SXSW Interview | “Them That’s Not” with Director, Mekhai Lee

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Mekhai Lee to discuss his powerful short film Them That’s Not, which screened at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival.

Lee shares the inspiration behind the film, the personal experiences that shaped the story, and the challenges of telling an intimate narrative about grief, identity, and family connection. We also dive into the craft behind the film — from its emotional performances and use of sound to its exploration of deaf and queer identity within family dynamics.

Join us as we talk about the creative journey of bringing Them That’s Not to life and what it means to tell deeply human stories through short-form cinema.

Short Film Description

Them That’s Not is an intimate short drama following Drea, a struggling deaf poet who returns home after the death of her grandmother. Surrounded by a family that struggles to understand her world, she feels isolated during a gathering meant to bring everyone together.

When her estranged father—temporarily released from prison to attend the funeral—arrives unexpectedly, the two are forced to confront years of distance, grief, and unresolved emotions. Through quiet moments and raw performances, the film explores themes of family, identity, reconciliation, and the search for connection.

Director Bio

Mekhai Lee is a filmmaker, writer, and director from Charlotte, North Carolina. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ drama program, he began his career as an actor, performing in professional productions including the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. 

Lee is the writer and director of the award-winning short film Them That’s Not, which premiered at NewFest Pride and went on to screen at festivals including the Chicago International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Hugo Award for Best Live Action Short. 

He is also a member of The Half Initiative Director Program and served as a Director Fellow on HBO’s series Succession. Lee’s work focuses on character-driven storytelling that explores identity, grief, and human connection.