Karen Sadler, Bio
Executive Director, ARTLIFE

As the CEO of a successful New York City-based production company, Sadler was the first to exclusively develop and represent music video directors, creating a new niche in film and music industry history by curating a cache of young, talented visual tastemakers. Sadler worked to bring film and directorial talent to the forefront of the music video and commercial film industries and is responsible for the early music video career opportunities that launched directors (with selected current credits): Chuck Stone III Paid In Full, Drumline, "Whassup" Budweiser campaign; Brett Ratner Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2 and 3, The Red Dragon, After the Sunset, X-Men Last Stand, Prison Break, Tower Heist; Diane Martel Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake; Kevin Bray All About the Benjamins, Walking Tall, Jennifer Lopez, CSI-NY, Heroes, Burn Notice, Vampire Diaries, Suits; Millicent Shelton Bernie Mac Show, Everybody Hates Chris, Lincoln Heights, Leverage, Men of a Certain Age, 30 Rock; and mentored many more. Sadler also handled production for celebrity artists, such as, Queen Latifah and fashion mega-talent Todd Oldham in their music video directorial debuts. Sadler revolutionized the structure of film representation by focusing on emerging directors, music video and talent development, consistently producing film artists whose work rocketed to the top of the industry for over 10 years.

With the inception of her next two companies, Sadler’s entrepreneurial energy moved to the forefront of arts in education. In Jacksonville, Florida-based, ArtLife Productions/ArtLife World Studios, Sadler focuses on arts advocacy and provides a roster of arts and multicultural programming that implements academic initiatives and works closely with organizations, schools, and communities. ArtLife offers world-class programs for all ages and backgrounds in visual arts, dance, music, theater and film. ArtLife has served over 500,000 children and adults in the past ten years through assemblies, workshops and festivals.

In 2002, Sadler co-founded the Jacksonville Film Festival in Jacksonville, Florida. Followed in 2006, by FilmLab, a film arts resource and production company that provides educational opportunities with film industry professionals and promotes young filmmakers. Current projects include producing inclusive filmmaking camps with Director Joey Travolta for young people with developmental disabilities such as autism, in-school film artist residency programs, a student produced television show about teen filmmakers called Student ID, and a web-based center for film and financial literacy, FilmLabEDU.com. Next up for 2012, Sadler has founded a non-profit organization, World Arts Education with programs and sponsorship opportunities soon to be announced.

Sadler formerly of Montreal, Canada and New York City holds a degree in Fine Arts and Cinema, and currently resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Selected notes:

Mentor, It's HER Business, Teen Entrepreneur Conference

Small Business Development Center, Univ. of North Florida 2005-2011

Co-Founder, Jacksonville Film Festival, 2002

Board Member, Putumayo World Music Cross-Cultural Initiative, NY

Finalist, Florida Times-Union EVE Award for Volunteer Service, 2001

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