From DIY Web Series to Studio-Supported Cinema | Them That's Not

from Film Festival Friends · host Brandon R. Nicholas

DescriptionIn this episode of Film Festival Friends, Brandon Nick sits down with filmmaker Mekhai Lee to talk about his short film Them That’s Not and the leap from DIY web series to studio-supported filmmaking. Mekhai shares how grief and spiritual guidance shaped the film’s origin about a grieving queer woman, which he made for $20k film after winning NewFest x Concord Sound and Scene grant. The conversation also explores the differences between making "popular" work vs "reputable" work and what it means to grow as a Black queer filmmaker in the festival circuit.And of course, Mekhai's take on 60-second pitch where Teyana Taylor uses a magic timepiece to save Tom Holland's life.ABOUT THEM THAT'S NOT: A prison furlough brings an estranged father and his distant daughter together at their mother's repass.ABOUT FFF:Film Festival Friends is a podcast about queer cinema, craft, and culture. Hosted by Brandon Nick. Full show notes and transcript available on our website: www.brandonnick.com/filmfestivalfriendsFOLLOW + CONNECTPodcast IG: www.instagram.com/filmfestivalfriendsHost IG (Brandon R. Nicholas): www.instagram.com/brand0nnickGuest (Mekhai Lee): www.instagram.com/lifeofkhaiii__/WATCH / LISTENWatch the full episodes (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-N87lnMjPV2yRkXz5uO9eIdJSZfzRh83Listen on Spotify (video): https://open.spotify.com/show/4QXQgQGdDoE627BJmW82l0Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/film-festival-friends/id1875343325SUPPORT THE SHOW If you want to help keep the cameras rolling and the conversations flowing:Patreon: www.patreon.com/cw/brand0nnick or make a one-time donation via CashApp/Venmo @brand0nnickShare Film Festival Friends with your friends!Take the conversation to social media using #FilmFestivalFriendsCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome01:56 Turning Grief Into Story05:26 Winning the NewFest x Concord Grant09:01 Casting a Deaf-Led Queer Short14:02 From DIY Series to Studio-Supported Cinema24:39 What the Festival Circuit Has Taught Him35:42 Editing, Collaboration, and Cutting Scenes52:50 “Black Queer Film Is Explorative”55:55 Teyana Taylor, Tom Holland, and a Magical Wristwatch

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This episode is 45 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 18, 2026.

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