Margaret Cardillo
Margaret Cardillo is an award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, professor, and children’s book author.
Margaret’s writing for the screen won a CTA Emmy and has played at festivals around the world. After serving as the screenwriter for several short films, she co-produced the documentary STRANGERS TO PEACE, which won four Best of Fest awards. She is also the director and producer of the Oral History Project for the University of Miami Centennial Celebration. Currently, she is at work on a feature documentary about Jane Chastain, the country’s first female sportscaster.
Margaret is a Professor of Practice in screenwriting and film at the University of Miami, where she serves on several boards and committees. She has been a judge for many film festivals, and is also a member and former board member of the University Film and Video Association.
In addition to teaching, Margaret has given lectures and talks on the films of Audrey Hepburn, Nora Ephron, films that focus on food, and a range of international and independent cinema. Her lectures offer deep dives into theme, narrative structure, and performance. Her lectures introduce audiences to a film by exploring the backgrounds of its director and screenwriter, its place in film history, and the creative ideas and artistic traditions that shaped its production. I focus on what the filmmakers were thinking about at the time—examining the themes, influences, and artistic decisions behind the work—so viewers can engage with the film in a richer and more informed way.
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The Films of Nora Ephron: A Focus on When Harry Met Sally…
Often referred to as the “Queen of the Romantic Comedy,” Nora Ephron wrote and directed some of the most beloved films in the genre. In this series, we will explore her remarkable career, with particular attention to When Harry Met Sally…. Through close analysis, we will examine story structure, themes, influences, and the creative decisions that shaped her work, offering a deeper understanding of what makes her films so enduring and how she elevated an entire genre.
Films About Food
Combining cinema and cuisine, these lectures explore films in which food plays a central role—whether as subject matter or as a lens for character and storytelling. We can examine both narrative and documentary films, discussing how filmmakers use food to enhance emotion, explore culture, and examine visual storytelling.
The Films of Audrey Hepburn
From her unforgettable debut in Roman Holiday to her status as a global icon, Audrey Hepburn remains one of Hollywood’s most celebrated stars. This lecture traces her journey from newcomer to Academy Award winner, exploring her performances, the films that defined her career, and her lasting legacy both on and off the screen. We will analyze the artistic and directorial elements that contribute to her enduring appeal.
International Cinema
This series introduces audiences to the richness of international film by examining the cultural, historical, and artistic contexts in which these works were created. Through the study of key films, directors, and screenwriters, we will explore global cinematic traditions and their influence on storytelling. Lectures may also focus specifically on films by or about Italians and Italian Americans.