I've already heard so many "Well, actually" comments on this hell-site from people insisting that the Globes/BAFTAs/Oscars just didn't have any women to choose from for the Best Director category.
Bless. You want to play that game? Okay, I'm in. I've got time.
Bless. You want to play that game? Okay, I'm in. I've got time.
Off the top of my damn head, here are women directors who knocked it out of the park in 2019 and fully deserve to be considered the best in their field for any and all awards ceremonies.
LULU WANG: THE FAREWELL.
Screened in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section at Sundance 2019. It made back over 6 times its budget.
Screened in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section at Sundance 2019. It made back over 6 times its budget.
ALMA HAR'EL: HONEY BOY.
Another one that premiered at Sundance (where they actively try for gender parity with their directorial choices.) Har'el is nominated for Best Director at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Another one that premiered at Sundance (where they actively try for gender parity with their directorial choices.) Har'el is nominated for Best Director at the Independent Spirit Awards.
CHINONYE CHUKWU: CLEMENCY.
Winner of the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Chukwu is also nominated for Best Screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards.
Winner of the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Chukwu is also nominated for Best Screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards.
LORENE SCAFARIA: HUSTLERS.
It's made over $157 million worldwide so far. Scafaria is nominated for Best Director at the Independent Spirit Awards.
It's made over $157 million worldwide so far. Scafaria is nominated for Best Director at the Independent Spirit Awards.
MARIELLE HELLER: A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
Honestly, Heller has the potential to be THE director of the 2020s. Her work is consistently excellent, subtly drawn & unique in ways that prove delightfully unexpected. Stop overlooking her!
Honestly, Heller has the potential to be THE director of the 2020s. Her work is consistently excellent, subtly drawn & unique in ways that prove delightfully unexpected. Stop overlooking her!
JOANNA HOGG: THE SOUVENIR.
Nominated for 8 British Independent Film Awards, including Best Director. Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.
Nominated for 8 British Independent Film Awards, including Best Director. Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.
CELINE SCIAMMA: PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE.
Won Best Screenplay at Cannes. Nominated for Independent Spirit Awards, Golden Globes, European Film Awards, and many more!
Won Best Screenplay at Cannes. Nominated for Independent Spirit Awards, Golden Globes, European Film Awards, and many more!
OLIVIA WILDE: BOOKSMART.
It's faring well in screenplay categories - as it should - but give Wilde her due credit. For a directorial debut, she knocked this out of the dang park!
It's faring well in screenplay categories - as it should - but give Wilde her due credit. For a directorial debut, she knocked this out of the dang park!
KASI LEMMONS: HARRIET.
On top of helming one of the best debut movies of the '90s (seriously, Eve's Bayou is perfect), Lemmons finally helped bring Tubman's story to the big screen.
On top of helming one of the best debut movies of the '90s (seriously, Eve's Bayou is perfect), Lemmons finally helped bring Tubman's story to the big screen.
MATI DIOP: ATLANTICS.
The 1st black female director to compete for the Palme d'Or and the winner of the Grand Prix. Selected as the Senegalese entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars.
The 1st black female director to compete for the Palme d'Or and the winner of the Grand Prix. Selected as the Senegalese entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Oscars.
MELINA MATSOUKAS: QUEEN AND SLIM.
Made over double its budget back. Matsoukas won Best Directorial Debut from the National Board of Review.
Made over double its budget back. Matsoukas won Best Directorial Debut from the National Board of Review.
GRETA GERWIG: LITTLE WOMEN.
What is there left to say about Gerwig? Only the fifth female nominee for Best Director in over 90 years, she absolutely killed it once more by taking on a beloved classic and reviving it for a new generation.
What is there left to say about Gerwig? Only the fifth female nominee for Best Director in over 90 years, she absolutely killed it once more by taking on a beloved classic and reviving it for a new generation.
And these were just names I could remember off the top of my head. I know I've missed some and will have to check later, but come on, no women directors to nominate in 2019? Try harder.
Obligatory "hey this thread blew up" follow-up tweet.
Want to do something good? Donate to Transform, a wonderful charity dedicated to providing clothing to transgender kids and teens, run by the amazing @cincinnancy!
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Want to do something good? Donate to Transform, a wonderful charity dedicated to providing clothing to transgender kids and teens, run by the amazing @cincinnancy!
secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=He7kLw
