The Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina, Inc. or ECSIUT is a state-recognized Native American Indian group in the state of South Carolina under the SC Code Section 1-31-40 (A) (7)(10), Statutory Authority Chapter 139 (100-111) and obtained this status on February 17, 2005. The ECSIUT is organized to promote interest in scholarly research as well as foster accurate documentation of genealogical, biographical, and historical records surrounding the Cherokee and other Native American tribes originating in South Carolina. For twenty years the ESCIUT hosted an annual Native American film festival in Columbia, South Carolina which gave exposure to indigenous film makers.