Dianne Houston
Dianne Houston was born on July 22nd in Washington, DC. She is the first (and so far only) African American woman nominated for an academy award in Directing for. the short film TUESDAY MORNING RIDE, starring Bill Cobb and Ruby Dee which she wrote and directed.
Dianne became interested in theater while attending Howard University with her first plays being produced around 1977. She later worked in New York City, Amsterdam, and Berlin which she says helped give her "a world view." In 1990 she was again based in the United States, but lived in a bicoastal manner. Around this time she wrote for Brewster Place a show produced by Harpo Productions. After this Oprah Winfrey remained a supporter and, on occasion, financial backer.
Dianne has worked as a Director on various television shows including, Crossing Jordan, Strong Medicine, NYPD Blue and City of Angles.
She has worked has written various feature films including, Take The Lead, Little Monsters, Move, Jumpin', Dancing Still, The Mercy Factors etc.
Writing television credits include, The Eductation of Max Bickford, City of Angels, The Children, Brewster Place, etc.
Dianne is currently slated to write a film based on the life of rapper Missy Elliott. Oscar-winning actor Robert DeNiro's New York City-based Tribeca Films has snapped up the rights to the film, along with Elliott's manager, Mona Scott.
Houston also stars as her self in "Sisters in Cinema", a Documentary about African-American female directors.
