Martha Stephens

Last updated
Martha Stephens
Born (1984-03-12) March 12, 1984 (age 39)
Huntington, West Virginia, U.S.
Occupation(s)Writer, director, filmmaker
Years active2009–present

Martha Stephens (born March 12, 1984) is an American film writer and director. [1] [2]

Stephens was born in West Virginia and raised in eastern Kentucky. [3] She graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Filmmaking, where she concentrated in directing. [4] [5] [6]

Stephens' first two feature films, Passenger Pigeons (2010) and Pilgrim Song (2012), premiered at the South by Southwest festival and received several awards. [7] [8] Her third film, Land Ho! (2014), which she co-directed with Aaron Katz, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival [9] and was purchased for worldwide distribution by Sony Pictures Classics. [10] [11] At the 30th Independent Spirit Awards, Land Ho! was given the John Cassavetes Award for best feature film with a budget under $500,000. [12] Her fourth feature film To the Stars , with Kara Hayward, Liana Liberato, Malin Åkerman, and Tony Hale starring, premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. [13] It was released on April 24, 2020, by Samuel Goldwyn Films.

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References

  1. ↑ Silverstein, Melissa. Sundance Women Directors: Meet Martha Stephens at Indiewire.com.
  2. ↑ Eliot, Natalie. Filmmaker Interview: Martha Stephens. Oxford American Magazine. 6.12.2012.
  3. ↑ IMDB: Martha Stephens. Retrieved 2.9.2014.
  4. ↑ Lane, Kim. Rock Candy: Q&A with Martha Stephens. Arkansas Times. 5.31.2012.
  5. ↑ Indiewire Staff. Meet the 2012 SXSW Filmmakers #2: Martha Stephens. Indiewire.com, 3.1.2012.
  6. ↑ Ryzik, Melena. Sundance: The Plastic Surgeon, The Actor, and a New Comedy Team. New York Times, retrieved 2.9.2014
  7. ↑ Smirnoff, Marc. REPORT: Little Rock Film Festival. Oxford American Magazine. 6.8.2012.
  8. ↑ Land Ho! Description. Sundance.org. Retrieved 2.9.2014.
  9. ↑ Filmmaker Staff. Land Ho! | Directors Aaron Katz, Martha Stephens. Filmmaker Magazine. 1.18.2014.
  10. ↑ Zakarin, Jordan. A Week With the Unlikely Breakout Stars of this year's Sundance at Buzzfeed.com. Retrieved 2.9.2014.
  11. ↑ Chang, Justin. Sundance Film Reviews: Land Ho! Variety, 1.21.2014.
  12. ↑ "Independent Spirit Awards: 'Land Ho!' Wins John Cassavetes Award". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-09-20.
  13. ↑ McNary, Dave (June 6, 2018). "'To the Stars' Movie Casts Tony Hale, Malin Akerman". Variety . Retrieved June 25, 2018.
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