Cherokee Nation announces new $1M film incentive in Oklahoma
TULSA — The Cherokee Nation Film Office has unveiled plans for a new incentive program offering up to $1 million in annual funding for productions filmed within the Cherokee Nation in northeastern Oklahoma.
The 7,000 square-mile Cherokee Nation spans all or parts of 14 Oklahoma counties: Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Ottawa, Rogers, Sequoyah, Tulsa, Wagoner, and Washington.
The specialized film incentive is devised to generate economic development and jobs in the Cherokee Nation as well as to help Oklahoma’s burgeoning film industry continue to grow, the tribe announced Tuesday in a virtual press conference.
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Plus, the new incentive will provide additional funding for employing Native American citizens and using Native-owned businesses.
“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,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said a statement.
It is billed as the first tribal film incentive program in the United States.
The tribal film office will begin accepting applications for the tribe’s film incentive on March 1. The base incentive offers a cash rebate for qualified production expenses. Prequalified productions filming anywhere in Cherokee Nation are eligible for the rebate.
The tribe's plans for a new film incentive follow Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt inking last year the "Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021," legislation that created a new, increased state film rebate program of $30 million per fiscal year for 10 years.
The Cherokee Nation Film Incentive will be available individually or in conjunction with the state of Oklahoma’s incentive program, but each requires a separate application process, according to a news release.
“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,” said Jennifer Loren, director of Cherokee Nation Film Office and Original Content, in a statement.
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The newly announced incentive reflects the Cherokee Nation's growing investment in the film and TV industry.
Launched in 2019, the Cherokee Nation Film Office is billed as the first certified Native American film office in the country. Its mission is to boost the presence of Native Americans in every level of the film and television industries as well as create opportunities for economic development and jobs in the Cherokee Nation.
The tribal film office keeps directories of Native American crew members; talent such as actors, extras and voiceover performers; historical and cultural consultants; and Cherokee Nation-based industry support services. It also sponsored the inaugural Best Indigenous Short Film Award at Oklahoma City's 2021 deadCenter Film Festival and provides scholarships to Native Americans looking to train for film careers.
The Cherokee Nation recently launched its COVID Response Virtual Soundstage, a 27,000-square-foot facility situated on more than four acres in Owasso. The Cherokee Nation Extended Reality Studio, or XR Studio, features an LED wall and ceiling structure, providing providing industry-leading capabilities using Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality and Virtual Reality elements.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Cherokee Nation plans $1M incentive program for films made in Oklahoma
