2026 Awards Program Guide
Welcome to the Red Carpet Event!
We are thrilled to welcome you to the 2026 Folktellers for Literacy Kids Film Awards celebrating the incredible creativity of our young Tellerians! This magical evening brings together student filmmakers, their families, teachers, and the entire Folktellers community for a night of film, awards, and storytelling magic at the beautiful Emagine Royal Oak.
Event Program Itinerary
6:00 PM – Doors Open & Red Carpet Photos / Interviews
7:00 PM – Program Begins
7:01 PM – Film: Story of Us All
7:06 PM – Film: Folktellers for Literacy
7:08 PM – Film: Screen Contest Entries
7:35 PM – 2026 Awards Ceremony with MC Kurt David
8:10 PM – Private Premiere: Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook series – Phases of the Moon
8:25 PM – EMX Event Concludes
8:30 PM – 10:00 PM – Mingling & Meet the Judges, Hosts, and Cast of the Series
2026 Folktellers Film Awards Celebrity Judges
(In alphabetical order)
Terri Lee Chandler
Terri Lee (also known professionally as Terri Lee Chandler) is a Detroit-based film critic, journalist, and screenwriter who bridges entertainment coverage, independent filmmaking, and community-building through story. Known for her movie reviews on the CBS affiliate WWJ Newsradio 950 —Detroit’s only all-news radio station — she completed UCLA’s Professional Program in Screenwriting (Class of 2025) and the Los Angeles–based Plenty of Pie Production Accelerator. Terri is a member of the Critics Choice Association, the African American Film Critics Association, and SAG-AFTRA.
As a creative entrepreneur, Terri develops original projects across features, shorts, and series, and is the founder of The I See You Film Awards, an initiative created to spotlight independent filmmakers and emerging voices. She is also building a lifestyle-and-cinema brand, “Terri & Dexter,” celebrating the joy of film at home and the power of everyday storytelling.
Terri is honored to serve as a celebrity judge for Emagine Entertainment and Folktellers Studio’s new storytelling and literacy. She’s excited to support this initiative’s mission to strengthen literacy and creativity while giving students a fun, cinematic way to see their ideas come to life.
Paul Glantz
Paul Glantz is co-founder, now ambassador, of Emagine Entertainment Inc. and the driving force behind the development and operation of metro Detroit’s Emagine theatres. He serves as chief executive of Emagine Novi, Emagine Canton, Emagine Rochester Hills, Emagine Royal Oak, and Emagine Macomb.
Glantz has been at the forefront of technological change in the theatre industry, particularly the transition to high-definition digital presentation. Under his direction, Emagine became the first in the nation to convert all of its screens to high-definition digital imagery. The theatre chain also led the way in premium large format concept by introducing Dolby’s revolutionary Atmos sound systems to the Michigan marketplace.
Considered an expert in cinematic exhibition, Glantz has been quoted in numerous publications, including, Film Journal International, The International Herald Tribune and The New York Times.
R.J. King
R.J. King is the author of six books — “Detroit: Engine of America,” a gold medal recipient of the Midwest Book Awards; “Taboo,” a silver medal recipient of the Midwest Book Awards; “Grounds for Freedom: Saving Chernobyl,” a silver medal recipient of the Midwest Book Awards; “The First Mobile App,” a silver medal recipient of the Midwest Book Awards; “Passport to the Corner Office: The Starter’s Guide to Corporate Life;” and “Mystical.” He also owns the publishing company, Written in Detroit. In addition,
Mr. King is editor of DBusiness magazine, DBusiness Daily News, Hustle and Muscle, and Detroit 500, all of which cover companies in metro Detroit and Michigan that are expanding locally, nationally, or internationally. Since 2011, DBusiness magazine has been honored with 73 Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in the Editorial Excellence Awards from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers, including being named the top regional business magazine in the country.
Prior to launching DBusiness in 2006, Mr. King was a business writer for The Detroit News for 16 years, where he wrote more than 4,000 articles covering economic development, automotive, aerospace, health care, technology, and more. Mr. King is a board member of Beyond Basics, Detroit Public Safety Foundation, Visit Detroit, Detroit Aircraft Corp., Detroit Spacecraft Corp., and ASX. In addition, he serves on the Board of Trustees for The Parade Co. and Detroit Sessions. He is a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, and on the board of the DAC Executives Club and the DAC Car Club. Named a Knight of Woodward, he lives in the Boston-Edison Historic District in Detroit and is a member of the University of Michigan Alumni Association. In 2014, Mr. King was inducted into the International Heritage Foundation’s Heritage Hall of Fame (youngest recipient).
Carl Weyant
Carl Weyant is an American filmmaker and actor who has significantly shaped his career through Alliance Studios International, a production company he leads as CEO. Based in Michigan, the studio serves as his creative hub for developing "transformative narratives" that bridge the gap between high-end cinematic artistry and spiritual depth. Under this banner, Weyant has moved beyond acting to oversee the entire lifecycle of a film—from financing and development to global distribution—with a specific mission to produce faith-based and purpose-driven content that resonates with a modern audience.
Through Alliance Studios International, Weyant has recently spearheaded several ambitious projects, including the 2025 period drama Harsens Island Revenge and the upcoming film Hold It Now!!! (2026). The company frequently collaborates with partner studios like Collective Development Inc. to revitalize the independent film landscape in the Midwest. By focusing on high-concept storytelling and "higher purpose" themes, Weyant uses the studio to champion projects that align with family values while maintaining the production quality of mainstream commercial cinema.
Thank You for Supporting Children’s Literacy
Thank you so much for supporting the Folktellers for Literacy program. Your generous donation is making a meaningful difference by helping children improve their reading skills and discover the joy of books and film making.