Black female directors. The film received its world premiere at Sundance in 2023.
Black female directors. Jan 27, 2017 · A BAMcinématek series, “One Way or Another: Black Women’s Cinema 1970-1991,” reminds us that the history of movies is also a history of struggle for equality. Feb 22, 2013 · Adding their unique voices and creative spin on storytelling, these producers and directors are kicking down doors and taking names. Black women have long recognized the power of film for storytelling. During her summer vacations, she would travel Indigenous Program Equity, Impact, & Belonging Producers Program Women at Sundance Institute Short Film Online Courses Attend A film and culture newsletter from Black Women Directors, featuring curated picks, archival gems, and cultural deep dives into the work of Black women and nonbinary filmmakers. feature films, documentaries, some notable shorts & limited series, and visual albums directed by black women across the diaspora (currently searching for more african directors to feature). Black Women Directors is a digital library that celebrates the work of Black women and nonbinary filmmakers from across the African Diaspora. Jun 17, 2022 · Meet the next generation of directing stars pushing the narrative forward for Black women storytellers. Here's a list of the best movies directed by Black women. ^_^ A film symposium hosted by Black Film Club Chicago and Black Women Directors, showcasing short docs and narratives from talented Chicago-based Black filmmakers. ” • Black Debutantes: A Collection of Early Works by Black Women Directors is at BFI Southbank from 1-31 May, with select titles on BFI Player from 5 May. ET Aug 11, 2021 · 10 Black Female Directors Breaking The Trauma Binary From Issa Rae to Karena Evans, these directors are helming dynamic projects with range. May 2, 2025 · Black Debutantes, a new season at BFI Southbank, shines a light on the overlooked early work of Black women in film. 3% of directors in 2024 were women of color. Apr 30, 2025 · Greedily, as a film lover, I want more. She created the award-winning and critically acclaimed limited series When They See Us , and Colin in Black and White . While Black male creative directors have been appointed to lead numerous luxury fashion houses, such as Virgil Abloh and Pharrell for Louis Vuitton Menswear, Ozwald Boateng for Berluti, Olivier Rousteing at Balmain, and Maximilian In 2024, women accounted for **** percent of all movie directors in the United States. Mar 18, 2022 · Black women have long recognized the power of film for storytelling. Black Women Directors is the perfect Tumblr for your summer movie needs, Spark Movement Use this amazing Tumblr to find movies directed by black women, The Culture Sign up for the monthly newsletter. DuVernay also directed Disney's A Wrinkle in Time, making her the first Black female director to helm a movie Check out the Writers Guild Foundation's list of Black-led organizations, collectives, production houses, and lists that are dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black writers, filmmakers, and creatives of color. Her credits include the feature film Selma which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director and an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. The tales showcase an ensemble of familiar faces, and range from stories of compassion and love to reflections on violence and loss. Feb 21, 2020 · 9 Black Filmmaking Pioneers from the Earliest Days of Cinema For Black History Month, we're celebrating the directors, writers, producers, and performers who worked to make sure Black stories were part of the burgeoning American movie industry. I will say though, as sometimes Dec 19, 2023 · To highlight the groundbreaking work of Black directors, Stacker found the top 50 films by Black directors by examining data on all movies in IMDb 's database that were directed by Black directors and had at least 1,000 user votes on IMDb. Celebrating the Black film director visionaries behind the lens who have challenged narratives, redefined genres, and transformed the landscape of cinema. In 2019, she became the first Black woman to receive the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival for her film Clemency, in which Alfre Woodard stars as a prison warden who begins to question the morality of capital punishme Feb 1, 2022 · Recognition of Black women directors' contribution to cinema is long overdue. What they share is a daring artistry that makes them deserving of your time and attention. Rebellion refers to the first African and African-American students who studied film at UCLA. Scruggs, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers. C. Feb 26, 2025 · Along with director Lileana Blain-Cruz, who serves as director for Alliance Theatre’s production of “Bust,” both women have the distinction of being Black female directors who are helming projects penned by Black female playwrights. , Film: Mother Courage and Her Children: State of Siege Mar 20, 2024 · The groundbreaking work of five extraordinary Black women directors who are reshaping the cinema landscape with their authentic narratives. May 29, 2019 · For decades, Hollywood’s excuse was that they just couldn’t find Black female directors. com or fill out the form. The film received its world premiere at Sundance in 2023. After working on other projects, most notably directing two episodes of the British thriller series Top Boy in 2019 Sep 20, 2024 · Celebrating the Black film director visionaries behind the lens who have challenged narratives, redefined genres, and transformed the landscape of […] May 17, 2025 · One writer details the industry's lack of support for Black women and points to the current titans in fashion: Tracy Reese, Grace Wales Bonner, and others. 