The 17th annual Charlotte Film Festival concluded Sunday night at the Independent Picture House, following a week of screenings, panel discussions, and months of planning. WSOC TV
Co-director Jay Morong and filmmaker Natalie Metzger sat down in the theatre’s “Micro-Cinema” — a tiny 17-seat screening room — to reflect on the festival’s focus and the challenges of elevating underrepresented voices. WSOC TV
“Discover Different”: The Festival’s Mission
Morong explained the festival’s guiding motto, “Discover Different,” does more than seek novelty — it aims to uncover fresh perspectives in storytelling. WSOC TV He emphasized that the festival values “unique voices” and narratives told from angles not frequently seen. WSOC TV
Metzger, who has served as a producer, director, writer, and dancer, praised Charlotte’s receptive energy. She said that while she had previous films showcased here, this year was her first full participation — and she admired how the festival team curated daring content and supported local engagement. WSOC TV
Local Roots & Global Reach
Morong remarked that Charlotte, as a city with diverse demographics and growing cultural influence, should reflect a broad spectrum of voices in its festival programming. WSOC TV This year, the festival introduced daily talks to facilitate networking between local creators and visiting filmmakers. WSOC TV
For Metzger, some of the standout works included:
- Under The Lights — A coming-of-age drama about a young man with epilepsy striving for independence. The story is partly inspired by the writer/director’s own life. WSOC TV
- Queens of the Dead — A horror-comedy featuring drag queens combating a zombie apocalypse, blending genre conventions with queer sensibilities. WSOC TV
- Randy as Himself — A short film that plays with dark humor and meta commentary around a small town and a true crime production. WSOC TV
Metzger described her passion for stories that combine heart, humor, and social insight, particularly those emerging from underrepresented communities. WSOC TV
Crafting the Festival
Putting together the Charlotte Film Festival is a yearlong labor, Morong shared. It begins with submission reviews and marketing, then ramps into scheduling and curating by mid-summer. WSOC TV His role as a longtime lecturer at UNC Charlotte also feeds into the festival’s cultural bridge between academia, performance, and film. WSOC TV
They see the festival as a communal space — where filmmakers, audiences, and local creatives come together to watch new work, talk ideas, and feel part of a shared story. WSOC TV
Looking Ahead & Advice for Filmmakers
Morong hopes that in five years, the festival will continue to maintain its integrity and perhaps expand to two weeks if demand grows. WSOC TV
For aspiring filmmakers, Metzger emphasizes persistence. She recounted the story of Greener Grass, a film supported by the Charlotte Film Festival — its creators endured years of rejection before breaking through. WSOC TV Her message: keep creating even when success isn’t immediate — your work may already be resonating with someone.
(Photo by Jeff Hahne/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
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