Female Directors

Céline Sciamma (*1980)

A French director and screenwriter who has mainly worked on films about women. Her last film, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, is even very extreme in that regard, because men are almost inexistent in the film. It is such an inspiring masterpiece that she has certainly become one of the female directors to watch.

Film recommendation: Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Kathryn Bigelow (*1951)

This American director remains the only one who has won an Oscar as best director. This will no doubt change one day, but it is incredible that is has taken so long. Interestingly, her award-winning film, The Hurt Locker, is a very male film in terms of genre, as it deals with a bomb squad during the war in Iraq. Also her film Zero Dark Thirty deals with a war-related plot involving Bin Laden.

Film recommendation: The Hurt Locker (2008)

Ava DuVernay (*1972)

One of the most influential African American filmmakers, who has been involved in many projects related to Civil Rights and racial injustice. DuVernay is also a documentary film maker, and has tackled issues like police brutality and the American prison system in both documentary and feature films.

Film recommendation: Selma (2014)

Lone Scherfig (*1959)

A Danish director who has first been successful with Danish productions, and then also went on to create English films. My favourite of them is An Education, which tells a coming-of-age story of a young girl. 

Film recommendation: An Education (2009)

Greta Gerwig (*1983)

 Starting out as an actress, Greta Gerwig has moved behind the camera in recent years. Besides directing, she's also been writing screenplays. Her most autobiographical film is Lady Bird, but she has also been putting her take on classic Little Women and written and directed several other films. Often works with partner and fellow-director Noah Baumbach.

Film recommendation: Lady Bird (2017)

Patty Jenkins (*1971)

An artist and filmmaker who was hugely successful already with her first feature film Monster, which she also wrote. Since then, she has gone on to direct big productions, most notably the first film about  a female super hero, Wonder Woman (2017).

Film recommendation: Monster (2003)

Lulu Wang (*1983)

A young Chinese-American filmmaker and screenwriter, whose first feature film Posthumous showed her talent. Since then, she has found her voice in a personal film named The Farewell, which addresses more biographical topics and has been critically acclaimed.

Film recommendation: The Farewell (2019)

Sofia Coppola (*1971)

Born into the film business as the daughter of legendary director Francis Ford Coppola. One of the few film female directors to win an important award, even though "only" for writing: The Oscar for the best screenplay for Lost in Translation. Also starred in films in her younger years, such as in The Godfather III.

Film recommendation: Lost in Translation (2003)

Jane Campion (*1954)

A film legend from New Zealand, who has created several masterpieces. She won an Oscar for the best screenplay for The Piano, but was only nominated as a director. She has also been involved in in TV in more recent years, and created other artistic films such as Bright Star about poet John Keats and an adaptation of The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James.

Film recommendation: The Piano (1993)

Olivia Wilde (*1984)

Having become famous as an actress, Olivia Wilde has only recently joined the group of women behind the camera. Having gotten involved with producing and directing some short films, she broke out with the film Booksmart in 2019, which got her a lot of praise. A next project is already in the making, once again with numerous talented young actors.

Film recommendation: Booksmart (2019)