By Cameron Lee
April 15, 2025
Tre McGriff, founder of CineOdyssey — a nonprofit launched in 2017 known for screening independent films across Charlotte — is debuting his first Animation Festival this week. The multi-day event, taking place April 17-19 at Independent Picture House, VAPA Center, and The Gantt, will spotlight Black animators and student filmmakers.
Since the pandemic, McGriff had been exploring the idea of an animation-focused event, driven by a desire to introduce something new to the local film scene.
“I wanted to explore something different than just doing, like, virtual screenings,” he said. “And I was like, ‘there’s got to be another mode of content creation that we can present.’”
After attending the Afroanimation Summit in Burbank, California for the past three years and conducting research, McGriff realized that animated film festivals — especially ones centering around filmmakers of color — are rare. “Filmmakers are gravitating to animation at a much younger age, especially anime,” he noted.
The inaugural CineOdyssey Animation Festival will showcase 40 short films by emerging and experienced animators, aiming to amplify underrepresented voices in the medium. It kicks off Thursday at Independent Picture House with Collections In Black, a documentary about African American comic book collectors, directed by Pittsburgh’s DJ Phill, followed by a Q&A.
On Friday, the festival will honor Charlotte native Calvin Brown Jr. with the CineOdyssey Vanguard Award at the VAPA Center. Brown created My Brother and Me, Nickelodeon’s first Black sitcom, which aired in 1995 and was set in West Charlotte. Brown’s career began as an intern on A Different World and he went on to receive writing and producing credits for Moesha, Living Single, The Sinbad Show, and Married… with Children. He also served as executive producer for Disney Channel’s The Proud Family. The award ceremony will include a reading by Emmy-winning Charlotte spoken word artist Bluz, along with wine and light bites.
Later that day, Shequeta Smith — a Salisbury native, NC State alum, and founder of Shero Comics — will host a free fireside chat at The Gantt. Now based in Los Angeles, Smith is best known for her graphic novel series Rayven Choi, which follows a Korean-African American woman seeking justice for her parents’ murder. The story is currently being adapted into a mobile game. She’ll share her creative journey and discuss the importance of centering women and girls of color in storytelling.
Friday night at Independent Picture House will feature a screening of animated student films from top institutions like USC, San Jose State, and School of Visual Art, highlighting a diverse range of styles and genres from emerging talent.
The festival concludes Saturday with Tanzanian-American animator and comedian Zulfiqar “Zul” Manzi, whose original animated series The Matumbilas follows an African family adjusting to life in middle-class America. A discussion with the creators will offer insight into the process of developing an animated show.
For McGriff, who has long championed underrepresented filmmakers by curating a wide range of screenings in Charlotte over the years, this new chapter is about carving out space for animation in the city’s arts scene.
“I want to create a space or a lane for animation,” he said. “I just think it’s a cool thing, and down the line, I’d love to see a bigger industry here.”
Check out the full lineup of events for the first annual CineOdyssey Animation Festival and purchase tickets here:
Thursday, April 17 – Opening Night
Independent Picture House at 6:30 p.m.
The festival opens with Collections In Black, a documentary by DJ Big Phill exploring the history of African American comic book collectors. Enjoy red carpet arrivals, drinks, and a post-screening Q&A with the director.
Friday, April 18 – Honoring Creators & Emerging Talent
VAPA Center at 11:00 a.m.
Calvin Brown Jr., creator of My Brother and Me (Nickelodean’s first Black family sitcom) and executive producer of The Proud Family, receives the Vanguard Award. Light bites and wine included with poetry by Bluz.
The Gantt at 3:00 p.m.
Shequeta L. Smith, founder of Shero Comics, leads a fireside chat on centering women of color in comics, games, and animation.
Independent Picture House at 6:30 p.m.
A student animation showcase featuring top schools like USC and SVA.
Saturday, April 19 – Cross-Cultural Stories & Festival Close
Independent Picture House at 2:00 p.m.
Screening of The Matumbilas, a Tanzanian-American animated series from Zulfiqar Manzi, followed by a creator talkback. The program also includes a selection of animated shorts.
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