I cannot recall the last time a day went by that I did not think about at least one movie. Film is ingrained in our daily lives. We all keep lists of our favorites scenes and actors stored in our heads, waiting to be discussed. However, we so rarely consider the people making our favorite flicks: Who designed the costumes, who picked the locations, who chose how to film it?
While the acting is an absolutely vital part of every film, the work pre and post-production is where most of the movie magic happens. Unfortunately, even this aspect of filmmaking is a male-dominated field. For example, only five female directors have ever been nominated for Best Director and only one has won.
More and more women are punching holes in the glass ceiling. Recently, at the Cannes Film Festival, Cate Blanchett was among the 82 women who stood in silent protest on the red carpet. They represented the 82 films directed by women that have selected to compete in the contest since its founding while over 1,600 have been directed by men. Every day we are making strides for equality and for more people's voices to be heard.
1. Greta Gerwig
The young Ms. Gerwig has already made a name for herself in the industry. This past year, her first solo directorial debut Lady Bird was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture. Although the piece did not win any Oscars, Gerwig made history by becoming the fifth women to ever be nominated as Best Director.
2. Ava DuVernay
DuVernay has been making waves, as the first black female director to win at Sundance Film Festival, be nominated for a Golden Globe, and have her film be nominated for Best Picture and Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars. She is known for her work on Selma, 13th, and A Wrinkle In Time.
3. Sofia Coppola
Daughter of the famous filmmaker Frances Ford Coppola, she is no stranger to Hollywood. Coppola is a writer, director, and producer and has received Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture, making her the third woman ever to do so. She is known for The Virgin Suicides, Marie Antoinette, Lost in Translation, and The Bling Ring.
4. Mad Max: Fury Road Crew
Mad Max was widely considered one of the best films of 2015. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won 6. Many of the wins were thanks to the work of women; Margaret Sixel for Best Film Editing, Lesley Vanderwalt and Elka Wardega (with Damian Martin) for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Lisa Thompson – Set Decoration (with Colin Gibson – Production Design) for Best Production Design.
5. Kristen Anderson-Lopez
You may not know her name but you most certainly know her work. Anderson-Lopez is the part of the songwriter duo behind Frozen and Coco. She and her husband have worked together on several Disney productions. "Let it Go" and "Remember Me" both won Oscars for Best Original Song.
6. Dede Gardner
Gardner's work as a film producer is rather impressive. She produced The Big Short, Selma, 12 Years a Slave, and Moonlight. The last two both won Best Picture at the Academy Awards making her the first female producer to win two awards in that category.
7. Adele Romanski
Romanski is also a film producer. She worked alongside Garner to make Moonlight. In addition, she is a writer and director herself. She has served on the Berlin Film Festival Jury, as well.
8. Joanna Natasegara
Natasegara is a British film director and producer. She is best known for her work on documentary pieces like Virunga and The Price of Kings. She won an Oscar for The White Helmets in the area of Best Documentary Short.
9. Patty Jenkins
Wonder Woman was the superhero blockbuster of 2017 and was directed by Jenkins. The movie broke records becoming the sixth highest-grossing superhero movie domestically and the tenth highest-grossing film of the year.
10. Kathryn Bigelow
Bigelow is a writer, director, and producer. She is known for Point Break, The Hurt Locker, and Detroit. The is the first and only woman to have won an Academy Award for Best Picture.
