Zachary Ates

I’m Zachary Ates, a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation and a Lead 3D Animator at Cherokee Film Studios with over five years of experience in feature animation. I hold a BFA in Character Animation from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I developed a strong foundation in character performance, storytelling, and visual direction.

As a Cherokee artist, I’m deeply passionate about creating authentic Native content that reflects and uplifts my community. My work focuses on blending cultural storytelling with cutting-edge animation techniques to produce meaningful, visually compelling experiences.

With a love for horror, Halloween, and queer artistry, I bring a unique creative perspective to every project I take on. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I’m always open to new opportunities, collaborations, and conversations about animation, film, and the future of Native storytelling in media.