Person Biography:
Annette's directing career began with THE FOOT SHOOTING PARTY, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which was funded by the Jeffrey Katzenberg / Touchstone Pictures discretionary fund. The film premiered at Sony's newly renovated Cary Grant Theater, followed by a standing-room-only screening, and was featured in PREMIERE magazine's article, "Talent to Keep an Eye On".
Prior to directing, Annette studied acting under legendary coach, Joan Darling. She then worked as a script supervisor on major studio films for top producers and directors, including Bruce Beresford, Richard Zanuck, Saul Zaentz, Joel Silver, and Steven Spielberg.
Spielberg saw THE FOOT SHOOTING PARTY and hired Annette to direct on his NBC TV show, SEAQUEST, launching her directing career.
On her feature debut, FOXFIRE, Annette cast Angelina Jolie in the lead role, which has since become a cult classic and is considered to have launched Jolie's career.
Annette has a reputation for casting and performance, having worked with Academy and Tony Award-winning actors in all of her films.
Her subsequent films, including LOVE IS STRANGE and SAVANNAH, have received critical acclaim, with the latter having a theatrical run in twelve cities and a decade-long run on cable TV and streamers.
In 2023, FOX released DAUGHTER OF THE BRIDE theatrically in five cities, before a broadcast exclusive and streaming. The film stars Marcia Gay Harden, Aidan Quinn, Halston Sage, and Andrew Richardson.
Annette has also worked in television, shadowing director Alex Graves on Showtime's HOMELAND for a month, and was selected by the DGA Women's Steering Committee for the SQUAD's inaugural group, leading to her directing DAUGHTER OF THE BRIDE.
As a prolific writer, Annette has produced originals, writer-for-hire movies, and script-doctoring screenplays green-lit for production. She has two projects in development, a limited series set in Berlin and an indie film with trans-actress Hari Nef attached to play the lead.
Annette is a member of the DGA, WGA, DGA LGBTQ+ committee, Film Fatales, and Women in Film, and is repped by New York attorney, Jackie Eckhouse of Sloss Eckhouse Dasti Haynes Lawco.
