In these times of stress, snark, division and despair, I still suspect that two of the most important features we possess are imagination and a capacity for goodness. Those are qualities for which we will be remembered most fondly.

You only get one world premiere of your directorial debut.

My mother enjoyed few things more than investing in the underdogs and showing them that they were special and could achieve their dreams.

I think there are many more stories still to be told about women.

You can be moved by an animated film and not by a live action film. There could be great inspiration in and humanity in that animated story.

My M.F.A was in directing, and all the films I've made, for film school and after, I've written, directed and shot.

The brutality that can take place in a crime film heightens the tenderness that can also be there.