Cherokee Film

What Cherokee Film does

Cherokee Film is a tribally-owned media production enterprise operating as a division of Cherokee Nation Businesses, the holding company of the Cherokee Nation, the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States with 480,000 citizens. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the organization comprises four operating divisions: Cherokee Film Studios (production facilities), Cherokee Film Commission (location services and incentives), Cherokee Film Productions (original content), and Cherokee Film Institute (workforce development). It employs 51-100 staff and operates from facilities in Owasso, Tulsa, Tahlequah, and a 200+ acre backlot in Welling, Oklahoma.

Cherokee Film Studios anchors the infrastructure with a 27,000-square-foot facility featuring a 9,000-square-foot XR virtual production LED volume soundstage (the first of its kind in tribal country), motion and performance capture technology, and a second 10,000-square-foot soundstage added via a 2023 expansion. Cherokee Film Commission administers the first tribal film incentive program in the United States, an annual $1 million pool stackable with the Oklahoma state incentive. Cherokee Film Productions operates OsiyoTV, an Emmy-award-winning documentary series with 29 Heartland Regional Emmys and a Public Media Award, distributed through PBS, FNX (25 national markets), RSU-TV, Apple TV, YouTube, and additional streaming platforms. Cherokee Film Institute delivers film-industry workforce training.

The business model blends facility rental (studio bookings), content licensing and production services (OsiyoTV and original documentaries), film incentive administration, and education revenue. GTM motion is enterprise field sales to film and TV producers, event-driven engagement through festivals such as deadCenter, SeriesFest, and imagineNATIVE, and community-led workforce development. Named customers include Amazon MGM Studios, Apple Original Films/Confluential Films, Great American Media, and Rebellium Films. As a tribal economic development initiative, Cherokee Film is not venture-backed; 100% of profits support Cherokee Nation citizens through healthcare, education, and job creation.

Name

Cherokee Film

Legal name

Cherokee Nation Businesses

Website

https://cherokee.film

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cherokee Film is a tribally-owned media production enterprise under Cherokee Nation Businesses, operating studios, a film commission, original productions, and a workforce institute from facilities in Owasso, Tulsa, and Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It serves Hollywood and Native filmmakers through XR virtual production facilities, the first tribal film incentive, and Emmy-winning OsiyoTV content.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film and Media Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts & Culture Documentaries (MPADADAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Scripted Feature Film Production (Live-Action) (MPADABAA)

Keywords

• Film production studios
• Tribal film commission
• Virtual production soundstage
• Documentary series production
• Film workforce education

Headquarters

HQ city

Tulsa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Studio Rental and Facilities: Cherokee Film Studios offers rental space for productions including virtual production soundstage, production offices, flex spaces, hair and makeup facilities, audio suites, and control rooms.
2. Content Production: Cherokee Film Productions creates content including docuseries (OsiyoTV), feature-length documentaries, and narratives incorporating the Cherokee language. Revenue generated through licensing, distribution, and production services.
3. Film Incentive Program: Cherokee Nation offers an annual $1 million film incentive for productions filmed within the tribe's boundaries. This drives economic activity and attracts productions to the region.
4. Education and Workforce Development: Cherokee Film Institute provides film and media education and training, developing future storytellers and creating sustainable opportunities within Cherokee Nation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cherokee Film is a tribal media production organization operating four core divisions: Cherokee Film Studios (27,000-square-foot production facility in Owasso featuring the first tribal XR LED volume soundstage), Cherokee Film Commission (the first certified tribal film commission offering a $1 million annual film incentive and location services), Cherokee Film Productions (creator of the Emmy-award-winning OsiyoTV docuseries and feature documentaries), and Cherokee Film Institute (workforce development and film education center). The company serves as both a production services provider and content creator focused on Cherokee and Native American storytelling.

Product overview

Cherokee Film is a comprehensive film and media organization comprising four core divisions: Cherokee Film Studios (production facilities with xR LED volume technology), Cherokee Film Commission (location services and incentive programs), Cherokee Film Productions (original content creation), and Cherokee Film Institute (education and workforce development). The portfolio includes OsiyoTV docuseries, virtual XR production services, documentary productions, the Directors Elevation Program, and the Cherokee Film Incentive program. The organization operates from facilities in Owasso, Tahlequah, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, and manages a 200+ acre backlot near Tahlequah.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cherokee Film Commission: Film commission attracting productions to Cherokee Nation with location services, tribal incentives, and talent/crew directories
• Cherokee Film Productions
• Cherokee Film Institute
• Cherokee Film Studios
• OsiyoTV
• Film Ready Program

