Hal Hartley

He won the Best screenplay award at Cannes in 1998.

His father was an Ironworker with the Ironworker's Union, Local 40, out of New York.

He studied film under the noted director/editor Aram Avakian.

One day early in his career, Hal saw a sign in a bank offering personal loans to buy home computers. He filled out an application and, much to his surprise, the bank approved it. He then persuaded one of his brothers and a cousin to apply as well, and in this way accumulated twenty-three thousand dollars. Hartley had planned to use the money to make a feature film.

Hal's short films Dogs and The Cartographer's Girlfriend was made with very limited resources. He used borrowed cameras and outdated film stock.

The movie Kid (1984), was Hal's senior thesis.

Hal often uses Long Island, New York as location for his films. Another trademark for his films is his use of the same actors repeatedly.

He uses the name Ned Rifle for when he composes and preforms music for his films.

Hal is one of the pioneers of the independent film movement.

Possible Films Incorporated is Hal Hartley's production company.

In the years 1977-78, he studied at the Massachusetts College Of Art in Boston.

He graduated from State University of New York in 1984.

He grew up in the town of Lindenhurst, not far from his birth place.

Hal has directed films such as Trust (1990), Amateur (1994) and Henry Fool (1997). His latest acomplishment as a director is the 2005 movie The Girl From Monday.