Jane Campion is a New Zealand film director and writer who was awarded an Oscar for the internationally acclaimed film The Piano in 1993. Campion's films generally focus on females who are outsiders. Her other films include The Portrait of a Lady, an adaption of the novel by Henry James, Holy Smoke (1999), and Bright Star, headlining John Keats and Fanny Brawne.
Education
She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Victoria University of Wellington in 1975. In 1976 Campion attended Chelsea Art School in London and travelled throughout Europe. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in painting at the Sydney College of the Arts in Australia in 1979.
Career
Became interested in filmmaking and began making short films, late 1970s; short film, Tissues, led to her acceptance into the Australian Film and Television School, 1981; took job with Australia's Women's Film Unit, 1984; directed an episode of the television drama Dancing Daze, 1986; short films Peel, Passionless Moments, and Girls Own Story released theatrically in the United States, 1989-90.