1, 2016, 11:30 a. How long will it be before black Mar 23, 2024 · These are some of the most prolific and promising Black directors coming up in the business today, and why people should be paying attention to them. Feb 19, 2010 · Hollywood’s most overlooked resource: black female directors OPINION - It took 74 years for the Academy Awards to acknowledge a black female as best actress. Movies are ranked by IMDb user rating, with ties broken by the number of IMDb votes. Williams [2] was called the first Black woman filmmaker for her work on The Watch Hamri on the set of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. In 2020 she made her directorial debut with Bruised , in which she starred as a down-on-her-luck MMA fighter. This book remedies this omission by highlighting the trajectory of the culturally significant work of Black women directors in the United States, from the under-examined pioneers of May 31, 2020 · Female directors are finally starting to get the recognition they've earned, and we've put together a list of the best female directors working today. He started to hear a common refrain, and saw an opportunity for leadership. In 1986, she became the first African American female sitcom director in history for her work on the show What’s Happening Now. That’s exactly what these 10 Black women are doing, whether on the set of cable and network TV shows or feature […] Mar 9, 2022 · Now, Black women in powerful positions—from directors’ chairs to C-suites—are presenting fresh narratives and taking their rightful place in the field. Black Feb 28, 2022 · These films — starring and directed by Black women across the diaspora — feature tales of love, self-discovery, and adventure. In 2012, she wrote, directed and co-produced Good Country People, which was shot MOON is an independent filmmaker based in Atlanta, known for her viral, award-winning fantasy series Juju: The Web Series . This list features 10 essential films that span decades, genres, and perspectives. DuVernay made history with “Selma” (2014), as the first Black female director to have her film nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. Mar 18, 2025 · Black women filmmakers are transforming American cinema with distinctive voices and groundbreaking achievements despite persistent industry barriers. Raine Allen-Miller Allen-Miller’s directorial debut romantic-comedy, Rye Lane, is hilarious with masterful charm. But this Saturday in Toronto, Harbourfront Centre's Kuumba Festival is presenting a showcase of short films by Karen Chapman Aug 6, 2020 · Mothers, lovers and others: films by Black British female directors For the October 1989 Monthly Film Bulletin, Karen Alexander traces the wayward paths leading to new films by four Black British women directors – Martina Attille, Maureen Blackwood, Gurinder Chadha and Ngozi Onwurah. Araeia (a-ray-uh) Robinson is a Philly bred, LA based director, writer and graduate of Temple University's School of Film & Media Arts. Since 2018, she has written, directed, and produced acclaimed s Winter Coleman is a writer and director whose debut short film An Almost Successful Dating App Love Story , starring Olivia Washington, premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Feb 19, 2025 · This Black History Month and beyond, it’s important to spotlight the work of Black female directors, a historically underrepresented group in Hollywood — only 5. Films — Black Women Directors Mar 16, 2022 · Spread the loveAs we’ve seen with cult horror flicks like Karyn Kusama’s Jennifer’s Body and Ana Lily Amirpour’s A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, female filmmakers bring a much-needed female perspective to the horror genre, exploring social issues like body image, female sexuality, and motherhood. Alice Diop is a Senegalese-French writer and director from the suburbs of Paris. com Black Women Directors Won A Webby Award! Danielle A. He was talking to Karen Azenberg, the this list is a part of a bigger project for next summer. Among them: a disabled beggar quarrels with a woman and ruins her shoes with his wheelchair, provoking onlookers to wrath and pity Aug 7, 2020 · With all the extra time at home due to social distancing and stay-at-home orders, now’s the perfect opportunity to rummage through Netflix and binge-watch movies and TV shows. This evolving archive exists to honor their contributions, amplify their voices, and increase their visibility in an industry that has long overlooked them. ( Selma , 2014). Mar 29, 2024 · Even though there’s been a lot of talk about the Academy Awards trying to be more diverse, the fact remains that it’s still very difficult for movies directed by Black women to be nominated for Oscars. A. Jul 30, 2024 · Black directors like Spike Lee, Ava DuVernay, Ryan Coogler, and the late John Singleton have made an impressive impact on modern cinema and its advancements. African American cinema evolved at just about the same pace as white cinema, and although the role of