Buffalo Tiger was a celebrated figure amongst the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians and Montana Cypress’s childhood in Ochopee. Cypress’s grandfather, and elders of the Miccosukee Tribe, briefly recounted
stories of Buffalo Tiger and his delegations with Fidel Castro, the former longtime president of Cuba. In October 2024, Cypress met with the co-producer of “Prey,” Jhane Myers, to divulge his newest thriller project: “Becoming Buffalo.”

“We’ve got to do something about that,” Myers said.

Cypress grew up on the Miccosukee reservation making films with his brother, Talbert, as a child. At 27, Cypress left his family home in Ochopee to attend the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, where
he graduated with an associate of fine arts degree. The Native Voices theater ensemble at The Autry Museum of the American West supported Cypress and taught him how to hone his writing. “The Red Orchid,” a horror folktale, was Cypress’s first short film.

“This particular story, ‘Becoming Buffalo,’ spawned because of a story I’d heard growing up, but didn’t know a lot of details about,” Cypress said. “These stories were never really told.”

William Buffalo Tiger was born in the Everglades in 1920. In the early 1950s, Tiger was appointed as the Miccosukee Tribe’s spokesman, serving as an outspoken leader of the community. The tribe sought federal recognition; without it, the tribe would be unable to receive federal aid or hold their
lands in a trust, as per the United States government. Tiger responded by accepting invitation from Castro, who offered the tribe sanctuary in Cuba. Upon Tiger’s return, the United States agreed to federally
recognize the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida on Jan. 11, 1962.

Soon after, Tiger became the tribe’s first chairman.

“A lot of the knowledge behind this film is composed of newspaper articles,” Cypress added. “I went to the Historical Preservation Society on the Miccosukee Reservation. I spoke to elders. It’s clear there was overwhelming paranoia and failed negotiations leading up to Cuba.”

Ashley Cypress, Montana Cypress’s sister, designed the cast’s patchwork two months prior to filming.
“My sister is a sprinter for sure,” Cypress said. “The historical photographs we had were black and white. We had to trace these back to museums to determine what color palate was most appropriate.”

More than half of the film was shot in Mikasuki—the Miccosukee language. The cast includes Miccosukee and Seminole tribal members, and filming took place on both tribal reservations and across South
Florida throughout November.

“Looking back, it was the research phase that opened my eyes to how risky everything was and how essential it was for the Tribe to hold onto their cultural values,” Cypress said. “It’s important to hold onto these stories and remain connected to something older than ourselves. The best I can do is keep writing, reading, and auditioning as a Miccosukee individual, representing my tribe. That’s where creation starts for me.”

Cypress’s most recent project is a full length, comedic play for the holidays that debuted in Minneapolis on Dec. 3, titled “A Christmas in Ochopee.” Cypress goes back and forth from the Everglades for filmmaking; he’s been doing so for the last four years.

“Filmmaking, for me, is to entertain. If no one’s entertained, then it loses its ability to affect.”