WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation TV & Film (NNTVF) and the Utah Film Commission (UFC) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formalizes a collaborative partnership to strengthen the film industry as a driver of economic development while advancing authentic representation of Indigenous peoples on screen.
The MOU was signed by Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, affirming the Nation’s commitment to creative industries as a pathway for jobs, investment, and cultural preservation. The agreement is represented administratively by Edsel Pete, Program Manager I of NNTVF, and by Virginia Pearce, Director of the UFC, which operates under the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
“This partnership reflects our belief that film is not only art, but business,” said President Nygren. “By investing in film and media, we create jobs, support local businesses, and ensure our stories, told by Indigenous voices, are shared with authenticity and respect.”
This partnership recognizes film and television production as a powerful economic engine by creating jobs, supporting local businesses, expanding workforce skills, and generating long-term benefits through film tourism. By working together, NNTVF and the UFC aim to attract local, national, and international productions that invest directly in Navajo Nation and Utah communities, while building sustainable career pathways for local crew members, artists, and creative professionals.
Equally important, the MOU underscores a shared commitment to improving the representation of Indigenous peoples in film and media. The agreement supports Navajo-led storytelling, the revitalization and use of the Navajo language in motion pictures, and collaboration with Indigenous filmmakers to ensure stories are told with cultural accuracy, respect, and creative freedom. Through training programs, workshops, and professional exchanges, the partnership seeks to empower Indigenous voices both behind and in front of the camera.
Originally established in the early 1990s as the Navajo Office of Broadcast Services, NNTVF has evolved into a key resource for film production on the Navajo Nation, providing production assistance, cultivating national and international industry relationships, and supporting the growth of Navajo filmmakers. The Utah Film Commission, founded in 1974, has played a pivotal role in positioning Utah as a premier filming destination, leveraging the state’s diverse landscapes, skilled workforce, and production-ready infrastructure.
Under the MOU, the parties agree to:
- Collaborate to promote their regions as film production and cultural tourism destinations.
- Encourage co-productions and professional exchanges between Navajo Nation and Utah-based talent.
- Support film productions through location scouting assistance, introductions to local vendors and production partners, and guidance on incentive application processes.
- Develop mutually beneficial training and workforce initiatives that create employment opportunities at the local, state, national, and international levels.
- Share resources to host joint events, screenings, press conferences, and promotional efforts highlighting Navajo and Utah cinema.
The agreement reflects a voluntary partnership based on cooperation, shared values, and mutual respect. Together, NNTVF and the Utah Film Commission aim to grow the film economy while elevating Indigenous stories, cultures, and perspectives for audiences around the world.
