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
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 | Brico Forward Fund Grant
MILWAUKEE FILM FESTIVAL
2022
2019
Included | Thrillest’s Best Music Videos of 2019
thrillist
2018
World Premiere
south by southwest
Nominee | SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award
south by southwest
Nominee | SXSW Gamechanger Award
south by southwest
Nominee | Gold Bison Award
buffalo film festival
Winner | Best Narrative Feature
bendfilm festival
Winner | Best Narrative Feature
Weyauwega international film festival
Winner | Cream City Cinema Jury Award
milwaukee film festival
Winner | Brico Forward Fund Grant
milwaukee film festival
Winner | Best Narrative Feature
Frozen film festival
Winner | Best Narrative Feature
weyauwega international film festival
Winner | Brico Forward Fund Grant
milwaukee film festival
2017
2014
Winner | Best Wisconsin Film
milwaukee short film festival
2013
Winner | Audience Award
beloit international film festival
World Premiere
new orleans film festival
