Catherine Hardwicke has been a production designer and art director in Hollywood since the early '80s. Working mostly on independent projects and cult films (Tapeheads, Tank Girl), she did some bigger films in the late '90s (Three Kings, Vanilla Sky). She teamed up with 13-year-old actress and family friend Nikki Reed to write the screenplay for the coming-of-age drama Thirteen, marking Hardwicke's first directorial effort. The film debuted at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, and she took home the Director's Award.

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