Cara Ogburn, artistic director at Milwaukee Film, leads the vision for the Milwaukee Film Festival and the organization’s year-round cinema programming.
Since she joined Milwaukee Film in 2013, Ogburn has been instrumental in the annual festival’s growth, according to Anne Reed, chief executive officer of Milwaukee Film.
“She was a key player in guiding the festival’s recovery from COVID, first with virtual and hybrid festivals, then returning to a fully in-person festival in 2024. Cara also leads Milwaukee Film’s educational initiatives, such as Take 1 Filmmaking Lab, teen-selected festival programming, educational screenings and curriculum, and in-school discussions.
Ogburn has served as a board member, secretary and president of the Film Festival Alliance since 2018.
“She is a national leader in her dedication to diverse programming, championing inclusive categories like Black Lens, Cine Sin Fronteras and GenreQueer as part of Milwaukee Film’s embrace of the full variety of stories film can express,” Reed said. “Her strategic vision has increased the festival’s appeal and relevance, ensuring that Milwaukee remains a key player on the national cinema scene.”
