UCLA Honors Film Director Martin Ritt

Film director Martin Ritt has been named the first distinguished director in residence at UCLA’s College of Fine Arts, according to George Schaefer, chairman of the department of theater, film and television.

Ritt will teach a course in directing during the spring quarter, and will work with six graduate students on their senior projects in film and video.

Ritt began his career as an actor, became a theater director after World War II, acted in and directed television productions and made his feature film directing debut in 1957 with “Edge of the City” starring John Cassavetes and Sidney Poitier. Three of his films have been nominated for Academy Awards for best picture, including “Hud” (for which he also was nominated as best director), “Sounder” and “Norma Rae.”