Slamdance Film Festival 2025– We’re all familiar with those DNA tests that you can order in the mail. We’ve also likely heard a white person or two claim that they have some Native American heritage because such a test told them so. The Great Cherokee Grandmother is a short film directed by Anthony Sneed that traffics in comedy to make broader points about culture and heritage. It’s a clever short that takes care not to finger-point or place blame, while still staying on message.

The film stars John Henry Gloyne as John and Phoebe Tyers as Carol. They’re on a date, but it’s not going well. Initially, John appears generally interested in getting to know Carol. However, almost immediately, Carol focuses squarely on John’s Native American identity, before dominating the conversation. She claims that she has a great Cherokee grandmother, hence the film’s title.

There’s some sharp camera work at play here, as Sneed initially shifts the camera’s POV between John and Carol over the dinner table.  We’re also treated to John’s POV and his interior thoughts that underscore how uncomfortable Carol makes him feel. Going inside John’s head a few times adds to the laughs.

The film continues to poke and prod at the idea of culture and heritage when Carol suddenly orders one of those DNA tests on her phone just to prove that she has the great Cherokee grandmother that she claims. Everyone in the restaurant focuses on Carol, instead of John, the actual Native American. The sequence plays for laughs, while hitting at deeper truths.

Near the short’s conclusion, award-winning Native American actor Wes Studi makes an appearance. His role functions more like a PSA and deters from the narrative between Carol and John. He basically has a monologue that explains the harm in claiming another person’s culture and heritage as your own. Yet, his limited screen time is careful not to scold or come across as preachy.

While The Great Cherokee Grandmother contains lots of laughs, it hits at important truths about cultural appropriation. Yet, the film never comes across as pedantic, and the comedy helps to deliver the message.