Council Biography

Alex Payne

Alexander Payne was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended Stanford University, where he received degrees in History and Spanish Literature. Later he received his MFA in Film Directing from UCLA. His films include "The Passion of Martin," his UCLA thesis film which was presented at over 20 international festivals; "Citizen Ruth," released in 1996 (First Prize Munich Film Festival; Best Actress, Montreal Film Festival; Best Screenplay, Thessaloniki Film Festival); and "Election," released in 1999 (winner WGA award best adapted screenplay, Oscar nominee Best Adapted Screenplay, New York Film Critics Circle Best Screenplay). He is currently planning to shoot his next film in early 2001.