txt=GAVIN O'CONNOR (director) started his film career as the co-writer and director of "Tumbleweeds," winner of the Filmmaker's Trophy at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.  Produced by O'Connor's brother, Greg, the film stars Janet McTeer (Golden Globe winner Best Actress, Academy Award%C2%AE Nominee Best Actress) and Kimberly Brown (Independent Spirit Award winner Best Debut Performance).

Following the success of "Tumbleweeds," the O'Connors formed the company Solaris, dedicated to developing numerous projects for film and television, straddling its interest between the studio and indie communities.  Along with partner Tim Chambers and director of development Josh Fagin, the company continues its aggressive growth in the development of both film and television.  The O'Connors' next project is "Pride %26 Glory," a multi-generation family saga revolving around the New York City police force, co-written by Gavin and Joe Carnahan ("Narc"), to be directed by Gavin and produced by Greg.

Among Solaris' many projects in development are "The Mighty Bishops," for the Walt Disney Studios; "SportsTV," for MGM; "The Third Witch," a re-telling of "Macbeth," for New Line; "Safety," a thriller for Revolution Studios; "May God Have Mercy"; "No Zoloft, No Peace"; "Memoir from an Antproof Case"; and "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress," based on the play written by Academy Award%C2%AE-winning screenwriter Alan Ball.

At the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, Solaris premiered Andrew and Alex Smith's film "The Slaughter Rule," starring David Morse, Ryan Gosling, Kelly Lynch and Clea Duvall.  The film was released last year by Cowboy Pictures.  Solaris also produced Stephen Earnhart's documentary "Mule Skinner Blues," released theatrically by the Sundance Channel this past spring, and Barbara Koppel's "My Generation," a documentary about the Woodstock festivals, which premiered on Starz/Encore in 2001.

Under the Solaris television division, the company is developing several projects.  In 2001, Solaris made "Murphy's Dozen," a pilot for the WB Network, which O'Connor co-wrote and directed.  Solaris Television is also developing programs with Endemol, Mandalay Television, and the Oxygen Network.