This interview originally appeared in The Independent Picture House’s bi-monthly newsletter exclusively for members! Be the first to see in-depth reflections on film and know about upcoming events by becoming a member today.
The Charlotte Film Festival returns Sept. 24 for its 16th year of showcasing the best in independent cinema from here and around the world. Program Director Taylor Montalto tells us how the films are selected, what she finds rewarding about her work and what she’s most excited for you to see.
Can you give us a brief history of the Charlotte Film Festival and its mission?
We strive to bring the most innovative independent cinema to Charlotte for our patrons and film enthusiasts. This will be our third year in our permanent space at The Independent Picture House. We’re so blessed to have that space.
Since the festival started in 2006, it has evolved, but what has remained consistent is our aim to “Discover Different” and to provide the highest quality festival experience for our filmmakers and audience members.
How many submissions did you get this year, and how many films were selected?
This is another record-setting year. We had 622 submissions, which we have narrowed down 116. We’re still finalizing some invited films and special presentations. When all is said and done, we’ll probably hit 130 films. We have 12 countries represented so far. And of course we are supporting our regional filmmakers and some of our alums from previous festivals.
Were there any particular themes or genres that stood out this year among the submissions?
This is my fifth year programming the festival, and I feel like it’s the year that we’ve truly embodied our motto “Discover Different.” There’s such a unique slate of stories and genres for pretty much everyone to appreciate. The films this year speak to the resiliency of the human spirit.
When you are making selections and putting together the program, what are you looking for?
First and foremost, I am seeking out unique voices and filmmakers with diverse cultural backgrounds. Filmmakers have the opportunity to talk about their films in a director’s statement. Some of them offer cover letters. I read all of that. I always consider it, especially when in their letters they’re talking about why they chose Charlotte and why it would be a great festival to highlight their film. I appreciate when they are familiar with our programming and say, “Hey, because you programmed this in previous years, I feel that my film would best suit your audiences.” We strive to support returning filmmakers. We also consider a variety of genres. We’ve got our late-night blocks, our weirdo shorts and stories, but we also have comedy and drama that can speak to a wide array of demographics.
Is there a film or an event this year that you are particularly excited about?
This is the first year that we have offered animated shorts as an official category. Last year I programmed a test run to see if there’s an audience for it, and it sold out. I usually try to invite films from festivals like South by Southwest and Sundance. One I’m excited about, as a documentary lover, is a Sundance official selection from this year’s festival, Porcelain War. It was such a moving film. I am excited for audiences in Charlotte to see it.
What do you enjoy most about being programming director?
It’s been an incredible privilege to be a part of the Charlotte Film Festival since 2016. I started as a general volunteer. I was ripping tickets and handing out ballots and helping at the box office. Pretty much any way I could get involved, I did it. Seeing how the festival has evolved, screening submissions, narrowing down selections and assisting Jay [Morong], our co-director, in finalizing the schedule, I’ve found it a welcome challenge that is well worth the reward of introducing fresh, new independent stories.
I have a full-time job and three part-time jobs on top of this. They’re all arts nonprofits, so I am immersed in creative spaces, and that gives me an opportunity to help the Charlotte Film Festival flourish. Giving filmmakers, especially first-time filmmakers, the chance to play their work in a fully operational art house cinema and allowing them the space to network with fellow creatives, honestly that pays for the endless work hours and the sleepless nights.
What are the biggest challenges?
We’re a six-day festival as opposed to, say, a 10-day festival, such as the Atlanta Film Festival, where I work. Every year there are films I grow an attachment to that don’t make the final cut, and I hate that. That’s my least favorite part of the whole process, because there are so many great films out there and we don’t have the space. Next year, having a fourth auditorium will allow us to program more films.
Once all the films have been decided and the filmmakers have been notified, then the real work begins. Any festival, especially a small regional one, requires a lot of moving parts to make the event actually happen. We rely heavily on our small team. But we do it to bring people to independent cinema.
How does the festival support young and independent filmmakers?
The festival gives them a public platform to exhibit their work in front of a diverse audience of film lovers and fellow filmmakers. We also have juried competition awards for each of our major categories and a special social justice award selected from a curated jury for each category. Those come with cash prizes for the winners. Additionally, we offer entry-fee wavers for filmmakers who are part of organizations like Film Fatales, which supports female and nonbinary filmmakers. We also offer waivers for our alums. Even those who don’t get accepted, we offer waivers for them to submit the following year. We do that as a thank you for allowing us to show their work.
Can you give us an overview of the schedule and how to purchase tickets?
The best way to see what’s playing and when it’s playing is to check out our full schedule. You can buy tickets here. Packs of five or 10 tickets will provide major savings if you want to see multiple films. One person can bring four friends or they can see five films themselves. They get a promo code, and they can redeem tickets from the schedule and use them however they like.
If people want to get involved with the festival, how can they do so?
They can follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, and also The Independent Picture House on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram. We have a form on the IPH website that they can fill it out and become volunteers. Volunteering can be anything from helping direct traffic to helping in the festival lounge, so volunteers have the opportunity to communicate with filmmakers directly. We honestly could not run the festival without our volunteers.
Want to learn more? Go the Charlotte Film Festival website for the full schedule and ticket information.