Podtalk: Exec Director Karen Cardarelli of FACETS on 2024 So Far

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CHICAGO – It’s been an exciting year so far for the gem of film exhibition, FACETS Cinema in Chicago’s DePaul Neighborhood. And spearheading that excitement is Executive Director Karen Cardarelli, who began in that position in the pandemic year of 2020 and has shepherded FACET’s growth and new programming, in addition to becoming a leader in Chicago’s film scene.

Karen Caradelli connected to FACETS through her role as the co-founder of Emerald City Theatre in 1996, a theater that focused on developing the stage for children, including an outreach to Chicago Public School students. In her tenure so far, she has guided FACETS through the crucial period of the pandemic challenges, and has emerged in progressing both the physical film theater space on Fullerton Avenue in Chicago – which was founded in 1975 by the late iconic film scholar Milos Stehlik – and the cinema community in the Windy City.

Karen Cardarelli, Executive Director of FACETS
Photo credit: FACETS.org

As a leader, Karen and FACETS are involved currently in launching the CHICAGO ALLIANCE OF FILM FESTIVALS (CAFF). The Alliance seeks to aid Chicago-area film festivals through sector building efforts focused on expanding audience, resources and expertise. The website association with CAFF just launched last month, for a full report click CHICAGO SCREENS.

Upcoming at FACETS are (click links) ANIME CLUB PRESENTS, BIG TEETH SMALL SHORTS FEST, SPEAKEASY CINEMA and the opportunity as always to BECOME A MEMBER.

In a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, FACETS Executive Director Karen Cadarelli talks what’s happening now …

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Critic/Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com