The Native American Media Alliance in collaboration with the Cherokee Nation Film Office announced on Tuesday the first recipients of a new fellowship aimed to help Native American writers get a leg up in the film industry.
Jennifer Loren, the director of the Cherokee Nation Film Office, said the reason for the Native American Writers Fellowship is simple.
"[It will help] increase the presence of Native Americans in the film and television industry while creating jobs and economic opportunity within the Cherokee Nation," Loren said.
The eight fellows picked are from tribal nations all over the country — including three from Oklahoma. In a weeklong virtual seminar, they will work on an existing script with creative executives from Bad Robot and Skydance, agents from Buchwald and Kaplan Stahler and showrunners from CBS and ABC.
The fellows will also receive help to pitch their ideas to industry professionals, and the Native American Media Alliance will offer career development and other writing opportunities.
