Robert John Keiber to lead the Black Bear Film Festival

By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — Robert John Keiber, an actor, producer, and writer, is taking over as executive producer of The Black Bear Film Festival.
"I love film, and I love Milford," he said. "With the Black Bear Film Festival, I want to work toward something that will make Milford proud and bring new visitors to discover this very special place."
The festival is now in its 17th year, and brings hundreds of film lovers to Milford every fall.
Keiber served this year as the festival's artistic director. He replaces Will Voelkel, who took over last December from the festival's co-founder Jerry Beaver. Voelkel wants to concentrate on fundraising.
"Will is really good at it,” Keiber said. "He started a variety of great new community outreach programs, and they will need increased funding. It will be a big task."
This year, Voelkel developed a festival membership, the Patrons Den, that Keiber said was of "enormous help."
Members can sign on at different levels of support, and receive perks like priority seating and advanced notice of festival happenings.
“I'm more of the management type and have experience doing it," said Keiber, also worked as a department head for bio-medical communications at the Rockefeller University in New York City. He only started acting at age 40.
"With the help of Amy Bridge, our new president, we want to expand BBFF's contribution to Milford," he said.
Keiber is best known for creating the role of Kit on the popular ABC daytime series "All My Children." He produced an educational television series, "Celebrate a Book," which won an Emmy Award. He's also performed in a number of movies, including the title role in this year's full feature film "Let's Kill Grandpa for Christmas," shot on location in Mount Pocono. He is also the author of "My Cancer Diary: An Inspirational Diary and Date Book," published in 2014,
The festival's new plans include "Filmmakers Camp," an educational program for young people, and more workshops in general during the winter.
Voelkel wrote via email about the change in leadership:
“Bob will make a terrific new ED with his extensive film and TV background, and I will further enhance my role in fundraising among foundations, businesses, and the new Patrons Den, which Barbara Buchanan and I launched successfully this year thanks to the interest, commitment and generosity of local residents."
For more information about the Black Bear Film Festival, visit blackbearfilm.com.
See also the related story, "Black Bear thanks its biggest donors," on page 19.