Written by Joe Jackson on Jan 26, 2022. Posted in Incentive News

Cherokee Nation Film Office unveils USA’s first incentive initiative for tribal filmmaking

The Cherokee Nation Film Office (CNFO) will soon become the first tribal film office in the USA to offer a film incentive programme. The Cherokee Nation Film Incentive is set to provide up to USD1 million for productions filmed within the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county reserve. The incentive also offers increased funding if project employ Native American citizens and utilise Native-owned businesses. CNFO begins accepting applications for the new scheme on March 1 2022.

“Since establishing our film office, we’ve worked diligently alongside our state and local partners to help grow the film and television industries in Oklahoma,” explains Chuck Hoskin Jr, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief. “There are substantial benefits in launching this powerful economic tool within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. In addition to expanding career opportunities for Indigenous filmmakers, producers, directors, actors and behind-the-scenes crew members, this new incentive program reinforces Cherokee Nation’s commitment to creating quality jobs and supporting small, family-owned businesses within our tribal communities.”

“In pursuit of our long-time mission of growing the tribe’s economy, CNB continues to invest in the success of Cherokee citizens through new and diverse opportunities across the globe,” says Chuck Garrett, CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses. “The Cherokee Nation Film Incentive is an excellent means of expanding upon those goals by helping grow an entire industry specifically within the Cherokee Nation.”

While Cherokee Nation Film Incentive will be made available individually or in conjunction with the state of Oklahoma’s incentive program. each requires a separate application process. The Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021 (administered by the Oklahoma Film and Music Office) also offers productions a cash rebate based on specific qualifying factors.

“Oklahoma’s television, film and production industries continue to grow at an exceptional pace. We are pleased to serve a role in helping support economic growth while furthering our mission to promote diversity, inclusion and accurate Native American representation at every level of these industries,” elaborates Jennifer Loren, director of Cherokee Nation Film Office and Original Content. “Encouraging productions to film within Cherokee Nation’s many vast and beautiful locations, as well as to hire Indigenous people and utilize Native-owned businesses, offers an immense amount of opportunity for tribal citizens, families and businesses to benefit from the rapid growth of these industries within our state.”

Launching in 2019, CNFO became the first certified Native American film commission to open in the United States. Alongside the newly-launched film incentive programme, CNFO maintains all-inclusive talent, crew and consulting online directories featuring Native American actors, extras, voice actors, crew, cultural experts and other industry resources. Additional details regarding the Cherokee Nation Film Incentive will be published online soon.

Images: Cherokee Nation Film Office and Oklahoma Film and Music Office