Black women in early silent film has only recently begun to receive popular and academic attention, Black women were involved in Black cinema from the very start of American film history. Allen guides me through the standard litany: in an industry run by Feb 10, 2017 · The chance to see work by African-Canadian female filmmakers is rare. Feb 24, 2021 · Ideally, entertainment both roves and reflects. As a project worked its way through big and small screen studios, the same names—belonging to white Apr 19, 2025 · Despite facing systemic barriers in the industry, Black women directors continue to break ground behind the camera. Whether you’re a new viewer or a longtime supporter, these works are a vital starting point. As a horror fan and an aspiring screenwriter, I want to Feb 19, 2021 · Over the last 100 years, there have been Black filmmakers paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse industry. Aug 8, 2020 · Black female directors continue to break boundaries in the industry, though this development has been a long time coming and many are under-recognized. S. May 1, 2025 · The grainy, sun-drenched cinematography captures Oakland’s Black community, both threatened and vibrant, while Smith’s narrative holds space for grief, survival, and joy. In 2005, with Disney's Herbie: Fully Loaded, she became only the third Black woman ever to direct a feature film produced by a major film studio after Darnell Martin with I Like It Like That for Columbia Pictures in 1994 and Euzhan Palcy with A Dry White Season for MGM in 1989. Nov 13, 2020 · Lists 20 Powerhouse Women Directors Theatre Fans and Industry Pros Alike Need to Know These directors are making waves in the field—and none of them have yet directed for Broadway. Cheryl Dunye is the director of the critically acclaimed indie film Watermelon Woman and several other feature-length films, shorts, and episodic television. [9] The surname of her biological father, Joseph Marcel DuVernay III, originates with Louisiana Creole ancestry. So, in this article, we celebrate remarkable men and women who have managed to withstand the winds of change and break free from the shackles of stereotypes; all while leaving an indelible mark in the world of cinema. [1] In their own day, Maria P. Jan 31, 2021 · 15 Up-and-Coming Black Directors Set To Shape the Future of Hollywood Robert Daniels spotlights some of the most innovative and exciting names in filmmaking today, armed with just-released wonders (Judas and the Black Messiah), indie standouts, and mammoth franchise entries coming right up. ZINE Buy Our First-Ever Zine! Directed By: Stories of Memory, Place & Belonging is a 16-page zine featuring original writing and collages related to four films directed by Black women, all connected by their views on memory, belonging, and self-possession: It Was All A Dream, Compensation, Mountains, and Naked Acts. Oct 9, 2013 · In the first decades of the twentieth century, five African-American women filmmakers helped to establish the US cinema industry and to better the representation of African-Americans on film. While we’ve got a long way to go to rectify this, these 10 Black women filmmakers have helped define the cinema of today and propel it into the future. This Black History Month, we’re honored […] Mar 30, 2023 · If people wonder why it’s so difficult for Black women directors to get nominated for Oscars and other major movie awards, part of the problem is a very small number of Black women film directors have movies released in theaters. Nia DaCosta is a filmmaker based in New York, NY. Feb 18, 2025 · I spend a lot of time looking for Black women horror directors. She made two dozen films from the early 1970s until her death in 2020 from COVID-19 complications. Felix Gary Gray is an African-American music video director, film producer and film director from New York City known for directing films such as Friday, Men in Black: International, Be Cool, The Fate of the Furious, Set It Off, The Negotiator, Straight Outta Compton and The Italian Job. The accomplishments in film and television that followed in the 1970s widely consisted of a string of Black women directors, such as Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust), Alile Sharon Larkin, Fronza Woods, and Jacqueline Shearer (Eyes on the Prize). Contessa’s award-winning feature documentary-visual album, Songs from the Hole Feb 28, 2025 · Cinema Junkie presents a special Midday Movies honoring Black women on screen and behind the camera. Jan 1, 2025 · The report from USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative looked at the number of women and people of color directing last year's top-grossing movies. Through their collective efforts Jun 4, 2025 · Black Women Directors founder Danielle A. Before landing in Los Angeles, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in African American Studies and Sociology from Flor Tanya Hamilton directed the 2011 period drama Night Catches Us , starring Kerry Washington and Anthony Mackie as former Black Panthers. Caroline Renard is a first-generation Haitian-American screenwriter and director from Miami, Florida, who grew up as the youngest of five in a lively Caribbean family. Where to watch: Criterion Channel What films are inspiring you this January? Let me know in the comments or email me. Jan 20, 2023 · Women have been a fundamental part of the movie