Cherokee Film Institute is more than a place of learning; it is a place of empowerment that will help create the talented Native American workforce necessary for bringing authentic Native perspectives, characters, cultures and more to a worldwide audience,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “We are thankful for incredible allies, such as Amazon, for joining in our efforts to ensure Natives are seen, heard, respected and accurately represented in film and media by removing barriers for Cherokees and other Natives to pursue opportunities and sustainable careers in this flourishing industry.”
CFI is the first tribally operated film education program designed to help aspiring filmmakers develop skills in below-the-line production in hopes of bolstering the entertainment workforce within the Cherokee Nation and across its home state of Oklahoma. Although the 120-hour curriculum was primarily created to help Native Americans pursue careers in entertainment, CFI is open to anyone over 18.
Per Cherokee Nation, the film school is part of a “Cherokee Film ecosystem” that also encompsses Cherokee Film Productions, Cherokee Film Studios and Cherokee Film Commission. Those four prongs have been designed by Cherokee Nation to pursue “a shared goal of innovating narrative sovereignty while creating economic development within the tribe’s reservation.”
Amazon approached Cherokee Film School as a community engagement effort after the company worked in the area on the upcoming Amazon MGM Studios movie “Sarah’s Oil,” from director Cyrus Nowrasteh.
“We can’t wait to see where these participants go in their film careers and to see what is next for Cherokee Film and film in Oklahoma,” said Brian Huseman, Amazon’s VP of Public Policy and Community Engagement. “Cherokee Film Studios was a key partner on Amazon’s upcoming film ‘Sarah’s Oil,’ our first Oklahoma-based production, and we are excited to continue that partnership through the Cherokee Film Institute.”
Brettlyn Benevue, program manager for CFI, wants to see students take advantage of the growth of production activity outside of Los Angeles and New York.
“We’re thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with Amazon for Cherokee Film Institute’s inaugural classes,” said Bevenue. “We hope this collaboration is the first of many bridges built to connect CFI certificate-earners to careers in the film industry.”
Best of Variety
The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Al Pacino to Lisa Marie Presley
From Taylor and Travis to Oasis: The Best Couples Costumes to Wear This Halloween
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.