Products and services

• Cherokee Film Studios Production facility rental service offering a 27,000-square-foot complex with the first tribal XR LED volume soundstage, a practical soundstage, editing suites, pro-grade audio recording suites, hair and makeup rooms, production offices, and support spaces for film and television productions of all sizes.
• Cherokee Film Commission Film commission service attracting and supporting film and media productions filming within the Cherokee Nation 14-county reservation, providing location services, tribal incentive administration, talent and crew databases, cultural consultation, and production coordination.
• Cherokee Film Productions Original content creation and production service that develops and produces docuseries, feature-length documentaries, and narratives incorporating Cherokee language and culture, using Cherokee Film Studios' technology to advance storytelling traditions.
• Cherokee Film Institute Education and workforce development program providing film and media training for students and aspiring filmmakers, including skills development for screenwriting, set construction, sound editing, and other production roles.
• OsiyoTV ('Osiyo, Voices of the Cherokee People') Emmy-award winning documentary docuseries exploring and celebrating Cherokee culture, history, and language. Distributed nationally through PBS stations, FNX network, RSU-TV, Apple TV, YouTube, and other streaming platforms. Has won 29 Heartland Regional Emmy Awards.
• Directors Elevation Program Industry mentorship program powered by Cherokee Film and Amazon MGM Studios that matches emerging directors with established directors on Amazon MGM productions for observation, skill development, networking, and credibility-building in the film industry.
• Cherokee Film Incentive Program Annual $1 million tribal film incentive program for qualifying productions filming within the Cherokee Nation boundaries, the first tribal film incentive in the United States, stackable with Oklahoma state incentives and Tulsa regional support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Productions generated over $3.6M in spending within Cherokee Nation Reservation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• OETAminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 March 2026OETA and Cherokee Film hosted a documentary screening and panel in Tulsa, engaging the local community in cultural and educational activities.
• Ken Burns / PBScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 November 2025Cherokee Film Senior Director Jen Loren served as advisor on 'The American Revolution' documentary series to ensure Indigenous voices and histories were authentically represented. The six-part series explores the country's founding through various perspectives including Native American narratives.
• deadCenter FilmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2023Partnership to present at the 23rd Annual deadCenter Film Festival, Oklahoma's largest film festival. Cherokee Nation Film Office co-hosts Celebrating Indigenous Cinema reception and showcases films including 'The Origin of Strawberries' featuring motion capture animation from Cherokee Film Studios.
• Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 January 2019State-level film office partnership to leverage resources and talent, promote Oklahoma as a filmmaking destination, and support economic development in the state's film industry.
• Amazon MGM StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Directors Elevation Program, powered by Cherokee Film and Amazon MGM Studios, provides emerging directors the opportunity to match with established directors on Amazon MGM productions to observe, learn, develop directing skills, make connections, and increase credibility in the industry.
• Rebellium FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTulsa-based production company led by Talia Bella and Randy Wayne that benefited from Cherokee Film incentive program. Three productions ('Everything to Me,' 'Cottonmouth,' 'The Beldham') released fall 2025 through Apple TV and Prime Video.
• Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & CultureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional film office partnership to leverage resources and talent, coordinate site visits, and support productions filming in northeastern Oklahoma alongside Cherokee Film incentive.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Participant Media: Independent entertainment company producing documentary, narrative, and impact-driven content. Comparable to Cherokee Film Productions for mission-driven content creation, documentary production, and partnerships with major streamers/platforms.
• imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival: Toronto-based Indigenous film and media arts organization running the largest Indigenous film festival globally and supporting Indigenous screen content. Comparable to Cherokee Film in mission-driven Indigenous storytelling, content production, and industry advocacy.
• NantStudios: Virtual production studio featuring large-scale LED volume technology for in-camera visual effects, with facilities in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Directly comparable to Cherokee Film Studios' XR LED volume for next-generation virtual production capabilities and motion capture services.
• FilmLA: Not-for-profit film office serving greater Los Angeles that issues filming permits, coordinates location use, and supports productions. Comparable to Cherokee Film Commission in providing film-friendly coordination, location services, and production support for external productions.
• Trilith Studios: 27,000-acre studio community near Atlanta with soundstages, virtual production facilities (including a massive LED volume), and production services. Directly comparable to Cherokee Film Studios for soundstage rental, virtual production infrastructure, and integrated production services.
• Vision Maker Media: Public media organization that funds and supports Native American content creation and distribution. Comparable to Cherokee Film Productions for Indigenous content creation mission and to the cultural preservation focus of OsiyoTV.
• APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network): Canadian Indigenous broadcaster producing and distributing Indigenous-language and Indigenous-made content across North America. Comparable to Cherokee Film's OsiyoTV content distribution and Native-language preservation initiatives (Cherokee language dubbing).
• New Mexico Film Office: State-level film commission that operates a refundable tax credit incentive program and recruits productions to film in New Mexico. Directly comparable to Cherokee Film Commission in function — location services, incentive management, and production recruitment — though operating at state rather than tribal jurisdiction.
• Georgia Film Office: State film commission responsible for attracting productions to Georgia with one of the largest incentive programs in the U.S. Comparable to Cherokee Film Commission in core film commission services, incentive management, and production attraction, though at substantially larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• A24: Independent entertainment company producing and distributing film and television, including festival-premiering and culturally distinctive titles. Comparable to Cherokee Film Productions in independent film production and ability to attract talent to mission-aligned projects, though operating at a substantially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cherokeefilm
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAv4ToJD_5sHVn4vmxGW_SA
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100095731743550
• Instagraminstagram.com/cherokee.film

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cherokee Film