industry since the very beginning -- here are 20 female filmmakers that you absolutely need to know. In 2022 she released her first narrative feature film, Saint Omer, based on the true story of a Senegalese woman who stood trial for infanticide in France. While you’re searching for content, you should definitely take the time to check out Black women directors who are creating powerful and compelling narratives. Jun 11, 2020 · Add these great movies made by Black female directors, including Ava DuVernay and Melina Matsoukas, to your must-watch list. Oct 30, 2020 · Stage to Page Black Broadway Producers You Should Know If we want more diverse stories, more representative casting, more inclusive staffs, it begins with producers. She rose to prominence when she made her feature-length debut as a writer and director with the crime thriller film Little Woods (2018), winning the Nora Ephron Prize for Female Filmmakers at the Tribeca Film Festival. DaCosta becomes the fourth woman to direct a MCU film, and the first Black female director to do so, a difficult task that has been well earned. DuVernay also directed the first theatrical film adaptatio Dee Rees is an award-winning filmmaker and writer whose films, including the Academy Award-nominated historical epic Mudbound , explore a wide variety of subjects, including Black womanhood, history, and conflict. She has four siblings. We illuminate the names behind Feb 8, 2023 · This list of Black directors would not be complete without Ava DuVernay. Her work draws from her Chinese Jamaican heritage and experience as a young mother and Black Woman in America. Feb 24, 2025 · On a Wednesday afternoon before curtain, theater director Ibi Owolabi is excited to share the call she received from her mother five minutes previously about a surprise television appearance on […] Nia DaCosta (born November 8, 1989) is an American filmmaker. Black Debutantes: A Collection of Early Works by Black Women Directors takes place at BFI Southbank from 1 – 31 May 2025, with select titles on BFI Player from May 5. As President Donald Trump’s administration rolls back diversity, equity and inclusion and cultural advisory programs, it’s more crucial now than ever to Feb 1, 2016 · 10 Black Female Directors You Need To Have On Your Radar By Olivia Armstrong @ itslivarmstrong Published Feb. Feb 14, 2020 · Black women directors have created some of the most powerful, nuanced, and layered stories of our time. m. This book remedies this omission by highlighting the trajectory of the culturally significant work of Black women directors in the United States, from the under-examined pioneers of Feb 20, 2023 · With that in mind, February is “Black History Month” (at least in America, where I’m from) and until quite recently, it was also “Women in Horror Month” (though as of 2022, the organizers have opted for a more year-long approach). An Emmy award winner, she has also directed episodes many television series, including A Different The landscape of Hollywood has long been dominated by a select few, but in recent years, a wave of Black […] Sep 20, 2024 · Celebrating the Black film directors behind the lens who have challenged narratives, redefined genres, and transformed cinema and movies. At Black Women Directors, we spotlight the work of women and nonbinary filmmakers from across the African Diaspora — building an evolving archive, community resource, and cultural record. Leslie Harris is a filmmaker known for her seminal coming of age film Just Another Girl on the I. She tells stories about identity, socio-political movement, healing, Black liberation and the radical imagination. She also directed the 1998 family drama Down in the Delta, starring Alfre Woodard as a woman in Chicago struggling with addiction who is sent to live with her relatives in Mississippi to piece her life back together. But if you’re looking to break out of your Scorsese-Spielberg-white-male canon rut, or just looking to experience some incredible films from incredible talent, here are nine additional Black Jun 10, 2015 · Here are 19 Black female directors you should know. Jan 3, 2025 · Drylongso (1998) director: Cauleen Smith Why: It’s a poignant, visually fresh look at Black women’s friendship, gender-based violence, and survival — and how the arts can create lifelines for the most vulnerable among us. From indie flicks to bigger budget films, Black female Maggie Betts is a screenwriter and film director. “It felt so right to be able to bring it together,” Owolabi notes. Scruggs opens up about launching and running a digital archive dedicated to films by Black female and nonbinary filmmakers. About this list: So I wanted to make a list to highlight black female directors and writers. Apr 15, 2021 · Last summer her colleague Kareem Fahmy, a director and playwright, was using the downtime of the COVID shutdown—and the support of Theatre Communications Group’s Rising Leaders of Color program —to make calls and take Zoom meetings with artistic directors around the country. Scruggs Noticed Black Female Directors Were Being Overlooked—She Decided to Change That, Marie Claire New Chicago Film Symposium Celebrates And Spotlights Black Filmmakers This Weekend, Block Club Chicago Black girlhood in film: From feeling unseen to showcasing their stories, DirectHer Feb 8, 2018 · Special Features 5 Female Directors On Why the Theatre Industry Struggles