IU Cinema director candidates to speak

After reviewing resumes from around the world, IU officials have narrowed the search for IU Cinema’s new director to four candidates.

But before a final decision is made, the finalists must win public approval with presentations during the next two weeks.

Greg Waller, professor of communication and culture, said a search committee appointed by Provost Karen Hanson released an international advertisement for the position in August.

The director will be in charge of programming, management, student relations and fundraising for the new Cinema, which will be completed and open in fall 2010.

“It’s a high-level position,”  Waller said. “We solicit opinions from everyone who comes to listen to the candidates and present the information to the provost who makes the decision.”

Speeches began Thursday at the Indiana Memorial Union. Julia Gibbs, who is currently assistant director of the University of Chicago’s Film Studies
Center, unveiled potential plans for the IU Cinema before a crowd of students, faculty members and film lovers in the Indiana Memorial Union State Room East.

“I feel honored to be part of this important and distinctive development on your campus,” she said.

Gibbs said that the Cinema could house a wide range of film festivities, from an evening dedicated to French filmmakers to a Coen brothers showcase festival.

“One of my childhood dreams was to run a cinema,” she said. “I’m increasingly interested in programming, which means discerning huge amounts of film content today, thinking about messages in the works and delivering them in a way that makes sense to viewers.”

Following her 15-minute presentation, Gibbs answered audience inquiries concerning international film use, fundraising, generating student interest and promotional tactics.

“I like that the theater department is trying to stimulate interest,” graduate student Josh Coonrad said of the director selection process. “I’m going to watch the presentations, see what people have to offer and go from there. They’re being very active in asking for our feedback.”

Waller said the director will be selected after the last candidate’s presentation.

“We’re delighted to be in this stage,” he said. “This is an extraordinary project that gets more exciting with each step.”