Wisconsin Film Festival director to depart for private sector

The director of the Wisconsin Film Festival will be leaving her post on Friday, Oct. 7 for opportunities in the private sector in Madison.

Mary Carbine has been at the helm of the festival, a public program of the UW–Madison Arts Institute, since 1999.

“I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to accomplish many goals, and to work with so many talented and dedicated people, including filmmakers, audience members, university and community sponsors whose contributions have made the festival such a success,” she says. “I also am very pleased that the festival has achieved financial stability and recognition in the film industry and the community.”

Carbine adds that she will work with the Arts Institute to insure a smooth transition and to lay the groundwork for the continued success of the festival.

After graduating from the UW–Madison with an M.A. (1988) and B.A. (1986) in communication arts, Carbine began her career at the UW–Madison Center for Film and Theater Research, housed in the Department of Communication Arts. In addition to her six years directing the Wisconsin Film Festival, her resume includes work for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the University of Chicago Film Studies Center, Wisconsin Public Television, the American Film Institute and more.

Arts Institute Executive Director Susan C. Cook says the 2006 film festival will go on as planned Thursday, March 30-Sunday, April 2.

“The Arts Institute has not yet identified anyone to serve as an interim festival director – Mary’s shoes will be hard to fill. She has been central to the success of the festival, and has established important connections throughout Madison, the state of Wisconsin and nationwide. We hope to continue to foster them all,” Cook says.

The 2006 festival marks the eighth year of the event. The 2005 edition, which drew an estimated 24,000 people, featured more than 150 films from 27 countries, including 60 with Wisconsin ties. Sixty university and community organizations were involved as sponsors and partners. Carbine says that the festival resulted in an economic impact for Madison of some $363,000.