Martha Coolidge nominated for a DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs for An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong.  This movie, produced by Sobini Films and HBO for American Girl, premiered on HBO in January 2009.  Starring Sammi Hanratty, Adair Tishler, Annabeth Gish, Timothy Bottoms, Michael Learned and Jennifer Tilly it tells a frank and engaging, contemporary story of Chrissa who upon entering a new school is confronted by serious bullying.  The film has not only attracted numerous young fans but has been used in schools across the country to help children deal with bullying.  Teaching materials for the film are offered on the American Girl website,  Recently the film won a Gold Award from National Parenting Publications (NAPPA), their highest honor.  The film was shot entirely in Los Angeles on a shoestring and is available on DVD  from American Girl.  

This is Ms. Coolidge's third DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated in the Movies for Television/Mini-Series category for If These Walls Could Talk II: 1972 in 2000, and for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge in 1999.  The winners of the DGA Awards will be announced at the Awards Dinner in Beverly HIlls on January 30th.