Alexander Payne
Election was only his second film, but it’s already won Payne his first recognition as Best Director from Independent Spirit Award and first nomination for the Academy Awards. His succeeding films were also much recognized, including About Schmidt, Sideways, The Descendants, and Nebraska, which was recently nominated to the Academy, Independent Spirit, and Golden Globe.
David O. Russell
The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook, and American Hustle are three of Russell’s early offerings. The critically-acclaimed films instantly won him nominations to the Academy Award in three categories, including Best Director. His earlier directing works include Spanking the Monkey, Three Kings, and Flirting with Disaster.