With Gender Equality And the simple solution staring us in the face. B. While she has always been more recognized as a director, her brief acting experiences have informed her directorial approach, making her one of the most influential Black female directors in Hollywood. The film, which stars Regina Hall and Zoe Renee, “follows three women struggling to make a place for themselves at an elite New England university almost as ol Jun 23, 2025 · Black filmmakers have changed the landscape of Hollywood by churning out blockbuster hits and critically acclaimed titles over the years. Diop has directed several acclaimed documentaries including We, Towards Tenderness, and The Death of Danton. Whether it's a short film, documentary, or feature-length movie, our screenings offer a platform for talented directors to share their stories and perspectives. Black women and nonbinary directors have long been reshaping cinema—telling stories that are intimate, political, experimental, and unforgettable. This book remedies this omission by highlighting the trajectory of the culturally significant work of Black women directors in the United States, from the under-examined pioneers of Jul 12, 2023 · When it comes to representation of Black women at the highest levels of luxury fashion brands there is a stark disconnect between male and female creative directors. And that way anyone who wanted to watch more films directed by black women could use this as a reference point. With Candyman , DaCosta made history, beco Sarah Maldoror (1929-2020) is one of the first female filmmakers to document the anti-colonial struggle in Africa. Black Women Directors: Neema BarnetteA New York University graduate, Neema Barnette also attended American Film Institute’s prestigious Women’s Directing Program. [10] She grew up in Lynwood, California. Halle Berry is an Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actress with more than 30 years of experience in the film industry. Aug 25, 2025 · A list of 307 films compiled on Letterboxd, including Night Catches Us (2010), Muna (2023), Championne (2022), Speak Up (2017) and Malignant (2021). Euzhan Palcy is a pioneering writer, producer, and filmmaker. Feb 19, 2010 · While reflecting on Black History Month, I began to think about African-American female directors, particularly after Kathryn Bigelow scored a best director Oscar nomination. A monthly dispatch of curated film recs, archive highlights, and cultural commentary. Some of these titles are classics; many more are under-seen gems. Click to read Black Women Directors, by Danielle A. She was also part of the all-women directing team of the OWN drama Queen Sugar . She is the first Black woman director produced by a major film studio (MGM), the only woman to direct Marlon Brando (A Dry White Season), and the first Black director to win the Cesar Award, France's highest film honor, for Sugar Cane Alley. This book remedies this omission by highlighting the trajectory of the culturally significant work of Black women directors in the United States, from the under-examined pioneers of May 10, 2025 · Black Debutantes: A Collection of Early Works by Black Women Directors - film screenings at BFI, London | various dates Harnessing the Latest in AI for Filmmaking with Philip Shane, virtual talk hosted by WIFSFBA | May 17 D. In 2017, Maggie won the Breakthrough Director Award at the Sundance Film Festival for her feature debut, Novitiat Gina Prince-Bythewood is a prolific filmmaker whose work includes the modern-day classics Love and Basketball , Disappearing Acts, and Beyond the Lights . In 2022, her feature-length debut Master premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Ava DuVernay is the first Black woman to direct a film nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award. Her work often concerns themes of race, sexuality, and gender. Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was a world-renowned poet, novelist, essayist, and humanitarian. This book remedies this omission by highlighting the trajectory of the culturally significant work of Black women directors in the United States, from the under-examined pioneers of . She has directed the critically acclaimed modern Western Little Woods , starring Tessa Thompson and Lily James, as well as the reboot of the horror classic Candyman , which was released in 2021. For a Hollywood take on “Why there are no great black women directors” I talk to Candace Allen, who is a founder and board member of Reel Black Women, a forward-looking organization of professional black women behind the camera. In 2024, only one Black female director received an Oscar nomination — and it was for a short film: Mar 18, 2022 · Black women have long recognized the power of film for storytelling. One of the eligibility requirements for most major movie awards is a theatrical release. Feb 20, 2024 · Discover the current best Black directors in Hollywood, celebrated for their groundbreaking films, powerful storytelling, and cultural impact. In recent times, Hollywood trailblazers have made sure the industry amps up the latter and rightfully makes representation a priority, both in front of and behind the camera. Feb 7, 2025 · Discover 8 groundbreaking Black female filmmakers who have shaped Hollywood with their powerful storytelling and unique perspectives. Julie Ethel Dash (born October 22, 1952) is an American