Caroline von Kühn Joins The San Francisco Film Society as Director, Documentary & New Media Program

CAROLINE VON KÜHN JOINS SAN FRANCISCO FILM SOCIETY AS DIRECTOR OF DOCUMENTARY AND NEW MEDIA PROGRAMS

Festival and Industry Leader to Enhance Organization's Filmmaker Support Programs with Special Concentration on Nonfiction and New Media

The San Francisco Film Society has announced the appointment of Caroline von Kühn as Director, Documentary & New Media Program, effective November 1, 2016. 

"Caroline brings a unique range of experience in the film world and an infectious energy to everything she does," said Noah Cowan, SF Film Society Executive Director. "She is the perfect leader for our rapidly growing documentary and VR artist support programs and a phenomenal addition to our overall programming team."

Caroline von Kühn is one of the founders of the Points North Institute, the recently launched nonfiction film and media incubator and producer of the Camden International Film Festival (CIFF), among the leading documentary festivals in the country. Von Kühn is also the producer of Burn Country (also known as The Fixer), a Tribeca Film Festival prizewinner and SF Film Society-supported feature film starring Melissa Leo and James Franco. Von Kühn's career includes a significant contribution to the Tribeca Enterprises organization, as a Film Festival publicist, head of the Industry office and industry panel producer at Doha Tribeca Film Festival (Qatar). She also programmed the launch of the crowd-sourced funding and distribution platform Seed & Spark with the team behind her first film as a producer and director, Like the Water. Von Kühn was a 2016 IFP Cannes Producers Network Fellow, and received her BA in Financial Economics from University of Virginia and an MFA from University of Manchester (UK).

"I could not be more thrilled to be joining the San Francisco Film Society and their great commitment to supporting emerging artists," said von Kühn. "I am deeply honored to serve this impressive legacy, furthering the organization's work to champion important documentary and new media artists, especially at such an exciting time in our field and in the rich creative landscape of the Bay Area."

San Francisco Film Society's artist support programs offer unique opportunities and significant resources to filmmakers nationwide, with an emphasis on fostering peer mentorship and career sustainability. Through its long-term partnership with the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, the Film Society is the largest granting body for independent narrative (dramatic) feature films in the United States, allocating as much as $1 million per year to incubate and support innovative and exceptional films at every stage of production, create innovative residencies for Bay Area artists, and develop special fellowships for underserved artist communities. Other programs include a growing Documentary Film Fund granting program for nonfiction feature films in postproduction, Off the Page screenplay workshops, fiscal sponsorship, and project development resources. For information visit sffs.org/filmmaker360.

San Francisco Film Society
The San Francisco Film Society champions the world's finest films and filmmakers through programs anchored in and inspired by the spirit and values of the San Francisco Bay Area. Building on a legacy of nearly 60 years of bringing the best in world cinema to the local audiences, SFFS is now a national leader in film exhibition, media education and filmmaker services.
 
The Film Society presents more than 100 days of exhibition each year, reaching a total audience of more than 100,000 people. Its acclaimed education program introduces international, independent and documentary cinema and media literacy to more than 10,000 teachers and students. Through Filmmaker360, the Film Society's filmmaker services program, essential creative and business services, and funding totaling millions of dollars are provided to deserving filmmakers at all stages of their careers.
 
The Film Society seeks to elevate all aspects of film culture, offering a wide range of activities that engage emotions, inspire action, change perceptions and advance knowledge. A 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, it is largely donor and member supported. Membership provides access to discounts, private events and a wealth of other benefits.

For more information visit sffs.org