FACETS FILM FORUM ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AND PREPARES FOR NATIONAL SEARCH
FACETS Film Forum announced today that Executive Director Karen Cardarelli has decided to step down from her role, concluding six years of bold leadership that brought renewed vibrancy, artistic innovation, and community engagement to the organization. Cardarelli will stay on through the summer to allow time for a robust national search for her replacement.
During her tenure, Cardarelli helped steer FACETS through a pivotal era marked by artistic reinvention, operational strengthening, and a recommitment to the organization’s founding values. Working side by side with a talented and dedicated staff, she championed a renewed approach to social cinema that brought audiences together through interactive, conversation-driven programming. Under her leadership, FACETS saw cinema attendance quadruple, evolving into a gathering place that once again anchors Chicago’s independent film landscape.
Following the passing of FACETS’ visionary founder, Milos Stehlik, Cardarelli assumed the role during a period of profound transition. “Milos built FACETS as a home for discovery, empathy, and connection. Karen honored that legacy while also ushering in a new era of innovation and vitality. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and the foundation she leaves for what comes next,” said FACETS Board Co-Chair Tamara Bohorquez.
Over the past six years, Cardarelli, working hand in hand with an engaged Board and highly creative staff, expanded FACETS’ artistic and community footprint, reimagined youth and family programs, elevated creative collaboration, and established the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals, which now connects over 40 festivals across the region. This collective effort culminated in a year-long 50th anniversary celebration, a milestone that honored FACETS’ indelible impact while signaling a bold path forward.
“FACETS is an essential hub for filmmakers, festival organizers, and cinephiles—not only in Chicago but across the country. Karen’s work expanding partnerships, strengthening the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals, and championing independent cinema has elevated the entire sector. Undoubtedly, Chicago’s film community is stronger today,” said FACETS Board Co-Chair Rich Moskal. “FACETS is remarkably poised for an exciting next chapter.”
“Leading FACETS has been one of the great privileges of my professional career. Every day, I felt the presence of Milos’s vision and the passion of the staff and community who sustain this organization’s spirit. I am incredibly proud of what we have built together—from reimagining how people gather around film to expanding opportunities for young storytellers. While it is the right time for me to step back and support my family through some health issues, my admiration for FACETS and my excitement for its future have never been stronger. I look forward to cheering on the next era of this extraordinary organization,” said FACETS Executive Director Karen Cardarelli.
In the coming months Cardarelli will continue the work of helping to organize efforts for the Independent Exhibitors Conference that will welcome Film Festivals and Art House Cinemas from all over the country to Chicago June 22-25, 2026. The conference is co-produced by Film Festival Alliance and Art House Convergence with a great deal of local support including Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals and its members.
Cardarelli will continue in her national arts leadership role as Board President of the Film Festival Alliance, a position she will maintain after her transition.
“FACETS has long been a cornerstone of Chicago’s independent film community, nurturing emerging voices and championing global storytelling. Under Karen Cardarelli’s leadership, the organization has expanded access and strengthened connections across the film sector. As Chicago’s industry continues to grow, FACETS remains an essential partner in building a vibrant and inclusive media ecosystem. We wish FACETS continued success in its next chapter and look forward to further elevating Chicago as a world-class hub for film and creative production,” said Deputy Commissioner Natasha Parker Olguin of the Chicago Film Office.
With Cardarelli’s planned transition, the FACETS Board has engaged Maneva Group to lead the national search for the organization’s next Executive Director—an inspiring, entrepreneurial leader who can marry artistic vision with organizational stewardship.
About FACETS Film Forum
Founded in 1975, FACETS Film Forum is a nationally recognized center for independent, international, and retrospective film. Through screenings, education programs, filmmaker events, and community partnerships, FACETS curates cinematic experiences that deepen human connections and expand perspectives. FACETS is home to a 50,000-title film library, robust youth programming, the Chicago Alliance of Film Festivals, and a historic cinema dedicated to presenting global storytelling in an accessible and community-centered environment. More information is available at facets.org.