By Cameron Lee
August 19, 2025
Charlotte’s film community will join forces this week at Independent Picture House for the 1CLT Film Festival, featuring 13 local film organizations, each presenting curated programs of shorts, features, and documentaries from regional, national, and international filmmakers. All screenings are free, with opportunities to attend Q&As, meet filmmakers, network, and support local arts nonprofits.
Launched in 2020 as a virtual collaboration, the festival has grown into one of Charlotte’s exciting new film festivals, amplifying underrepresented voices and showcasing a diverse lineup of riveting stories.
All screenings are free, though donations are encouraged to support local nonprofits focused on film, arts education, and community development.
Check out the full screening schedule for 1CLT Film Festival happening at Independent Picture House this week:
Wednesday, August 20
- 7:30 p.m. – Opening Night: Kick off 1CLT with a collection of short films, including I Am Not Your Black Girl directed by Ricki Nelson (Carolina Independent Film Collective) and Spoon written and directed by Victor Velasco (Charlotte Film Festival).
Thursday, August 21
- 6:00 p.m. – Black Girls Film Camp: Five short films (Rewinded, Crescendo, Blank, and Day One) with a post-screening Q&A.
- 7:30 p.m. – CineOdyssey Film Festival: Classic 1975 animated film by Ralph Bakshi, Coonskin, celebrating its 50th Anniversary, paired with the pilot short Zack In Time.
Friday, August 22
- 5:00 p.m. – Charlotte Asian Film Festival: Three short films (Threads, Teb Chaw (Land), and The Market) exploring Southeast Asian and indigenous refugee communities in the U.S. Threads (Quyên Nguyễn-Lê) portrays the Montagnard Dega community in North Carolina. Teb Chaw (Land) (Joua Lee Grande) follows Hmong refugee farmers in Minnesota, and The Market (Oanh-Nhi Nguyễn, produced by Quyên Nguyễn-Lê) highlights Philadelphia’s Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park, a hub of community and belonging. There will also be an interview and panel discussion with filmmaker Quyên Nguyễn-Lê.
- 7:30 p.m. – Reel Out Charlotte: Ten shorts including Dragfox, Clementine, Parallel Lines, Circle, Yellow Inside, That’s Family, Scattered, and Reboot.
- 10:00 p.m. – Stranger Days Film Festival: Three shorts and a feature: The Dwell Hotel, A Hopeful Madness, In The Stillness, and Migraine.
Saturday, August 23
- 12:00 p.m. – Carolina Film Festival: Two award-winning shorts with post-screening Q&A with producer Nick Coppola: Beyond Us — After the Collapse and Other Side of the Box.
- 2:30 p.m. – Charlotte Latino Film Festival: Encore screening of Hecho Aquí short film block: Charlotte Is Home, Gabriela, German Painting, Refugio, and Salpimienta (Work-in-Progress).
- 5:00 p.m. – Gold Reel Film Festival: Eight student shorts with post-screening Q&A: The New Year’s Eve Massacre, The Presence of Absence, Certified Clown, Magnum Opus, Emotional Fro, Go to a Show, Marty’s TV Room, Nightfall’s End.
- 7:30 p.m. – 15 Short Film Festival: Five short films with post-screening Q&A with the Directors of The Conversation (Keya Hamilton) and I Could Die And That Would Be Alright (A.K. Espada).
- 10:00 p.m. – Charlotte Film Festival: Free screening of 2023 festival alumni film Hundreds of Beavers, preceded by shorts The Procedure (2016) and Hitte (2019).
Sunday, August 24
- 12:00 p.m. – Charlotte Unconventional Film School: Two short films with post-screening Q&A: The 10,000 Hours of Low Groves and The Secret Formula to Lovin’ Life.
- 2:30 p.m. – Charlotte Jewish Film Festival: Screening of The Glory of Life, exploring the last year in Franz Kafka’s life.
- 5:00 p.m. – Carolina Independent Film Collective: Closing event.
Check out the full 1CLT Film Festival schedule here.
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