Maria Burton Based in Los Angeles, Maria directs narrative and documentary films, commercials and web series. She helms Five Sisters Productions with her four siblings, a boutique independent film company committed to making movies that are entertaining, enriching, and that also contribute to a sense of hope on a personal or social level. Maria's feature, Manna From Heaven, starring Shirley Jones and Cloris Leachman, was a Washington Post critic's pick. The New York Post called it a "great little movie." Ain't it Cool News raved, "this movie has it all". Manna From Heaven won the Special Audience Award at the Sarasota Film Festival; the People's Choice Award at the Ft. Myers Beach Film Festival; the Audience Award at the Big Bear Film Festival; and the New York State Filmmakers Award at the Empire State Film Festival. Having studied acting and directing at Yale, Maria has a solid connection with actors and a strong sense of storytelling. Hollywood Reporter said about her direction on Just Friends, "Director Maria Burton's affection for the story's characters is infectious” and Variety said the "entertaining romantic comedy… reveals director Maria Burton as talent to watch." Variety called Temps a "dead-on take of a generation at the crossroads." NPR called Manna From Heaven, "Capra-esque...Charming, charming, charming!" Maria is directing and producing Old Guy, a comedic web series about the image of aging in the media. In addition to her feature work, Maria directed "Stephen Kanner: A Retrospective," a short film about visionary architect Stephen Kanner for the Architecture+Design A+D Museum, the recent "Faces of Ford" commerical campaign for Ford Motor Company, "Mamas for Obama" spots, and a series for the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking with Julia Ormond. Maria produced the award-winning The Happiest Day of his Life (MTV/LOGO) and Julia Sweeney's Letting Go of God (Showtime). Maria is Co-Chair of the Board of The Alliance of Women Directors, and she serves on the Board of Global Girl Media, an organization which celebrates and connects the voices of young women around the world through new media technologies to support social change.





