There’s always a story.
Born and raised in the Midwest, Carol grew up telling stories through plays, comic books, music, and her grandmother’s VHS camcorder.
After earning her film BFA from UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts in 2014, she has gone on to produce multiple short and feature films, all of which she directs, produces, and edits.
Carol wrote and directed her first feature, Things Found on the Ground, at the age of 20.
The film had its world premiere at the New Orleans Film Festival in 2013.
Her award-winning fourth feature, Pet Names, premiered at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival and has screened at festivals across the globe, garnering glowing reviews and comparisons to Kelly Reichardt.
PRESS
2024
“PREMIERE: Warm Human Releases Music Video For Hamartia Title Track”, Paste Magazine, October 2024 (READ)
Vassilis Economou: “The Finnish Film Affair unveils a range of bold projects and showcases ‘Finnish Weird’”. Cineuropa, September 2024 (READ)
Valerie Complex: “‘Pink Moon’: Blu Del Barrio Joins Cast Of Carol Brandt’s Queer Heist Drama”, Deadline, May 2024 (READ)
2023
Brianna Schubert: “Film Fest Finds: ‘The Milwaukee Show I’”, Milwaukee Magazine, April 2023 (READ)
2019
Wisconsin Public Television: “Director’s Cut: Carol Brandt, Pet Names” Wisconsin Public Television, May 2019 (WATCH)
Kailee Andrews: “Podcast: The humor and humanity of Carol Brandt's films”, Tone Madison, March 2019 (LISTEN)
2018
Mary Louise Schumacher: “As Milwaukee Film Festival opens, homegrown director Carol Brandt's entry picks up buzz”, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, October 2018 (READ)
Josh Hand: “Brew City Conversations: Milwaukee Filmmaker Carol Brandt”, On Milwaukee, May 2018 (LISTEN)
Robert Sims: “Interview: Carol Brandt, director, ‘Pet Names’”, Lights, Camera, Austin (Radio Interview), March 2018 (LISTEN)
Liz Nord: “'Pet Names': How Carol Brandt Packed a Dramatic Punch Into a 4:3 Frame”, NoFilmSchool, March 2018 (READ)
Chris Foran: “2 Milwaukee filmmakers get their close-up at Sundance, SXSW film festivals”, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 2018 (READ)
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Winner | Audience Award — “WHEREVER YOU ARE, THERE YOU GO”
REEL RECOVERY FILM FESTIVAL
Special Mention | Cream City Cinema Jury Award — “RIP”
MILWAUKEE FILM FESTIVAL
2023
Winner | Brico Forward Fund Grant — “PINK MOON”
MILWAUKEE FILM FESTIVAL
2022
2019
Included | Thrillest’s Best Music Videos of 2019 — “DOWN: WARM HUMAN”
thrillist
2018
World Premiere — “PET NAMES”
south by southwest
Nominee | SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award — “PET NAMES”
south by southwest
Nominee | SXSW Gamechanger Award — “PET NAMES”
south by southwest
Nominee | Gold Bison Award — “PET NAMES”
buffalo film festival
Winner | Best Narrative Feature — “PET NAMES”
bendfilm festival
Winner | Best Narrative Feature — “PET NAMES”
Weyauwega international film festival
Winner | Cream City Cinema Jury Award — “PET NAMES”
milwaukee film festival
Winner | Brico Forward Fund Grant — “PINK MOON”
milwaukee film festival
Winner | Best Narrative Feature — “DEAR COWARD ON THE MOON”
Frozen film festival
Winner | Best Narrative Feature — “DEAR COWARD ON THE MOON”
weyauwega international film festival
Winner | Brico Forward Fund Grant — “PET NAMES”
milwaukee film festival
2017
2014
Winner | Best Wisconsin Film — “GIVE IT UP FOR THE GIRL”
milwaukee short film festival
2013
Winner | Audience Award — “THINGS FOUND ON THE GROUND”
beloit international film festival
World Premiere — “THINGS FOUND ON THE GROUND”
new orleans film festival
