Lynne Littman: The Award-Winning Filmmaker Behind Testament and Number Our Days
Lynne Littman is an American film and television director, producer and writer, best known for her deeply human storytelling and her award-winning documentary work. She is widely recognised for directing the 1983 feature film Testament, starring Jane Alexander, and for winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film for Number Our Days.
Born on 26 June 1941 in New York, New York, United States, she built a career that spans documentary film, television drama, social storytelling and industry leadership. As of April 2026, she is 84 years old and will turn 85 on 26 June 2026. Although she was born in New York, her current city is Los Angeles, California, where she has long been connected with the American film and television industry.
Early Life and Education of Lynne Littman
Littman’s hometown is New York, New York, a city known for theatre, literature, art and cinema. Growing up in such a culturally rich environment may have helped shape her interest in storytelling and performance. She later studied at Sarah Lawrence College, where she earned a BA in literature, French, dance and theatre. Her education shows a strong creative foundation, combining language, movement, dramatic arts and literary study.
Time at the Sorbonne
During her education, she also spent her junior year at the Sorbonne in Paris. This international academic experience likely gave her a broader cultural outlook and deepened her understanding of art, language and human stories. These influences can be seen throughout her later work, especially in projects that focus on memory, identity, family and social change.
Lynne Littman Career in Film and Television
Littman’s professional career is long and respected. She has worked as a director, writer, producer, organisation leader and industry committee chair. Her work has appeared in documentary film, feature film and television. She is especially admired for telling stories with emotional seriousness and social meaning. Rather than creating only commercial entertainment, her projects often explore moral questions, personal struggle and real human experience.
Breakthrough with Number Our Days
One of the most important moments in her career came with the documentary short film Number Our Days. The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film, making her an Oscar-winning filmmaker. Number Our Days is remembered as a sensitive and thoughtful documentary. It helped establish her reputation as a director capable of treating real-life subjects with dignity and emotional intelligence.
Academy Award Recognition
Winning an Academy Award gave her major recognition in the film world. It also placed her among documentary filmmakers whose work is valued not only for technical skill but also for cultural importance. This award remains one of the most important achievements of her career.
Lynne Littman and Testament
After her documentary success, Littman made her feature film directing debut with Testament in 1983. The film starred Jane Alexander and became one of her best-known works. Testament is a powerful drama about a family and community facing the effects of nuclear disaster. Unlike many films about disaster, it focuses more on emotional loss, family bonds and human survival than on action or spectacle.
Why Testament Matters
The film is remembered for its serious tone and strong performances. It showed Littman’s ability to move from documentary into dramatic feature filmmaking while keeping the same concern for human truth. Her direction helped make Testament a respected work of American cinema. The film remains closely linked to her name and is often mentioned as one of her major achievements.
Awards and Major Recognition
Throughout her career, Littman has received several important awards and honours. Her work at KCET, Los Angeles brought her wide recognition.
Her awards and honours include:
- Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film
- Four Emmy Awards
- Columbia/DuPont Journalism Award
- Los Angeles Press Club Award
- Golden Mike Award from the Radio and Television News Association
- Two Christopher Awards
- Three CINE Golden Eagles
- George Foster Peabody Award
- First prizes at the Atlanta and San Francisco Film Festivals
These awards show the range of her work. She has been recognised by film festivals, television bodies, journalism groups and cultural organisations.
Television Work and Notable Projects
Littman has also directed several important television films and productions. Her television work includes projects for major networks and platforms.
The Rescuers
For Showtime, she directed The Rescuers, starring Linda Hamilton and Alfred Molina. The film added to her reputation for directing serious stories with strong emotional and historical value.
Freak City
She also directed Freak City, starring Peter Sarsgaard. The project further showed her interest in stories about people facing difficult circumstances and personal challenges.
Having Our Say
For CBS, she directed Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years, starring Ruby Dee and Diahann Carroll. The production won both Peabody and Christopher awards, adding more strength to her record as a television director.
Lynne Littman and Industry Leadership
In addition to directing and producing, Littman has played an important role in film organisations and professional bodies. She has served on the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 2009 onwards. This role reflects her standing within the film community.
She has also been connected with the Directors Guild of America, where she has chaired the Documentary Awards Committee. Her work with the DGA shows her continued support for documentary filmmakers and professional standards in directing.
International Documentary Association
Littman has also served on the Board of Directors of the International Documentary Association. Her involvement with the organisation highlights her commitment to documentary film and to supporting others in the field. Her professional memberships include the DGA, WGA, ASCAP, the Television Academy, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
LDL Films Inc.
Littman is also associated with LDL Films Inc., where she has worked as a film director, writer and president. Her profile lists her connection to LDL Films across several decades, showing her long-term role in independent creative production. Through LDL Films, she continued to build work as a filmmaker with a clear personal and artistic voice.
Family Life
Littman was married to film director Taylor Hackford from 1977 to 1987. Taylor Hackford is known as a major American director and producer. The couple had one child, Alexander Hackford, also known as Alex Hackford. He is known professionally for his work in music and entertainment, especially as Head of Creative Music Affairs at PlayStation.
Although Lynne Littman’s family is connected to the wider Hollywood world, she has built her own independent reputation through her films, documentaries and leadership roles.
Personal Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lynne Littman |
| Profession | Film and television director, producer, writer |
| Date of Birth | 26 June 1941 |
| Age | 84 years old as of April 2026 |
| Birthplace | New York, New York, United States |
| Current City | Los Angeles, California |
| Hometown | New York, New York |
| Famous For | Testament and Number Our Days |
| Former Spouse | Taylor Hackford |
| Child | Alexander Hackford |
| Education | Sarah Lawrence College |
| Major Award | Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film |
Legacy of Lynne Littman
Littman’s legacy is built on serious storytelling, strong social themes and long-term service to the film community. She has worked in documentary, feature film and television, and she has earned respect in each area. Her Oscar-winning documentary Number Our Days remains a key part of her career, while Testament continues to stand as a powerful example of emotional drama. Her television work also shows her ability to handle meaningful stories with care and depth.
Beyond her own films, her leadership in organisations such as the Academy, the DGA and the International Documentary Association shows her wider influence. She has not only made films but also helped support the film industry itself.
Conclusion
Lynne Littman is an important American filmmaker whose career reflects talent, commitment and cultural value. From her Oscar-winning documentary work to her feature film debut with Testament, she has shown a deep understanding of human stories. Her awards, industry roles, education and long creative career make her a respected figure in American cinema and television. Based in Los Angeles but born in New York, she remains closely associated with meaningful filmmaking, documentary leadership and powerful screen storytelling.
FAQs
1. Who is Lynne Littman?
Lynne Littman is an American film and television director, producer, and writer. She is best known for directing Testament and for winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film for Number Our Days.
2. How old is Lynne Littman?
Lynne Littman was born on 26 June 1941. As of April 2026, she is 84 years old and will turn 85 on 26 June 2026.
3. Who is Lynne Littman’s son?
Lynne Littman’s son is Alexander Hackford, also known as Alex Hackford. He is an American music executive and is known as the Head of Creative Music Affairs at PlayStation.
