DIRECTORS

Fran Burst-Terranella is an independent director and producer. Her career spans 4 decades and encompasses more than 750 productions - from television documentaries, commercials and PSAs to branded entertainment, corporate marketing, and non-profits’ fundraising, educational and motivation films. Fran projects engage, entertain and move people to act. She’s directed more than 200 short narratives - serious and humorous -- for corporations. Her fundraising and grant award films have helped secure almost $1 billion in funding. A life-long visual artist, Fran was the first woman at the University of Texas/Austin to earn a Master’s Degree as a Director. Her debut feature "The 12 Lives of Sissy Carlyle” premiered at the 2017 Atlanta Film Festival. In this wittily insightful story, a shy writer escapes her ordinary life by creating daring, alternate personalities whose fantastic adventures she chronicles in secret journals. Her documentaries have aired on ABC, TBS and PBS. Her directing, producing and cinematography have earned 100+ honors - Tellys, CINE Golden Eagles and festivals including Toronto, New York, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Bilbao and Sydney. An enthusiastic mentor and senior faculty at the Art Institute of Atlanta 2001-2014, her signature courses include Directing, Screenwriting, Trailers/Promos, and Portfolio. Fran served as co-president of Georgia Production Partnership during passage of Georgia’s entertainment tax incentive in 2008.