Debra Granik

Debra Granik made the kind of movies that showcased characters who seemed to collectively suffer infinite emotional pain and financial hardships, yet she was still able to instill in her viewers a sense of hope and redemption. Granik first gained prominence with her award-winning short film, "Snake Feed" (1997), about individuals coping with their own painful drug addiction. Inspired by real-life events and people, she explored the drug theme once again in her directorial film feature debut, "Down to the Bone" (2004), an indie gem that showcased Granik's deft use of realism and loose narrative. But it was her 2010 masterpiece, "Winter's Bone," a harrowing yet beautifully shot drama about a strong-willed young woman coping with the cruelty of living in the Ozark Mountains that cast a spotlight on Granik's genius for the mainstream moviegoers, making her one of the most inspiring and compelling filmmakers of a new generation.