Kozberg named Director of Nickelodeon Theatre

The Nickelodeon Theatre, South Carolina’s only non-profit art house cinema, names Alison Kozberg Director of the theater. Andy Smith will continue to lead the organization as CEO of the Columbia Film Society, the non-profit that oversees the Nick, and Seth Gadsden will continue to serve as Director of Indie Grits Labs. This announcement represents the culmination of a reorganization the Nickelodeon initiated in November of 2016 to accommodate growth of the organization.

As theater director, Kozberg will oversee the movie theater side of the organization, which includes Nickelodeon Theatre programming, marketing, finances and facilities. She will report to Andy Smith in this newly created role.

“Alison’s background and experience are going to be such an asset to the Nickelodeon,” said Smith. “Because our organization has grown to include so many media education programs and film series, as well as screening the best new independent films daily, we’ve expanded our staff and created this new role. Alison’s rich film knowledge will be an important contribution to the Nickelodeon’s programming while providing space and time to further develop our innovative Indie Grits Labs programming.”

Most recently, Kozberg served as Program Manager of the Moving Image for Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, where she managed all aspects of film programing for the contemporary art museum specializing in the exhibition of independent and alternative cinema. Before working at the Walker, Kozberg spearheaded strategic planning, programming and special projects for the Los Angeles Filmforum. She has also held positions at the Getty Research Institute, the University of Southern California and the Brattle Film Foundation/Brattle Theater. She holds a master of arts in cinematic arts from the University of Southern California bachelor of science in film & television from Boston University.

Of the new position Kozberg said, “I couldn’t be happier to be joining the team at the Nickelodeon and love the how adeptly the organization unites film exhibition with community engagement. As a firm believer in cinema’s important role in the arts, I am looking forward to helping shape the Nick’s incredible programming, enriching the organization’s presentation of historical and global cinemas and creating spaces for public dialogue and participation.”

Members of the Nickelodeon Theatre are invited to a special free screening of Nicholas Ray’s Bigger than Life preceded by Mark Toscano’s short film, Releasing Human Energies hosted by Kozberg on Tuesday, May 23 with a reception at 6 p.m. at the Nick. Spotted Salamander will provide bites for the event.

For more information on the Nickelodeon Theatre, please visit www.nickelodeon.org or follow the Nick on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.