Cherokee Nation and UCLA Launch Filmmaking Exchange

The partnership aims to expand Indigenous storytelling through student exchanges and film production funding.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Native American

Screen-print poster illustration of a film light reflector and director chair, evoking a collaborative cultural filmmaking partnership. — The Cherokee Nation and UCLA have partnered on a new filmmaking exchange to foster Indigenous storytelling and language preservation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe universities and Indigenous nations should collaborate more closely on cultural and media education?

The Cherokee Nation and the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television have established a new filmmaking exchange program. The initiative will facilitate student travel between Oklahoma and Los Angeles to focus on Indigenous storytelling and language preservation.

Why it matters

This program serves the Cherokee Nation mission of language revitalization while fostering creative leadership among students. It aims to integrate cultural and language expertise into professional screen portrayals.

The Cherokee Nation is committing $470,000 over the next four years to support the creation of original films in the Cherokee language. The program includes student cohorts traveling to UCLA and Cherokee Film studios in Owasso.

The players

Chuck Hoskin Jr.

As the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, he leads the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States.

Bryan Warner

He serves as the Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation and works on tribal governance and community development initiatives.

Celine Parreñas Shimizu

She is the Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, known for her focus on media representation and cultural studies.

The details

Cherokee filmmakers will work alongside UCLA faculty and production resources, while students from the university will study at Cherokee Film studios in Owasso. Cherokee language and cultural experts will provide guidance to ensure authentic representation on screen.

October 17, 2026: The filmmaking exchange agreement was signed in Los Angeles.
Next four years: The Cherokee Nation provides $470,000 for film production support.

Culture Shift

This initiative represents a significant move toward institutionalizing Indigenous perspectives within major academic film programs. By formalizing this partnership, the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's Indigenous Media program gains a direct pipeline to authentic cultural expertise.

Students and aspiring filmmakers may soon see new academic and professional opportunities emerging from this collaborative curriculum. The partnership highlights a practical shift in how production resources are allocated to support linguistic preservation projects.

The takeaway

This partnership demonstrates how academic institutions can bridge gaps in representation by partnering directly with sovereign nations. Supporting indigenous-led creative projects provides a scalable model for preserving endangered languages through modern media.