She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and an MFA in Film Production from the University of Southern California. A screenwriter and award-winning filmmaker, her last directing project, Speedie Date, was nominated for a 2009 Webby Award. In addition to her industry work, Professor Hackel maintains currency in her academic field through conferences, festivals, scholarly research, and publication. This year she has contributed to two book publications, World Film Locations: Paris and World Film Locations: Las Vegas, and she will be presenting at two panels at the University Film & Video Association conference this August. site map