NewEnglandFilm.com

Carter Long was born and bred by film lovers, who specifically favored indie and foreign genres. He came of age appreciating classics such as A Clockwork Orange and 2001: A Space Odyssey. His latest tastes lean toward contemporary Japanese cinema, which he hopes to introduce to new audiences later this year.

In March, Long was named film curator at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The previous director, Bo Smith, led the program from within Museum Learning and Public Programs. Shifting leadership into a curatorial position is one of many changes within the film program, and within the museum at large.

Long came to the MFA in 2004 after completing his graduate degree in critical film theory. He started in a modest position in ticket sales, worked his way up through visitor services to admissions manager, when a job opened in the film program. Now he’s responsible for the museum’s entire film repertoire, including daily screenings and 10 annual festivals. While he sees great potential in the museum’s major renovation plans, he said, “The film program is strong already, with great annual film festivals that serve as the backbone of programming.”

Long said there are no renovations planned for Remis Auditorium, where films currently screen. However a new auditorium is set to open in late 2010, which Long described as a “beautiful and intimate venue that will open up a lot more opportunities for exhibiting films.”

At age 29, he is possibly one of the MFA’s youngest curators. And while he remains committed to the program’s existing viewer base, he’d like to draw in more college students. “The museum is in a unique place geographically; [it’s] essentially a huge college campus, which creates a great built-in audience,” he said. Yet, he added that the current MFA film program is under college students’ radar.

One way the MFA and other independent film venues draw in audiences of all ages is to invite directors to speak after screenings. Long remains committed to this element of programming, commenting that “it makes the film more personal” and that “it encourages learning and enriches everyone’s experience.”

But even with director discussions scheduled whenever possible, Long faces the challenge common to all art exhibitors. He confessed that’s it’s not always easy. He said his challenge is “to balance what I want to present versus what will get a good audience.”

He’s considering either a festival or series in areas of personal interest, such as contemporary Japanese cinema, as well as programming more film from regions of the world that are underrepresented on local screens, such as Southeast Asia, where Long said, “there are good things happening.”

Though Long has never personally attempted filmmaking, he is part of a local band, Ice Dragon, which in his words plays “really slow, heavy rock.” He’s on guitar and the band is experimenting with videos and short filmmaking, a venture that gives him added appreciation for local artists.

On that note, Long admitted that showcasing work by local filmmakers is one his favorite parts of the job. “That we can do something to support these artists, financially or by getting their name out there and their work to be seen, is important to me,” he said. As for whether or not your work can one day screen at the MFA, Long said he is “always happy to take a look at things.” But keep in mind another of his most fulfilling duties: “filling the house and watching the audience react positively.”