IFC

Christine Lubrano & Rachel Smith Take on Expanded Roles in IFC Original Programming Department

Lubrano Appointed VP of Non-Fiction Programming; Smith Appointed VP of Fiction Programming

New York, NY – April 23, 2008 – IFC, the first and only network dedicated to independent film and related programming, announced today two key promotions in its original programming department. Christine Lubrano has been appointed vice president of non-fiction programming, and will spearhead the development and production of IFC non-fiction series, documentary features and news for multiplatform use. Most recently, she was director of non-fiction programming. In addition, Rachel Smith has been appointed vice president of fiction programming, and will oversee the development and production of IFC scripted series for multiplatform use. She was previously director of scripted programming. Both will continue to report to Debbie DeMontreux, senior vice president of original programming for IFC.

Reaffirming the network’s commitment to originals, today’s promotions come on the heels of IFC’s announcement of its expanded programming line-up for 2008. In September, the network will premiere its newest original scripted series, Z ROCK, a comedy loosely based on the real lives of three band members. IFC has renewed for a third season the sketch comedy series, The Whitest Kids U’ Know, and will also debut on May 29 the highly-anticipated feature documentary At the Death House Door, a gripping and intimate look at the death penalty in Texas, directed by Steve James (Hoop Dreams).

“Christine and Rachel’s passion and dedication to creating engaging original programming that resonates with our discriminating audience more than warrants their expanded roles in our department,” stated DeMontreux. “Their expertise and creativity have played a key role in driving IFC’s programming strategy and commitment to original docs and series. I am pleased to have them as part of our senior programming team as we debut an impressive lineup of originals this year, and look forward to a number of exciting projects on the horizon.”

As director of non-fiction programming, Lubrano played an integral role in the development and acquisition of feature docs, and executive produced IFC’s successful non-fiction series, including The Henry Rollins Show and Indie Sex; live events and award shows, such as The Independent Spirit Awards; IFC NEWS series; and various specials. Lubrano joined IFC in 2000 as manager, short form programming. In this role, she managed the production of short form programming and interstitials, including film festival coverage, behind-the-scenes “making-ofs,” and co-branded sponsored vignettes. In 2003, Lubrano was promoted to director, news and specials, where she executive produced half-hour specials (Pulp Fiction on a Dime, IFC’s 10th Anniversary Special), and magazine show series (At the IFC Center, At the Angelika and IFC In Theaters), and supervised live production of the Cannes Film Festival’s Closing Night Ceremony, among other events. Prior to joining IFC, Lubrano was manager, program packaging for Bravo, where she produced packaging for series including Cold Feet, Bravo Profiles and The West Wing.

Her work has been recognized with Promax, BDA, and Telly Awards, as well as various film festival honors. Lubrano holds a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. She is a member of Women in Cable Telecommunications and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Since joining IFC in 2005 as the director of fiction programming, Smith has been instrumental in driving the success of the network’s scripted programming slate. Her recent credits include executive producer for two seasons of IFC’s critically-acclaimed series The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman and The Business, and the network’s forthcoming comedy series Z Rock, as well as oversight of Season Two of the sketch comedy series The Whitest Kids U’ Know. Smith joined IFC in 2005 as director of development, original programming. Previously, she spent six years at Bravo, where she was director of development overseeing primetime series and specials. In this role, she executive produced up to ten pilots and four multi-part series annually, including the Emmy-nominated Kathy Griffin: My Life on D-List and critically-acclaimed Tabloid Wars, and developed a number of series, including: The Real Housewives of Orange County and Million Dollar Listing. Smith began with Bravo as a senior producer on documentary series, including Bravo Profiles and Page to Screen. Prior to joining Bravo, she held production roles at various New York-based production companies, working on projects for Animal Planet, TBS and MTV. She began her career as a production assistant and researcher at the Australian public television station, SBS Television.

Smith holds a Master of Arts degree in media studies, a certificate in media management from The New School University in New York City, and a bachelor of arts degree in art history and pre-law from the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia. She is a member of New York Women in Film and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

About IFC

IFC (The Independent Film Channel) is the first and only network dedicated to independent film and related programming, 24 hours a day, uncut and uncensored. Operating under the mantra ‘always, uncut,’ IFC presents feature-length films, “cult classics,” thought-provoking original documentaries such as At the Death House Door and This Film Is Not Yet Rated, shorts, animated series, exclusive web series, and television’s most comprehensive independent film library. The network also offers some of the most innovative and edgy original series on television, including the sketch comedy The Whitest Kids U’ Know. Providing a voice for independent thought not found anywhere else on television, IFC broadens the audience for independent film and supports the independent film community through its exclusive live coverage of notable film events like the Independent Spirit Awards. The network’s On Demand offering, IFC Free, gives audiences the opportunity to watch premieres of all of IFC’s original series in HD before they air on the linear network. A network of Rainbow Entertainment Services, IFC’s sister brands include AMC and WE tv.

About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.

Press Contacts

  • Olivia Dupuis
    212.324.4748
    ojdupuis@rainbow-media.com