Annette's directing career began with THE FOOT SHOOTING PARTY starring Leonardo DiCaprio, with funding from the Jeffrey Katzenberg / Touchstone Pictures discretionary fund. After a standing-room-only screening in Sony's newly renovated Cary Grant Theater, PREMIERE magazine featured Annette in an article, "Talent to Keep an Eye On."

Prior to directing Annette studied acting under legendary coach, Joan Darling. She worked for a decade as a script supervisor on major studio films for top producers and directors including Bruce Beresford, Richard Zanuck, Saul Zaentz, Joel Silver and Steven Spielberg.

Spielberg saw THE FOOT SHOOTING PARTY and hired Annette to direct on his NBC TV show, SEAQUEST, launching Annette's directing career.

On her feature debut, FOXFIRE, Annette pulled Angelina Jolie from auditions for a minor role and offered her the lead. The film has since found a cult following. Many consider it to have launched Jolie's career.

Annette cast Academy and Tony Award winning actors in all of her films garnering a reputation for casting and performance.

Hollywood Reporter gave LOVE IS STRANGE, starring Ron Silver, Julie Harris and Kate Nelligan, a rave review, citing Annette's strong directing.

SAVANNAH, starring the late Sam Shepard with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Bradley Whitford, Jim Caveizel and Jaime Alexander, had a theatrical run in twelve cities before its current, decade-long run on cable TV and streamers.

In 2023, FOX released DAUGHTER OF THE BRIDE theatrically, in five cities, before a broadcast exclusive and streaming. The film stars Marcia Gay Harden, Aidan Quinn, Halston Sage and Andrew Richardson

DGA President, director-producer Lesli Linka Glatter invited Annette to shadow director Alex Graves on Showtime's HOMELAND for one month, on the set in Berlin.

The DGA Women's Steering Committee selected Annette for the SQUAD's inaugural group, leading to MARVISTA ENTERTAINMENT hiring Annette to direct DAUGHTER OF THE BRIDE.

Annette is a prolific writer. Her work includes produced originals, writer-for-hire movies (including a CBS mini-series) and script-doctoring screenplays green-lit for production.

She has two projects in development, a limited series set in Berlin and an indie film with trans-actress Hari Nef ("Dr. Barbie" in Gerwig's BARBIE) attached to play the lead. Best Picture Oscar winner Bruce Cohen (SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, AMERICAN BEAUTY) is the Consulting Producer.

Annette has been a member of the DGA and WGA since 1994. Other memberships include the DGA LGBTQ+ committee, Film Fatales and Women in Film. Early in her career, she was a member of IATSE.

She is repped by New York attorney, Jackie Eckhouse of Sloss Eckhouse Dasti Haynes Lawco.

Annette lives in Santa Monica but loves to work anywhere in the world. Her daughter is following in her footsteps, currently a Key PA on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, and her son is pursuing a career in political science.

See photos of celebrities before they hit the big-time.

Annette Haywood-Carter

Director

Writer

Producer

Script and Continuity Department

Additional Crew

Thanks