Nancy Littlefield started her career in the entertainment industry in the 1950's as a casting director on shows like Father Knows Best and Rin Tin Tin for Screen Gems Productions in New York. She went on to become an assistant director and worked on musical segments for The Patti Page Show. In 1963, while working as a 2nd AD and AD on the Patty Duke Show, she joined the DGA, becoming the first female assistant director in the Guild. She also worked as an AD on The Defenders and The Nurses, then moved to Los Angeles where she began directing. Her documentary special for PBS, And Baby Makes Two won an Emmy. Littlefield returned to New York and became the Director of Mayor Ed Koch’s Office of Film, Theater, and Broadcasting.
During her tenure from 1979 to 1983, she was instrumental in fostering cooperation between the city and film companies and was noted for bringing production back to New York City and revitalizing the local economy. After leaving this position, she joined Queens Public Television, where she served as executive director for 20 years. In 2003, she published Movies and Television, Getting in: The Ins and Outs and Ups and Downs to demystify the business for young filmmakers.
Nancy Littlefield served on the National Board from 1973-1975 and from 1987-1999, including two terms as Sixth Vice President from 1993-1995 and 1997-1999 and a term as Fourth Vice President from 1995-1997. She also served on the Eastern AD/UPM Council from 1971-1985 and on the Easter Directors Council from 1987-2000. In addition, Littlefield was a member of the Guild's Eastern Region Negotiating Committee, a member of the DGA Honors Committee and was a Trustee for the DGA's Assistant Director Training Program.
Littlefield passed away in August 2007.