On the eve of its 50th anniversary, Kartemquin Films is in the throes of many changes, one of the most significant being the appointment of Betsy Steinberg as its new executive director.
Steinberg, the popular former director of the Illinois Film Office, begins her new position Dec. 1. She succeeds Justine Nagan, who joined American Documentary Inc. (AmDoc) as executive director after more than a decade with Kartemquin.
In her new position, Steinberg will serve as executive producer on all new films — currently more than 12 in progress — oversee all aspects of Kartemquin filmmaking, fundraising and development, and manage the operations of its 16 person staff.
The new executive director was chosen from a large number of impressively qualified candidates, by a committee of the 14-member board of directors.
“Of all the candidates,” says new board chairman Jason Stephens, “Betsy immediately demonstrated the ethics and passion we know Kartemquin needs.
“We’re confident she’ll lead the staff and filmmakers to meet the challenges ahead while maintaining the values we have represented for five decades.”
Steinberg led the IFO from 2008-2015, having left earlier this year with the change of state administration. During her IFO tenure, the number of media and entertainment projects produced in the state dramatically increased. Revenues grew to more than a billion dollars and created thousands of jobs.
Mark Hogan, business manager of Local 476, who teamed with Steinberg in their many sales calls on Los Angeles studio executives, says, “I am very excited that Kartemquin brought Betsy aboard, at this significant point in their growth. She is energetic, knowledgeable, very well liked and will take Kartemquin to new heights.”
Prior to the Illinois Film Office, Steinberg had been Towers Productions VP/business development, following 15 years as a filmmaker on political and issue advocacy campaigns, to documentaries and commercials.
“I am honored to be joining Kartemquin and am inspired by its mission and the artistic integrity of its filmmakers,” says Steinberg.
“I hope to build on the tremendous accomplishments of Gordon and Justine as Kartemquin enters its fiftieth year and beyond.”
