# Discover Different: Your Invitation to Step Inside the… > Source: https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/custom-email/discover-different-your-invitation-to-step-inside-the-movies/ > Updated: 2026-09-18T16:58:12+00:00 > Type: Email Newsletter Charlotte Is Creative isn’t just our name. It’s a statement. A belief. --- ![](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/1-2.png) **Charlotte Is Creative** isn’t just our name. It’s a statement. A belief. From visual art, film and music to installations and community-based programs, Charlotte’s creative community spans nearly every medium imaginable. Whether you’re from the Queen City or somewhere across the world, there is a place for you to connect, dive in and discover something new. And next week, you can not only experience that creativity on the big screen but also hear directly from the storytellers behind it. To help you make a night of it, we’ve created an itinerary for the perfect evening of film, food and Charlotte arts and culture, plus a “Discover Different” challenge for you and your fellow film go-ers and explorers. ## **CHARLOTTE IS A FILM CITY** Created in 2006, the[**Charlotte Film Festival (CFF)**](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/schedule/) gives established and emerging filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work to industry peers and fans of independent film. In recent years, CFF has found a home at [**The Independent Picture House**](https://independentpicturehouse.org/), where it has grown into a dynamic gathering of filmmakers from around the world, industry professionals and an engaged, curious audience. You can join them from Tuesday, Sept. 22, through Sunday, Sept. 27, when CFF will present more than **160 films from over 30 countries**, highlighting emerging, regional, international and independent filmmakers. The lineup includes animated and student shorts, narrative and documentary films and 19 highly anticipated special presentations. But CFF offers more than screenings. Festivalgoers can meet filmmakers during post-screening Q&As and hear from filmmakers and industry professionals during free **Daily Talks** at[**Eighty Eights Coffee & Cocktails**](https://www.instagram.com/eightyeightsclt/). In other words, you won’t just watch a movie. You’ll have the opportunity to step inside its story. ![](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2-2.png) ## **MEET THE STORYTELLERS — INCLUDING LOCAL FILMMAKERS** CFF expects more than **100 filmmakers** to attend this year’s festival, including at least 24 returning filmmakers. Among the established filmmakers attending is[**Rob Burnett**](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0122427/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_Rob%20Burnett), a two-time Emmy Award winner and the writer and director of[***In Memoriam***](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/movies/in-memoriam/). Several Charlotte-based filmmakers will also participate, including[**John Schwert**](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1868149/?ref_=tt_ov_1_1) and[**Jason Allen King**](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1992876/?ref_=tt_ov_2_1), co-writers of[***This Is George & Monty***](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/movies/this-is-george-and-monty/). The film will screen Friday, Sept. 25, followed by a special Q&A with John and Jason. Charlotte’s connections to the festival don’t stop there.[**William D. Caballero**](https://mccollcenter.org/artists-in-residence/artist/william-caballero), who began working on[***TheyDream***](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/movies/theydream/) during the **McColl Center**[Artist-in-Residence Program](https://mccollcenter.org/programs/residency), will also attend CFF on Saturday, Sept. 26. They’ll discuss the documentary with audience members following its screening. These Q&As and post-screening conversations are only the beginning of your opportunities to connect with filmmakers from Charlotte and across the country as CFF has also created time to pull back the curtain on documentary funding, animation and film incentives, disability representation and turning a creative idea into a producible project. ![](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/4-2.png) ## **DAILY TALKS: CHAT, LEARN AND CONNECT** CFF’s[**Daily Talks**](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/sections/daily-talks/) bring filmmakers, industry professionals and festivalgoers together for conversations at **Eighty Eights Coffee & Cocktails**. Talks begin at 4 p.m. each day from Wednesday, Sept. 23, through Sunday, Sept. 27. Plan your festival schedule with these conversations in mind: - **Wednesday, Sept. 23:**[Changes in the NC & Federal Film Incentives](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/special_events/changes-in-the-nc-federal-film-incentives/) - **Thursday, Sept. 24:**[The Game of Documentary Funding](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/special_events/the-game-of-documentary-funding/) - **Friday, Sept. 25:**[Why Are We Compelled to Animate](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/special_events/why-are-we-compelled-to-animate/) - **Saturday, Sept. 26:**[Turning Creative Ideas into Producible Projects](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/special_events/turning-creative-ideas-into-producible-projects/) - **Sunday, Sept. 27:**[Disability Representation in Film](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/special_events/disability-representation-in-film/) **EDITOR’S NOTE:** Wednesday’s conversation will be especially practical for members of Charlotte’s film community.[**Beth Petty**](https://www.charlottefilm.com/our-team), director of the **Charlotte Regional Film Commission**, will explore recent changes to the[**NC Film Incentive and Entertainment Grant**](https://www.filmnc.com/25-rebate). ![](https://www.charlotteiscreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/3-2.png) *Photos curtesy of Independent Picture House* ## **DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW** Through this year’s program, CFF gives everyone, regardless of their background or experience with film, an opportunity to encounter new stories, perspectives and art. It’s all captured in the festival’s invitation: **“DISCOVER DIFFERENT.”**And don’t fret – we are here to help you build your own festival experience. For the perfect night out with a family member, friend, or significant other, here’s what we (the party folks at Charlotte Is Creative) would do on a CFF night out (we picked Friday, Sept. 25 as an example): - 4 p.m. Daily Talks: [Why Are We Compelled to Animate?](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/special_events/why-are-we-compelled-to-animate/) - 5:15 p.m. Dinner: [Soul Gastro Lounge](https://soulgastrolounge.com/) [Flicks & Bites Program](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/flicks-bites/) offering 10% off food (we love the [Soul Roll](https://soulgastrolounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/SoulMenuPrint7-17-26.pdf)) - 7:15 p.m. Screening Time: [This is George & Monty](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/movies/this-is-george-and-monty/) - Post-Screening Q&A with co-writers [John Schwert](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1868149/?ref_=tt_ov_1_1) and[Jason Allen King](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1992876/?ref_=tt_ov_2_1) - 8:30 p.m. Evening Closer at Eighty Eights: [Live music every Friday and Saturday](https://eightyeightsclt.com/) PLUS the Espresso Martini’s are incredible And, if you’re a seasoned creative consumer, take the **DISCOVER DIFFERENT CHALLENGE** – throughout the week of the festival, be intentional about what you are watching and see if you can check off: - One film from a Charlotte filmmaker - One story or short from somewhere you’ve never been - One film you might not ordinarily choose Anyway you make it, there is something for everyone at the Charlotte Film Festival. The festival runs from Tuesday, Sept. 22, through Sunday, Sept. 27 with tickets available now for purchase [HERE](https://charlottefilmfestival.org/2026/tickets-passes/). This Biscuit is sponsored by The Independent Picture House.