Born in the vibrant city of Athens, Greece, where her parents, both fine artists, instilled in her a profound appreciation for the visual arts, Waddell's upbringing laid the foundation for her remarkable storytelling ability. Prior to directing her first full-length feature film, "Brothel" (2008),a cinematic masterpiece distributed by Vanguard Cinema, Waddell honed her craft by directing the critically acclaimed short film "The Mask Maker", which garnered widespread recognition, boasting an impressive twenty film festival selections and a prestigious gold medal for "best short" at the esteemed Chicago International Film Festival.
This remarkable achievement was preceded by Waddell's selection as one of eight talented women to participate in the esteemed Directing Workshop for Women (DWW) at the American Film Institute, a prestigious program that has launched the careers of numerous industry icons. In 2010, Waddell embarked on an ambitious project, completing a feature documentary that brought together ten exceptional Native Americans for an 18-day white water river rafting expedition through the Grand Canyon, a journey that fostered a deep understanding of their unique perspectives and experiences.
Throughout her illustrious career, Waddell has demonstrated her commitment to humanitarian causes, penning and producing several documentaries that shine a light on pressing issues, including Darfur, India, and Israel, in collaboration with Charles Annenberg Weingarten's philanthropic organization explore.org. A graduate of the esteemed USC Film School, Waddell has worn many hats in the industry, serving as a writer, director, and film editor, and has received widespread acclaim for her work, including the award-winning documentary "The Reluctant Muse", which she wrote, directed, and produced, and aired nationally on PBS.
