CINE: 2010 Board of Directors

Lauren Cardillo, CINE Treasurer, Fusilli Flims

Lauren Cardillo, CINE Treasurer and President of Fusilli Films, is an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work on subjects ranging from the world’s longest footrace across the Sahara desert to the history of gold has earned national recognition. Her ability to tell compelling stories creatively has earned National News and Documentary Emmy Awards, Telly, CableAce, Chris and Gracie Awards, as well as several CINE Golden Eagles. Cardillo co-produced PBS' Stand Up: Muslim American Comics Come of Age. It premiered at Silverdocs. Her PBS documentary, The Mother Road, starring Lauren and her Mom, took the classic road trip on a different path: Their mother-daughter drive down Route 66 is a journey not just down a national landmark, but through time’s barriers and across the generations. The Golden Eagle winner received a Gracie Award as well, was presented at the Sundance Independent Producers Conference, and reached 90% of the public television market. Formerly a Senior Producer for National Geographic’s Explorer Series and producer at CNN, Cardillo has worked with MTV, VH1 and HBO. Cardillo’s career began, with “On a Wing and a Prayer”, a film she produced about Amelia Earhart as a student in Stanford University’s Graduate Documentary Film Program. It aired on WNET and is still in distribution, demonstrating the longevity of well-told stories.
www.themotherroad.tv

Why do you think filmmaking (or tv or new media) is important?
Because we get to tell stories of love, life, war, peace, and downright stupidity and silliness to viewers. There is no better job.

Why do you think CINE is important?
Because it has a long history of honoring emerging and establishing filmmakers and of defining American media to others internationally. and it has the best darn award statute in the world.

What advice would you give to someone beginning in the industry now?
I would run screaming from the room. but if you must make films, tv shows, internet content, or podcasts, make sure you do it with passion and conviction. also knock on every door, network until you can't talk anymore, learn all you can, and take any gig to start with. there are easier ways to make a buck. but none more satisfying or exciting.