IW Exclusive: Cinematographer Justin Ivan Hong Reflects On Being An Outsider and Unique Collaboration With Buffalo Nickel Creative

From L to R: Joseph Brown Thunder, Ryan Redcorn, Justin Ivan Hong

In the fiercely competitive world of media production, an unlikely partnership has quietly established itself as a blueprint for ethical, high-level creative collaboration. For the last five years, Buffalo Nickel Creative (BNC), an agency founded on the principle of Indigenous narrative sovereignty, has worked hand-in-hand with internationally acclaimed Cinematographer Justin Ivan Hong.

Hong is not a Native, neither is he American. In fact, he hails from the Southeast Asian island nation of Singapore and who, in theory, might seem like a counterintuitive choice for an agency dedicated to prioritizing and elevating Indigenous voices. Yet, this partnership has been a resounding success for both sides — a testament to BNC’s forward-thinking leadership and Hong’s profound commitment to shared growth.

The Unlikely Blueprint: Welcoming External Excellence

From the outset, BNC’s leadership understood that building a truly sovereign Indigenous creative force meant welcoming external knowledge while maintaining firm creative control.

“Our mission is absolute: we are here to uplift Native filmmakers and tell our stories on our own terms,” says BNC Chief Executive and Co-Founder, Joseph Brown Thunder (Ho-Chunk and Lakota). “But that does not mean we close ourselves off to the wisdom and experience of others. In fact, part of the growth of truly robust and resilient Native abilities is opening ourselves up to learn and collaborate with the best artists in the world like Justin.”

Ryan Redcorn, BNC’s Creative Director and other Co-Founder, echoes this sentiment: “Justin brings a technical excellence that, when shared, raises the bar for everyone on set. We believe in capacity building, and that means bringing in top-tier partners who are willing to teach and commit long-term. His presence among us is strategic, not merely transactional.”

He continued: "There are of course, many great Cinematographers here in the US, but Justin really impressed us not only with his craft, but with his patience and heart for teaching and imparting knowledge to the next generation. He also brought with him an international worldview, culture, and practice that we have yet to encounter in another domestic US Cinematographer."

Over the past five years, this collaboration has flourished across four major projects - The narrative film Dead Bird Hearts, and three national campaigns for Nike N7 - and several smaller regional documentaries. Hong’s dedication is now slated to continue into BNC's most ambitious endeavor yet: a proposed feature documentary exploring the tumultuous history of the Osage Nation.

The Generosity of Knowledge: Building Capacity, Not Dependency

Justin Ivan Hong

The key to this enduring partnership lies in Hong’s intentional approach: he operates not as a hired gun or a superior, but as a generous knowledge sharer and resource. He has committed his time and experience to ensuring a new generation of Indigenous filmmakers gains the high-end technical skills needed to lead their own projects at the highest level in the future.

For Hong, this collaboration became a masterclass in professional reciprocity. He brought the knowledge of studio-level lighting and camera techniques, while the BNC team provided the essential grounding in cultural protocol and community relationship building — lessons that redefined his entire professional perspective.

“I came in thinking I understood storytelling, but the folks at Buffalo Nickel taught me what it truly means to be a steward of a story, not an owner of it,” Hong states. “In every decision we make, the focus is on the long-term; aligning ourselves on the things that endure and that truly matter. Even though it may the the more difficuly choice. That philosophy is the true measure of success here.”

Lessons Learned: Core Cultural Shifts

Through years of sustained collaboration, Hong has undergone a his own fundamental cultural shift in his approach to production, gaining profound respect for the values that anchor Indigenous communities.

“The most significant insight I gained was understanding that relationship is the highest protocol,” Hong explains. “In my previous way of operating, the priority was always speed and efficiency. With them however, I've gradually learnt that you must shed the hyper-speed demands of the unforgiving commercial world and embrace the time required to first establish a personal connection and relationship with your fellow collaborators. Building that trust and respect first, is what enables the story to be told authentically.”

He continues, reflecting on visual philosophy: “The concept of collective vision also changed how I framed every shot. I realized that Indigenous success is rarely framed as individual glory. The narrative always centers on the individual's strength being rooted in their family and community. We emphasize the support system that made the achievement possible, not just the isolated hero.”

Justin Ivan Hong and Ryan Redcorn on location during the filming of DEAD BIRD HEARTS

Finally, Hong encountered the depth of modern Indigenous identity. He learned that the history of a nation is interwoven with the vibrant, contemporary reality of its people — their business savvy, their resilience, and their distinct, often fierce, sense of humor.

“They challenged every stereotype I unknowingly held,” Hong reflects. “I’ve learned that the true narrative is rich, complex, and overwhelmingly forward-looking. I may not be Native American, but through BNC’s generosity, I've been given a seat at the table, and for that, I feel like I've become a part of the extended community, committed to seeing their vision succeed for the long term. I'm very thankful for that. It's been such a rich and fulfilling experience.”