Four-time Academy Award® nominee Gary Ross is currently directing THE FREE STATE OF JONES, an epic action drama set during the Civil War, that tells the story of defiant Southern farmer Newt Knight and his extraordinary armed rebellion against the Confederacy. STX is producing the film, which is scheduled for a March 2016 release.

Previously, Ross developed, co-wrote and directed the record-setting box office hit THE HUNGER GAMES (more than $690 million worldwide) starring Jennifer Lawrence for Lionsgate Films, which spawned a hugely successful four-part franchise based on Suzanne Collins’ bestselling dystopian trilogy.

Ross launched his career as co-writer of the hit film BIG, starring Tom Hanks, which earned him his first Academy Award® nomination. Next, he drew on his experience in and love of the American political process for his screenplay of the Capra-esque comedy hit DAVE, for which he received his second Academy Award® nomination and won the esteemed Writer's Guild Paul Selvin Award.

In 1998, Ross marked his directorial debut with the ambitious and critically-acclaimed PLEASANTVILLE. In 2003, he wrote and directed the much celebrated, epic feature SEABISCUIT, starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, and Chris Cooper. The film received seven Academy Award® nominations, including best picture and best screenplay for Ross. He also received DGA and WGA award nominations, the USC Scripter Award, and numerous other guild and critical awards. Ross also developed, wrote and produced the animated adventure THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, based on Kate DiCamillo's best selling children’s novel.

Ross’s first book “Bartholomew Biddle and the Very Big Wind,” was published fall 2013 by Candlewick Press. A children’s fantasy, the illustrated book is written completely in verse.

Ross is active in civic and charitable work. During his tenure as President of the Los Angeles Library, he established mentoring programs for inner city youth and expanded teenage and youth-at-risk services throughout the Los Angeles library system. He has served on numerous boards and charitable organizations including his current service on the L.A. River Revitalization Corps which is working with Architect Frank Gehry to transform the LA River into one of the largest urban parks in the nation.