About this Event
MORE THAN A SCREENING. A LAUNCHPAD. 🎬
The On The Rise Student Film Festival, presented by The Creative Cornerstone, is Charlotte's first film festival dedicated entirely to junior high, high school and early college filmmakers.
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, we're taking over the Independent Picture House for a full day celebrating North Carolina's next generation of filmmakers, directors, actors and storytellers.
This isn't just about watching student films.
It's about giving young creatives the opportunity to see their work on the big screen, connect with working industry professionals, learn more about careers in film and experience what it feels like to have a community show up for their creativity.
🎬 FESTIVAL DAY SCHEDULE
10:00–10:15 AM | Welcome
Kick off the On The Rise Student Film Festival with our opening welcome.
10:30–11:45 AM | Student Film Submissions
Enjoy a showcase of student film submissions from emerging young filmmakers and storytellers.
12:00–2:15 PM | Lunch + Festival Experience
Grab lunch from our food trucks, connect with other students, families, filmmakers and community members, and enjoy the festival space.
3:00–4:00 PM | Industry Panel + Live Q&A
Hear directly from working professionals across film and entertainment as they share career advice, behind-the-scenes experiences, industry insight and different pathways into the field. Bring your questions for our live Q&A!
4:00–4:15 PM | Break
4:30–5:30 PM | The Creative Cornerstone Student Film Showcase
See our students' work come to life on the big screen as we showcase films created through The Creative Cornerstone's programming.
5:30–6:00 PM | Student Acknowledgments + Closing Remarks
Celebrate our student filmmakers, recognize their accomplishments and close out our official festival programming.
6:00–7:00 PM | Festival Wrap-Up + Light Refreshments
Stick around for light refreshments, conversation and a final opportunity to connect with our festival community.
WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE
🎬 Student Film Screenings Throughout the Day
Watch original student-created films across drama, comedy, suspense, horror, animation, documentary shorts and more.
🏆 Award Recognitions
Celebrate the creativity, storytelling and accomplishments of emerging filmmakers.
🎥 Professional Workshop
Students will have the opportunity to learn directly from working creative and film professionals.
🎤 INDUSTRY PANEL + LIVE Q&A — 3:00 PM
One of the highlights of this year's On The Rise Student Film Festival is our Industry Panel, bringing students, families, aspiring creatives, and our community face-to-face with professionals actively working across film, television, production, education, and the creative industry.
Our panelists will share career advice, behind-the-scenes insight, lessons from their own professional journeys, and perspectives on breaking into and building careers within the industry. We'll close with a Live Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask their own questions.
MEET OUR 2026 INDUSTRY PANELISTS:
🎬 Walter Kiesling — Special Effects Coordinator whose credits include major film and television productions such as The Hunger Games, The Conjuring, and Lincoln.
🎬 Joanne Hock — Director + Screenwriter with an extensive career in filmmaking, directing, and storytelling.
🎬 Rodney Stringfellow — Director of Film Studies at UNC Charlotte and an award-winning screenwriter whose credits include programming for PBS Kids, Nick Jr., Disney Channel, BBC, Nickelodeon, and Sesame Workshop.
🎬 Alicia Fusting — Film and creative industry professional joining us to share her experience and insight with our next generation of storytellers.
🎬 Jonathan Grubbs — Producer, Line Producer + UPM with extensive production experience across film, television, and commercial projects.
Whether you're a young filmmaker wondering how to turn your creativity into a career, a parent looking to better understand opportunities within the industry, or simply someone who loves film, this conversation is for you.
The Industry Panel begins at 3:00 PM and is included with General Festival Admission.
Can't attend the full festival? Select our FREE Industry Panel Only ticket to join us specifically for the panel and Live Q&A : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/on-the-rise-student-film-festival-industry-panel-live-qa-tickets-1999689777956?aff=oddtdtcreator
🍴 Food Trucks
Grab lunch and connect with other students, families, filmmakers and members of the creative community.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This festival is for more than filmmakers.
We welcome:
• Students interested in film, acting, photography, production or storytelling
• Parents and families
• Educators and youth program leaders
• Aspiring filmmakers and creatives
• Film and entertainment professionals
• Community supporters
• Anyone who wants to celebrate the next generation of storytellers
Whether you have a film on screen or simply want to support young creatives, there's a seat for you.
EVENT DETAILS
📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
📍 Independent Picture House
4237 Raleigh Street
Charlotte, NC 28213
🎟️ Admission: FREE
Registration is strongly encouraged to help us plan seating and create the best possible festival experience.
LEARN MORE
Explore featured films, meet our Industry Panelists, learn about the festival experience and more on the official On The Rise Student Film Festival website: https://www.creativecornerstonenc.org/film-festival
Agenda
🕑: 10:00 AM
Festival Doors Open + Welcome
Info: Join us at Independent Picture House as we kick off the On The Rise Student Film Festival.
🕑: 11:00 AM
Student Film Screenings
Info: Experience student-created films across multiple genres, including drama, comedy, suspense, horror, animation and documentary shorts.
🕑: 01:00 PM
Professional Workshop
Info: An interactive learning experience designed to give young creatives practical insight into filmmaking and the creative industry.
🕑: 02:00 PM
Industry Panel + Live Q&A
Info: Hear from working filmmakers, directors, producers and creative-industry professionals about career pathways, behind-the-scenes experiences and opportunities within the film industry.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions during our live Q&A.
🕑: 03:00 PM
Student Film Screenings + Awards
Info: Continue celebrating our student filmmakers with additional screenings and award recognitions.
🕑: 04:30 PM
Festival Concludes
Info: You can fill in the exact missing times from your master schedule.
Event venue & nearby stays
The Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh Street, Charlotte, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.