Deborah Kampmeier

Deborah Jane Kampmeier (born November 21, 1964) is an American filmmaker and producer best known for writing and directing films such as Virgin (2003), Hounddog (2007), Split (2016) and Tape (2020). Early life Deborah Kampmeier was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She began her career in theater as an actress after training at the National Shakespeare Conservatory from 1983 to 1985. She went to prom with actor RuPaul. Kampmeier taught acting in NYC for 20 years at such institutions as NYU, Stella Adler Studios, Michael Howard Studios, Playwrights Horizons and The National Shakespeare Conservatory. Films Kampmeier made her first feature film Virgin (2003), starring Elisabeth Moss and Robin Wright Penn, on a budget of $65,000. The film picked up awards at the Hamptons Film Festival, Sedona Film Festival, Santa Fe Film Festival, and Female Eye Film Festival. The film earned two nominations at the 19th Independent Spirit Awards, the John Cassavetes Award for Kampmeier and Best Female Lead for Moss. Her second feature film, Hounddog (2007), starring Dakota Fanning and Piper Laurie, debuted at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. The film was met with significant controversy due to a rape scene featuring a then twelve-year-old Fanning. This sequence caused film critics and activists to condemn the film, with many deeming it "child abuse". Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, called for a federal investigation against Kampmeier, with Donohue stating that the film was breaking anti-pornography laws and that Fanning was being exploited.