**FREE** PH Awards: THE PITT

Sponsored by HBO Max

THE PITT is a realistic examination of the challenges facing healthcare workers in today’s America as seen through the lens of the frontline heroes working in a modern-day hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Each episode follows an hour of Dr. Robby’s (Wyle) 15-hour shift as the chief attendant in Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital’s emergency room. (Description courtesy of HBO Max)

AMANDA MARSALIS is an Emmy®-nominated film and television director whose background as a celebrated photographer granted her a sharp eye apprised for a medium that would allow her to capture intricacies of her subjects beyond a single frame. A multi-faceted storyteller, Marsalis prides herself on her methodical practicality, which she attributes to her expansive photography career and jet-setting nature, shooting celebrities, faraway locations, and brand campaigns for GQ, VOGUE, and CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER, among other notable publications.

Most recently, she directed four episodes and served as Co-Executive Producer on HBO’s hit medical drama THE PITT, which premiered on January 9th, 2025. Her direction of Episode 12 earned her a 2025 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and drew critical acclaim, with VULTURE calling the craftsmanship “unmatched” and praising how she maintained a relentless, immersive pace while seamlessly guiding viewers through the chaos of the ER. She also directed four episodes of Netflix’s RANSOM CANYON which was released later that year in April—including both the pilot and season finale—and served as Executive Producer. Set in Texas, the Western drama allowed her to bring her visual style to a story rooted in love, connection, and a strong sense of place.

Before launching her television career, Marsalis made her directorial debut with the independent feature ECHO PARK, starring Mamie Gummer. The film premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2016 and was later acquired and distributed by Ava Duvernay’s ARRAY. That collaboration caught the attention of critics and industry leaders alike and led DuVernay to bring Marsalis on to direct her first episode of QUEEN SUGAR.

Marsalis’ signature visual style and the verisimilitude she brings to still and moving imagery alike equipped her to take on directing roles on several hit shows including Netflix’s OZARK and THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Apple TV+’s INVASION, and HBO’s WESTWORLD. She also directed and co-executive produced the pilot of THE CW’s NAOMI and served as a producing director on

FX’s KINDRED, based on the novel by Octavia E. Butler.

Marsalis’ photography career began during her teenage years, when she would photograph punk concerts, yearning to actively participate in a way beyond that of the average concertgoer. A California native, Marsalis stayed local to her home state and attended the California College Of Arts And Crafts, majoring in fine art. Marsalis’ life as a quiet outsider turned wild-teen-punk informed her career as an artist. She is a feminist and finds solace in mentoring and supporting emerging femme talent in search of guidance in an industry that made Marsalis feel empowered and a little less lonely.

She currently resides in Los Angeles with her dog Queso.

Mark Strand, ACE, is a Los Angeles–based editor, director, and producer with over 25 years in television. For The Pitt’s acclaimed first season, he edited 6 of 15 episodes, including the style-setting pilot “7:00 a.m.” and the series-defining “6:00 p.m.,” in which the team responds to a mass-casualty event. His recent credits include The Brothers Sun and Emperor of Ocean Park, with past work on Shameless, Animal Kingdom, and Nip/Tuck. Known for his versatility, Mark’s career spans scripted drama, comedy, documentaries, and reality television. He is currently editing season 2 of The Pitt.