ED BURNS

Known by many as the forefather of independent filmmaking, Ed Burns became the stuff of Hollywood legend two decades ago when he produced, directed, wrote, and starred in his first feature film The Brothers McMullen, fresh out of Hunter College. Shot in true indie style on a tight budget, the film went on to become the most profitable movie of the year, and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance along with a trophy for Best First Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Since then, Burns continues to write, direct and star in his ongoing indie projects including She’s the One, Sidewalks of New York and The Fitzgerald Family Christmas, all of which have continued to take the festival world by storm. His latest is Public Morals, a TNT police drama series set in the 1960's that draws inspiration from his childhood growing up with a father and uncle in New York law enforcement.