DNA/David Naylor & Associates has signed feature filmmaker Kimberly Peirce for exclusive spot and music video representation in the U.S. Known for her activist independent vision, Peirce staked her place as a writer and director of singular vision with her debut feature Boys Don’t Cry, a powerful, fact-based drama about the life and tragic death of Brandon Teena, a Nebraska transgender who was brutally raped and murdered after his double life was exposed.
Upon its release, Boys Don’t Cry became one of the most acclaimed and talked about films of the year, earning many honors in 2000, including the Best Lead Actress Oscar for the film’s star Hilary Swank. The performance of Swank also won the Golden Globe, the Independent Spirit, the NY and LA Critics, and the National Board of Review Awards. Chloe Sevigny was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar and a Golden Globe and won the Independent Spirit Award. Peirce won honors as Best Debut Director from the National Board of Review and Best New Filmmaker from the Boston Society of Film Critics. The film was named “Best American Feature” by Janet Maslin.
Following Boys Don’t Cry, Peirce co-wrote and directed Stop-Loss starring Channing Tatum, Ryan Phillippe, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The topical drama was inspired by the real-life stories of American soldiers, including her own brother, fighting in Iraq and coming home.
For her latest film, Peirce was honored to adapt and direct a modern version of Stephen King’s classic horror story, Carrie, which was released in October. Starring Chloë Grace Moretz as an outcast teenager with telekinetic powers and Julianne Moore as her domineering, religious mother, Carrie is an American Cinderella horror tale of dreams, desire, sexuality, bullying, super powers and revenge.
A tireless advocate for civil rights including lesbian, gay and transgender rights, Peirce has received the GLAAD Media, Lambda Legal Defense, People for the American Way, and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project awards. She has spoken before the National Press Club and members of Congress. She most recently won the 2013 Outfest Career Achievement Award.
Peirce received her BA from the University of Chicago and her MFA from the Columbia University Graduate Film Program. She is a graduate of Sundance Institute’s Writing and Directing Film Labs, was a Dramatic Film juror at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, is a member of the WGA and the Academy, and serves on the DGA Independent Film Committee.
DNA’s directorial roster for commercials includes Marc Webb, Francis Lawrence, Rich Lee, Tony Datis, Jonathan Lenard, Steven Murashige, Scott Sper, Chris Marrs Piliero, Ryan Hope, Michael Maxxis, Rocky Schenck, Jay Martin, Director X, Marcus Raboy, Robert Lieberman, Nigel Dick, Edgar Wright, Kevin Bray and Christopher Sims.
