Glen Rock's Karen Wang Makes Film Festival Waves with Award-Winning Short, "The Pickup"

Filmmaker Karen Wang, a Glen Rock resident, is gaining national attention with her latest short film, The Pickup. Written, directed, and produced by Wang, the romantic comedy has made its way through the film festival circuit, earning awards and multiple official selections.

Wang is no stranger to independent film. Her past work includes the short films Sick, Separate Ways, and Wake Me Up, which won Best Short Screenplay at the Katra Film Series in 2022. Her script for The Pickup went on to win the same honor from the New York Screenwriting Awards in 2023. In addition to her creative work, Wang has served as a juror and curator for respected programs such as Tribeca All Access, the Sloan Filmmaker Fund, and Gotham Week’s Project Market.

The story in The Pickup follows a New York City school teacher who sets out one morning to collect items for her upcoming wedding. When she stops by the home of her former high school crush, the quick visit turns into an unexpected day-long journey. What begins as a simple catch-up leads to personal revelations and reflections on past choices, lost time, and what lies ahead.

Since premiering in April at the Independent Film Festival Boston, where it screened at the historic Somerville Theatre, The Pickup has continued to gain traction. In June, the film appeared at the Manhattan Film Festival, the Art of Brooklyn Film Festival, and the Golden Door International Film Festival in Jersey City, which was named one of the “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” by MovieMaker Magazine and the top festival in New Jersey by NJ Stage Magazine. The film also screened for audiences in early August at Festival of Cinema NYC in Forest Hills, Queens.

For those who can’t make it in person, The Pickup will be available to stream online from September 23 through 28 as part of the Richmond International Film Festival’s virtual lineup, , then again from October 9 through 12 as part of Hollywood Shortsfest's online competition.

Here in Glen Rock, community support for the film has been strong. Many residents helped fund the project, and their names appear in the credits. Local backers were also invited to a private screening in appreciation of their contributions. Wang credits her hometown for helping to bring the film to life.

“The support from Glen Rock has meant the world to me,” Wang said. “From neighbors who contributed to the campaign to friends who spread the word or offered encouragement, this community has shown up in a big way. It’s been deeply moving to feel that kind of hometown backing.”

The film was shot over one week in Brooklyn and faced a range of production challenges. There were multiple location changes, unpredictable weather, lost props, parking tickets, and other typical on-the-ground hurdles. Still, the team managed to pull it off. Reflecting on the experience, Wang said, “Every film that gets made is a miracle. This movie started out as just an idea in my head. And somehow, over the course of a few months, a number of brilliant minds helped shape it into something beautiful.”

With several screenings still ahead and more viewers discovering it each month, The Pickup continues to build momentum. For Glen Rock, the film is more than a creative success story. It’s also a reminder that big talent can grow in small towns, and that a community’s support can help make movie magic happen.