Loren Waters (Cherokee/Kiowa) is an award-winning filmmaker whose creative work spans directing, producing, and casting through her production company, Waters Media. Named to the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Loren is also the Executive Director of the Lindy Waters III Foundation, where she is dedicated to serving Native youth and uplifting Indigenous communities.

Her work has been showcased at esteemed festivals like Sundance, SXSW, and Hot Docs. Her Academy Award-qualifying short documentary film, Tiger, received the Short Film Special Jury Award for Directing at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, along with 6 other awards on the festival circuit.

She has contributed to renowned films and television series, including The Lowdown, Reservation Dogs, and Fancy Dance, as the youngest Indigenous casting director in the industry. Her achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards such as the New York Foundation of the Arts - Anonymous Was a Woman Environmental Art Grant, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation LIFT Award, and the Running Strong Foundation Dreamstarter Environmental Justice Award.

Her short documentary, ᏗᏂᏠᎯ ᎤᏪᏯ (Meet Me at the Creek), has garnered significant acclaim, receiving First Place at the UBUNTU Climate Arts & Storytelling Showcase and recognition as a Best Mini-Doc Top 10 Finalist at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.

Loren’s storytelling is deeply rooted in cross-cultural Indigenous experiences and celebrates community collaboration, as she continues to shape a vibrant and inclusive future through her work.

Photo by Ryan RedCorn