2000-2015

I became involved with the Santa Barbara Legal Defense Center, primarily handling serious cases, many of which involved the homeless. A lighter moment occurred after I was voted onto the board – my induction ceremony in Las Vegas.

Pictured with Kevin, Robert, and Rogelio. Our fearless leader, Will Hastings, is out of the frame.

Fighting City Hall to save a local landmark, The 8th Street Bridge became my film-directing debut.

“The 8th St. Bridge” subtly raises a series of issues and questions quite surprising in their depth and breadth, touching upon the nature of time, change, nature, beauty, community and power. In its simplicity it reminds me of American writers like Willa Cather and Sherwood Anderson; the simplicity and quietness of its vision, like theirs, opens out into complex issues at the heart of our shared American experience.”

– Peter Marin, Author and Essayist

The next film I directed was the politically themed Occupy Santa Barbara.

“Duffy Hecht has an eye for all matters big and small about Santa Barbara — and even found the beating heart of the Occupy movement.”

– A L Bardach / Daily Beast, Author Without Fidel

We had a standing-room-only crowd for Truth Be Told, a documentary I co-produced and co-directed to celebrate Carpinteria’s 50th Anniversary.

Pictured with Al and Kathleen, co-filmmakers on Truth Be Told.