Hackford re-elected directors' leader

LOS ANGELES, June 27 (UPI) -- "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Ray" filmmaker Taylor Hackford has been re-elected president of the Directors Guild of America.

The announcement was made at the guild's National Biennial Convention held Saturday at DGA National Headquarters in Los Angeles.

Hackford, who joined the DGA in 1974, was first elected president in 2009.

"It is my honor to accept once again the position of president of the Directors Guild of America in this, our 75th anniversary year," Hackford said in a statement. "This is the greatest distinction anyone can have in this town. I am so proud to be a member of this guild and to be part of the leadership, and I can promise you that, as I have in the last two years, I will work as hard as I possibly can to represent our members and fight for their creative and economic rights -- whether that be at the bargaining table, on the set or in Washington, D.C."

Director Steven Soderbergh, who placed Hackford's name in nomination, said he is proud to have served along with Hackford the past two years.

"People don't realize how much work, time and dedication it takes to do this job -- it's not easy by any means -- and I have no doubt that Taylor will continue to serve the members of this guild with the same passion and skill that he's already given to us for the last two years," he said.

Soderbergh was re-elected national vice president; Gilbert Cates, who formerly served two terms as DGA president, was re-elected secretary-treasurer.

Hackford's feature films include "Against All Odds," "White Nights," "Everybody's All-American," "Dolores Claiborne," "The Devil's Advocate," "Proof of Life" and "Love Ranch."