More than four decades ago, a world-renowned legacy in documentary filmmaking known as Kartemquin Films began. Since its first film, Home for Life, the indie filmmakers have chronicled the intimate moments of people’s lives. They’ve developed a reputation for taking a long-view look – sometimes, over many years – to get at the essence of a story. Their style has won them numerous awards over the years for their 1996 documentary Hoop Dreams, produced by Steve James and, most recently, a Peabody for the film Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita. But, despite all their success, they aren’t being complacent – they’re adapting to the changing media landscape. Filmmaker Justine Nagan was recently tapped to become the new Executive Director of Kartemquin Films, while co-founder Gordon Quinn has moved into the role of Creative Director.

Kartemquin co-founder Gordon Quinn will speak this Saturday and Sunday at several IFP Chicago Producers’ Series discussions taking place at IFP Chicago. The award-winning Kartemquin film Milking the Rhino airs nationally on PBS’s Independent Lens and locally on WTTW at 10pm on Tuesday, April 7th.

Music Button: Chris Joss, “Tune Down”, from the CD Sticks, (ESL records)