As it gears up for a busy awards season, Mubi has hired veteran publicity executive VJ Carbone as VP of communications in the U.S..
Under his role at Mubi, Carbone will oversee publicity for the company’s U.S. film campaigns and expanding U.S. presence. He will be based in the New York office and will report to Sophie Rhatigan, Mubi’s senior VP of communications for global.
Mubi recently released Lynne Ramsay’s psychological thriller “Die My Love” starring Jennifer Lawrence whose electric performance opposite Robert Pattinson has been critically lauded. The movie world premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, went on to play at festivals around the world, and is now being touted by Mubi as a strong contender in the awards race, especially for the best actress category. Earlier this month, Mubi received nine Gotham Awards nominations, and 24 BIFA nominations (with Akinola Davies Jr’s “My Father’s Shadow,” a Mubi release, emerging as a frontrunner). The company is also behind the four films leading nominations at the European Film Awards with Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value,” Oliver Laxe’s “Sirat,” Masha Schilinski’s “Sound of Falling” and Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident.”
“We are thrilled to welcome VJ to Mubi,” said Rhatigan. “His experience, reputation, and passion for cinema make him an excellent addition to our team at a moment when supporting strong independent storytelling matters more than ever,” the executive continued.
Carbone, who was most recently a consultant at Amazon MGM Studios where he led campaigns on “Bones and All,” “Challengers” and “Boys in the Boat,” said he was “honored to join the remarkable Mubi team.”
“I’ve dedicated my career to championing great films and filmmakers, and I’m excited to bring my experience to the work ahead and to help amplify the voices, projects, and vision that make Mubi so special,” he continued.
Prior to his time at Amazon MGM Studios, Carbone spent a combined 14 years at Focus Features, working on such titles as “Brokeback Mountain,” “The Constant Gardener,” “Atonement,” “Somewhere,” “Moonrise Kingdom” and “Downtown Abbey.” He is the co-founder of the Asbury Park Film Initiative, a non-profit film-based organization promoting culture, education and diversity.
Mubi’s theatrical releases in the U.S. this year include Paolo Sorrentino’s “La Grazia” starring Toni Servillo, who won the Coppa Volpi Prize for best actor at Venice, and Jim Jarmusch’s “Father Mother Sister Brother,” which won the Golden Lion Venice.