Lights! Camera! Action!

It’s no secret that Charlotte has long been used as a location for Hollywood productions like Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret, Days of Thunder and (sigh) Shallow Hal and serialized shows like Homeland, Banshee and Shots Fired.

A quick peek at the North Carolina Film Office’s list of “recent productions” shows that Charlotte is still on the entertainment industry’s radar screen. We’re particularly interested in the new show, Blue Ridge, featuring local actors.

But, what’s not getting as much attention in the public eye is the community of local filmmakers and film organizations at work here. A dedicated community of film lovers, especially those with a passion for uplifting cinema that provides diverse, cultural perspectives and stories, is hard at work.

There’s a lot to dive into … and you can start as soon as TODAY.

Click HERE to watch a trailer for Cine Casual

CINE CASUAL

• Dates: Aug. 25 – Sept. 16, 2023
• Times: All films show at 7 p.m.
• Locations: Independent Picture House
• Tickets: Start at $10. Purchase here.

Founded in 2016, Cine Casual is a Charlotte-based film festival dedicated to highlighting Ibero-American cinema, playing host to the Cine Casual Film Series since 2020. This series curated and screens recent, internationally-acclaimed and award-winning Latin American films that will likely not be shown in local theaters. This year’s festival launches Aug. 25 and will screen seven films through Sept. 16 at the Independent Picture House next to the Charlotte Art League.

Cine Casual is a resource for film enthusiasts and an advocate for the talent and productions that emerge from the region.

Films to be Screened

Read full descriptions of the films here.

• Aug. 25: Medida Provisória / Executive Order
• Aug. 26: El castigo / The Punishment
• Aug. 30: La pecera / The Fishbowl
• Sept. 8: Hecho Aquí: Local Shorts Showcase
• Sept. 9: El viaje extraordinario de Celeste García / The Extraordinary Journey of Celeste García
• Sept. 15: El silencio del topo / The Silence of the Mole
• Sept. 16: Regreso a Escalona / Back to Escalona

From Giovanna Torres, founder of Cine Casual:

“Audiences can expect to see the best recent films coming out of Latin America – films that have been screened and raved about at international film festivals, yet due to distribution, many won’t land on streaming services in the U.S. After last year’s reception, we’re bringing back, “Hecho Aquí: Local Shorts Showcase,” a night to highlight and celebrate short films made in NC by or staring Latinx talent.”

BEST OF 48-HOUR FILM PROJECT

• Date: Sept. 1
• Times: 7 to 10 p.m.
• Locations: Booth Playhouse
• Tickets: Start at $9. Purchase here.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Charlotte chapter of the 48-Hour Film Project. Just a few weeks ago, local filmmakers met on a Friday night to draw a film genre, a prop, a character and a line of dialogue. From there, they have just 48 hours to write, cast, shoot, edit and submit a seven-minute film for consideration.

Next Friday, Sept. 1, the best of those films will be screened at the Booth Playhouse, vying for the grand prize – the chance to move on and compete for a chance to show their film at Festival de Cannes 2024. The evening will also feature a Q&A session with filmmakers about their experience shooting a project in just two days.

From Will Fisher, city producer of the 48-Hour Film Project – Charlotte:

“If you’re looking to meet Charlotte’s rising stars in filmmaking, this is your opportunity. The winner from Charlotte will compete at an event called Filmapalooza where the winning films from more than 100 cities will screen for a chance at 12 slots to screen at Cannes. This is the shortest path to Cannes for local filmmakers…”

CINEODYSSEY’S AFROFUTIRUSM: CURATED

• Date: Sept. 23
• Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Locations: Little Rock Cultural Center
• Tickets: Start at $6.19. Purchase here.

Hot off their most recent festival in June, CineOdssey is preparing to screen a curated collection of films that explore the concept of Afrofuturism, defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “an avant-garde exploration into the universe of Black speculative fiction, science, technology, art, and music.”

This one-day event aims “to converge the lines between past, present, and future through an Afrocentric lens,” by exploring seven works from filmmakers of color from across the globe. The event will also feature a pop-up art gallery from local creatives, a vinyl record set from DJ Cairo Black, spoken word from Jah Smalls, a performance from hip hop artist Mason Parker, food trucks showcasing cuisine from the African diaspora and more.

Films to be Screened

Read full descriptions of the films here.

• Paperback Hero Saga: Episode Petey Pablo (Mason Parker)\
• Jordan
• Nu Beings
• We Were Meant To
• Everybody Don’t Electric Slide
• Danger Word
• The Space Race

From Tre McGriff, executive director of the CineOdyssey Film Festival:

“This event offers a unique platform for envisioning and shaping tomorrow. It promises to be a vibrant convergence of ideas, artistry, and exploration, featuring an array of activities and experiences that showcase the fusion of traditional and futuristic concepts.”