Nicole Kassell received a BA from Columbia University in Art History and an MFA from NYU's Film Program, where she was honored with full scholarships for two years. Her short film, "Jaime," won the DGA student female filmmaker prize, and her thesis film, "The Green Hour," premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002. Kassell's first feature film "The Woodsman" premiered in competition at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and was distributed by Newmarket Films. The screenplay, based on the play by Steven Fechter, was co-written by Kassell and Fechter. It won first prize at the 2002 Slamdance Screenplay Competition. The film received numerous accolades: a CACAE (art house award) at the Directors' Fortnight at The Cannes Film Festival; The Jury Prize at the Deauville Film Festival; a Humanitas nomination; and The Satyajit Ray Award at the London Film Festival. Kassell was nominated for a Gotham Award (Breakthrough Director) and Independent Spirit Award (Best First Feature) and was recognized by Variety as one of ten "directors to watch." Kassell is developing an adaptation of the novel "Prodigal Summer" by Barbara Kingsolver. Kassell optioned the rights and is co-writing with Kingsolver. The project was selected for the 2013 Sundance Writer's and Producers Lab, and is being produced by Big Beach films. Kassell also directs episodic television, including "The Killing," "The Americans," "The Following" & "Rectify." Kassell has guest lectured at NYU, mentored for the Cinereach foundation, and serves on the Eastern Director's Council of the DGA. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.