Brit Hensel is an Oklahoma-based director and award-winning filmmaker. A citizen of Cherokee Nation, her work largely explores environment, language, and her peoples’ connection to land in Oklahoma (former Indian Territory) and in her ancestral homelands of North Carolina (Qualla Boundary). Brit also works as a Cultural Specialist for the Cherokee Nation.
In 2022, her short film, ᎤᏕᏲᏅ (What They’ve Been Taught) was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival and a nominee for Best Short Documentary at the 38th IDA Documentary Awards in Los Angeles, CA. ᎤᏕᏲᏅ (What They’ve Been Taught) is also a part of the Reciprocity Project by Nia Tero at Upstander Project.
Brit’s films have been screened both nationally and abroad, including Sundance, imagineNATIVE, Hot Docs and Full Frame. Previously, Brit directed the documentary films, Zibi Yajdan (2019), Native and American (2017) and worked on all seasons of the critically acclaimed FX series, Reservation Dogs as the 2nd AC. She was awarded the 2022 Tulsa Artist Fellowship and the 4th World Indigenous Fellowship.
Brit continues to use her love for storytelling to help amplify the voices and values of her community. Most importantly, she hopes her work makes Cherokee people proud.
Contact: brithenselfilm@gmail.com