Donna Deitch

‘Desert Hearts’ (Independent Feature)

“Donna Deitch’s sultry, sexy movie comes out of nowhere to create a sensation” – Toronto Sun
The soundtrack pulses to Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Patti Page, and Ella Fitzgerald.
‘Women of Brewster Place’ (ABC Mini-series)

Oprah Winfrey heads a stellar cast in this Emmy nominated mini-series that celebrates the human spirit’s indomitable will to survive in the face of poverty, shattering tragedy, homophobia and senseless violence.
‘Devil’s Arithmetic’ (Showtime Movie)

Hanna (Kirsten Dunst) was a typical American teen until a mystical Passover time travels her to Rivkah’s (Brittany Murphy) 1941 Poland on an emotional journey of life and death. Emmy winner Best Director
‘Angel On My Shoulder’ (Documentary Feature)

“…an undeniably powerful and moving depiction of the end of a vibrant life and of an enduring friendship.” –Variety
Winner Gold Hugo, Chicago Film Festival
‘Prison Stories’ (HBO Movie)

Rachel Ticotin, in jail for drug dealing, has to cope with a son on the outside being raised by her sister, Talisa Soto, and her dealer boyfriend leaving her.
‘Common Ground’ (Showtime Movie)

A gay ‘My Town’ written by Harvey Fierstein, Paula Vogel and Terrence McNally with Eric Stoltz, Brittany Murphy, Jason Priestly, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Mimi Rogers, Margo Kidder, and Steven Weber.
‘Second Noah’ (ABC Pilot)

Pilot for ABC drama about a family that adopts orphaned children and wild animals with James Marsden.
‘South of Nowhere’ (N Pilot)

Pilot for the first network show about gay and lesbian teenagers.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (ABC)

After learning of Richard’s drinking problem, Derek confronts him for the sake of his friend and the hospital, Izzie returns, hoping to reconcile with Alex.
‘Private Practice’ (ABC)

Addison proves her talents to her father. Sam and Naomi discover their daughter is growing up way too fast. Violet does the unthinkable.
‘EZ Streets’ (CBS)

In an unnamed, broken-down city somewhere near the Canadian border, three violent men seem destined to come into conflict. Created by Paul Haggis. With Ken Olin and Jason Geddrick.
‘Law and Order: Special Victims Unit’ (NBC)

A woman who has been in a coma for 14 months is found to be 7 weeks pregnant. The patient’s doctor is impregnating her with a rich donor’s sperm to get embryonic stem cells that are biologically compatible.
‘NYPD Blue’ (ABC)

Russell’s (Kim Delaney) drunken father is found murdered in their apartment and her brother, Doug, claims to have shot him in self defense. But Russell’s mother in fact did the deed.
‘A Change of Place’ (CBS Movie)

A university professor goes to Paris and swaps places with her drunk, fashion-model twin sister.

recent journal entry

Moral Courage Channel – YouTube

Moral Courage Channel – YouTube.

Desert Hearts – The Sequel

It’s top secret but its coming. And it takes place here: Stay tuned for more.

about me

Donna Deitch segued from award winning documentary filmmaker to Producing and Directing 'Desert Hearts', the landmark hit of the 1986 Sundance, Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals.

Shortly after seeing the film, Oprah Winfrey hired her to direct the ABC Emmy nominated 4 hour mini series 'The Women of Brewster Place'.

She has directed movies for cable including HBO's 'Prison Stories, Women on the Inside' and Showtime's 'Devil's Arithmetic' starring Kirsten Dunst and Brittany Murphy for which she won an Emmy for her direction.

Deitch also directed four pilots three of which were picked up for series including 'Second Noah'. She has directed the best of one hour television drama including numerous episodes of Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, NYPD Blue, ER, Law and Order: SVU, Heroes, Crossing Jordan, Murder One, Army Wives, EZ Streets, and others.

Deitch occasionally goes back to her documentary roots as she did with 'Angel On My Shoulder' about her best friend actress Gwen Welles' (Nashville) experience with dying which won the Gold Hugo at The Chicago Film Festival.