Glen Pitre—born and reared in Cut Off, LA, worked his way through Harvard by fishing shrimp each summer. Graduating with honors, he’s since made his living as a writer/filmmaker, working from Paris to Mumbai in almost every genre as writer, producer, and/or director. What prompted critic Roger Ebert to call him “a legendary American regional director” were his offbeat, indie historical dramas set in the Gulf South. Those works—plus a couple of novels, some non-fiction books, TV documentaries, IMAX films, multi-screen video installations, and museum design—have won him piles of awards, an honorary doctorate, a humanities lifetime achievement, a faculty appointment at LSU, and even a knighthood by France, Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Pitre currently resides in New Orleans with his wife and creative partner, Michelle Benoit.
He has written for Hollywood studios, broadcast networks, cable, PBS, indie productions, and foreign producers. His screenwriting has been translated into more than 30 languages, and includes dramas, comedy, thrillers, action-adventure, romance, horror, westerns, sit-coms, documentaries, sports films, environmental films, 4D museum experiences, and IMAX. Also a producer, director, novelist, and non-fiction author, Pitre’s accolades include a Sundance Writers’ Lab fellowship; AFI, NEA, and NEH grants; an honorary doctorate; and that knighthood, of course.