In 1980, Hoffs was chosen to participate in the prestigious AFI Directing Workshop for Women. Her directorial debut was the short comedy, "The Haircut" (Universal Studios, 1983), starring John Cassavetes, an official selection of the 1983 Cannes Film Festival, (Un Certain Regard), Toronto International Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival, and receiving a commendation from Robert Redford, Sundance Institute.