Courtesy of The California Film Institute<\/p>\n
The California Film Institute (CAFILM) has named Rose Kuo as Artistic Director, a newly created leadership position established earlier this year to guide the organization\u2019s artistic vision and ensure a seamless program leadership transition in the years ahead.<\/p>\n
Kuo is an internationally recognized leader in cinematic arts with a broad background in film festival programming and curatorial work. She previously served as Executive Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the New York Film Festival, was Publisher of\u00a0Film Comment<\/i>\u00a0magazine, and held the position of Artistic Director at AFI FEST (AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival).<\/p>\n
In her new role, Kuo will oversee the artistic and curatorial direction of CAFILM\u2019s acclaimed programs, including the\u00a0Mill Valley Film Festival<\/b>,\u00a0DocLands Documentary Film Festival<\/b>, the\u00a0Smith Rafael Film Center<\/b>\u00a0in San Rafael, the\u00a0Sequoia Cinema<\/b>\u00a0in Mill Valley, and\u00a0CAFILM Education<\/b>\u00a0initiatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cRose brings a remarkable combination of international experience, artistic vision, and deep commitment to the cinematic arts,\u201d said\u00a0Mark Fishkin<\/b>, CAFILM Founder and Executive Director. \u201cHer leadership will ensure that CAFILM continues to champion independent voices, engage audiences, and inspire the next generation of filmmakers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/ins>\n Most recently, Kuo founded\u00a0FESTWORKS<\/b>, a film consultancy organization, where she has advised major studios on global festival strategies and collaborated with nonprofit cinema arts groups to strengthen their programming and audience engagement.<\/p>\n Earlier in her career, Kuo worked as a programmer and curator for leading film festivals and cultural institutions, including the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the San Francisco International Film Festival, and the Mill Valley Film Festival \u2014 a return that underscores her deep connection to CAFILM\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n CAFILM announced earlier this year that longtime Mill Valley Film Festival Program Director Zoe Elton will transition to a new part-time curatorial role after leading the 48th Mill Valley Film Festival, scheduled for October 2-12, 2025. Kuo and Elton will work together to ensure a smooth transition of the festival\u2019s curatorial responsibilities, maintaining the quality of films and patron experiences, including the Mind the Gap gender equity initiative that Elton championed ten years ago.<\/p>\n