Here's who Carmel hired to lead its new film and music festival

An executive director with no apparent background in the film or music industries was hired to lead Carmel's new week-long film and music festival.

But city officials are leaning on the new director's fundraising, event planning and leadership experience to get the job done.

Mary "Dubbie" Buckler, who served on the board of Carmel's Downtown City Center Development Corporation, will serve as the film and music festival's executive director. Jana Hymes, who is the Carmel Symphony Orchestra music director, will be the film and music festival's music and artistic director. 

Both will be paid, but Dan McFeely, a spokesperson for the city, said their salaries have yet to be determined. 

McFeely told IndyStar Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard chose Buckler for the position based on her experience in executive leadership and fundraising. She has managed nonprofits and has experienced in event management, program development, customer service and volunteer service.

It's unclear whether Buckler has any film industry connections. IndyStar has requested an interview with Buckler. 

Buckler, the former national secretary and executive director of the American Legion Auxiliary, currently sits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans’ family, caregiver, and survivor advisory committee, according to her LinkedIn page.

She was the CEO of both the Y-ME IND Breast Cancer Organization and the Indiana Assisted Living Federation of America, and served as the Marion County treasurer for eight years in the '90s. 

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In October, the city approved $50,000 as seed funding from its 2020 budget for the Community Relations and Economic Development department to create a nonprofit to run the festival. Earlier this month, Nancy Heck, the city's director of community relations and economic development, told the city council board members for the nonprofit were chosen.

The festival's board members are Rob Bush, who is the former CEO of Orchard Software; Miriam Dant, Dant Advocacy president; and former city councilor Ron Carter, Heck said.

Dates for the festival are set for May 14-22, 2021. A name for the festival has not yet been released. 

IndyStar reached out to a handful of film and music festival organizers who said fundraising (often millions of dollars), research, the right industry connections, and publicity are keys to success in a crowded field to attract major film directors and screenings.

Heck said the event would highlight music by the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, feature outdoor concerts, an educational component, major movie studio film screenings, panel discussions with film crews and directors, and an experience similar to that of the SXSW Music and Film festival in Austin and the Spoleto USA music festival in South Carolina. 

Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at (317) 432-9270. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.

IndyStar reporter Natalia Contreras writes about things to do and development in Hamilton County. She can be reached at (317) 444-6187 or natalia.contreras@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter, @NataliaECG