Two states, one fest? Carolina Film Festival brings world of film to Charlotte
No stranger to film festivals, there’s one in the Charlotte region that’s looking to bridge both North and South Carolina for film fans. Entering its fourth year, the Carolina Film Festival is bringing films from around the world to Charlotte with an aim to bring the experience around the state.
“You have to get to the movies and talk to the filmmakers. Get to know them. Make it personal,” Oliver Crooms, the festival’s founder, told CharlotteFive. “A lot of these filmmakers are even local, so you get the chance to meet your local film community.”
Crooms started the festival in 2021 to elevate filmmakers. In each festival, judges reward films in eight categories: Best Short, Drama Short, Horror Short, Animated Short, Student Film, Documentary Short, Music Video and Trailer. All of the films in these categories are up for Most Creative and Best Director at the festival.
While submissions for the festival come from all over the world, the festival experience itself is geared toward local Carolinians.
“We just want to elevate filmmakers because we have very diverse and talented filmmakers here in the Carolinas,” he said. “And our goal is just to have a platform (for the filmmakers).”
This year’s program features a Q&A with industry professionals, including one local connection.
Crooms will be speaking with actor Dave Maldonado, who was featured in a prominent role in the summer hit “Sinners;” actor Lawrence Gilligan, a former newscaster from Charlotte who turned to news in Metropolis in the blockbuster movie “Superman” earlier this year; and director Stephen J. Anderson, a Disney veteran known for directing “Winnie the Pooh” and “Meet the Robinsons.”
“We have an animation (professional). We have someone from a horror film, but not a big budget. And then we have someone that’s involved in an over $250 million movie. So that’s three different perspectives that we’re looking forward to this year,” Crooms said.
The festival will also feature a special guest in N.C. Sen. Caleb Theodros, who is speaking about Senate Bill 301, which aims to create opportunities for independent filmmakers in the state.
“I think it’s just a good idea for everybody to learn and be educated about something new, especially when it’s helping Carolina filmmakers,” Crooms said.
Crooms added that he hopes there are opportunities to bring the Carolina Film Festival to new cities in the future. The second edition of the festival was in Rock Hill, while the last two have been in Charlotte.
“We receive films from all over the world. We receive multiple films from Europe, a few from China, a lot from Canada, from Cambodia … all over the place. So our long term goal is to be able to take our festival and make it put it on wheels,” he said.
“Our long-term goal is to be able to go to Greensboro and have the Carolina Film Festival, or go to Myrtle Beach, or Fayetteville or Charleston, and just kind of bridge the gap between the Carolinas. … If it is in Charlotte, (or) in Charleston, we’re going to make every city look great. We want to show off the city where we go.”
The Carolina Film Festival takes place on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 1:30 p.m. with a red carpet for guests at The Independent Picture House. Tickets can be found at carolinafilmfestival.com.
