Black Flag Pictures — a production company co-owned by Christian Potts and Taylor Wilcheck — is making waves in the film industry with its award-winning short film Surreal. The Owensboro-based duo launched the company to pursue passion projects alongside their professional video work.
Surreal has been recognized at several film festivals, including finalist honors at the Hercules International Film Festival and semifinalist status at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival. It was also selected for the Widescreen Film Festival and the Golden Film Festival in France.
“Submitting to film festivals can be costly, with fees ranging from $100 to $500 per entry,” Potts said. “We’ve had to be strategic about choosing which festivals to enter, but seeing our work recognized on a global stage makes it worth it.”
Black Flag Pictures was born from a shared love of filmmaking and a desire to break traditional rules, Potts said. He added that the company name draws inspiration from pirate symbolism to represent their boundary-pushing approach to storytelling.
“We started as a joke when Taylor suggested making a movie,” Potts said. “I called his bluff, and next thing we knew, we were making Surreal. We brought in a volunteer crew, including people with no prior film experience, and created a space for them to learn about sound, makeup, and other aspects of production.”
Filmed largely in Owensboro and Daviess County, Surreal is a thriller that marks the team’s debut film. Potts said the local film community’s collaborative spirit has been essential to their success.
“There are so many production companies in Owensboro, and what’s really special is how much we collaborate,” Potts said. “It’s not about competition — we’re great about working together and lifting each other up.”
Looking ahead, Potts and Wilcheck aim to capitalize on Kentucky’s film production tax credit, which has drawn other projects to the region.
“We want to keep pushing ourselves and expanding what we do,” Potts said. “The goal is to tell stories that resonate with people while continuing to build a thriving film community here in Owensboro.”
As for what’s next, Black Flag Pictures is already planning new projects and exploring opportunities to showcase their work. For now, Potts said they’re focused on refining their craft and making the most of the creative energy within the community.
Click here to learn more about Black Flag Pictures.