filmmaker, music video and commercial director, author, and website producer. Feb 6, 2020 · Dee Rees and the Art of Surviving as a Black Female Director From her Oscar-nominated “Mudbound” to her new foray into blockbuster cinema, she is trying to create a new kind of Hollywood empire. He directed 22 music videos. Viewers should be able to rove through fantastical lands and simultaneously see themselves reflected on-screen. From pioneers like Julie Dash and Euzhan Palcy to modern visionaries like Ava DuVernay and Issa Rae, these directors have made history, broken barriers, and redefined representation on screen. Oct 18, 2012 · And if you are wondering why black female directors need to be lumped together in their own column, the answer is simple – visibility. Angela Robinson is a pioneering director of film and TV. The actual experiences of New York City subway riders are dramatized in a collection of 10 intriguing and very different vignettes. Identifying them Black women and nonbinary directors have long been reshaping cinema—telling stories that are intimate, political, experimental, and unforgettable. Contessa Gayles is an award-winning film director, writer, DP, editor and an Emmy-nominated producer. She also served as the showrunner of Shots Fired , the Fox limited series about the aftermath of a police-involved shooting, starring Sanaa Feb 19, 2025 · This Black History Month and beyond, it’s important to spotlight the work of Black female directors, a historically underrepresented group in Hollywood — only 5. Our specially curated events help you experience the brilliance of Black women and nonbinary filmmakers. To receive the complete version of The Long Wave in your inbox every Wednesday, please subscribe here. It is important to support people who usually get shut out of the industry. R. Born and raised in New York City, she attended Princeton University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. This book remedies this omission by highlighting the trajectory of the culturally significant work of Black women directors in the United States, from the under-examined pioneers of Jan 31, 2020 · Some Black British women directors from the 1990s found, in fact, more job opportunities within the television industry. Feb 1, 2024 · Trailblazers like Ava DuVernay, Regina King, Lisa Cortés and Gina Prince-Bythewood paved the way for these talented women who have used film to influence culture, raise important conversation topics, and bring more representation in front of and behind the camera. Ava Marie DuVernay was born on August 24, 1972, in Long Beach, California. Harris is also the first Black woman director to win the Special Jury Prize Sep 23, 2020 · Women have been directing films from the beginning — Alice Guy is credited with directing one of the world’s first narrative films in 1896. She is an award-winning director, writer, and producer. Get in Touch Email me at blackwomendirectors@gmail. Mar 20, 2024 · The following is a list of five Black women movie directors who are changing the landscape of cinema and how we see ourselves on screen. Rebellion. She is also an avid student of race relations around the world. Therefore, I thought it might be a good project to try some horror films, all new for me, made by Black female directors. Feb 1, 2023 · Black women have made significant contributions to cinema since its early days, and these 10 filmmakers deserve more recognition for paving the way to the future with their unique perspectives. Feb 20, 2024 · For those looking to learn more about the best in Black filmmaking, there are a slew of Black directors who have made masterpieces you need to watch. T which follows the life of an intelligent, brash teenage girl who is thrown for a loop when she discovers she's pregnant. From indie hits to serious blockbusters, projects written and directed by Black women have proven to be essential in contributing a unique cinematic gaze. She was raised by her mother, Darlene (née Sexton), an educator, and her stepfather, Murray Maye. 5 / 11 Julie Dash - Julie Dash is the mother of Black female directors — back in 1982, she became the first Black female director to have a full theatrical release with her masterpiece Daughters Mar 4, 2015 · As her official biography points out, her 1991 debut film Daughters of the Dust broke down barriers for women of color in Hollywood and became the first film by a Black woman to ever receive Nov 1, 2020 · BY MATTHEW ENG | NOVEMBER 1, 2020 A Guide to Essential, Underrated, and Flat-Out Extraordinary Films by Black Women Directors Each day of Black History Month and Women's History Month, we highlighted films by Black women directors. Black movie directors have always been at Jul 15, 2023 · Here are my picks for the best movies made by black directors and filmmakers, which is our way of celebrating underappreciated talents in a white-dominated industry. For far too long, however, the cultural and historical narratives about film have not accounted for the contributions of Black women directors. Dash received her MFA in 1985 at the UCLA Film School and is one of the graduates and filmmakers known as the L. dir: Angela Robinson - 35mm screening at Music Box Theatre, Chicago | May 22 Apr 25, 2025 · Black Debutantes: A Collection of Early Works by Black Women Directors is a celebration of Black women and femme filmmakers who are both underseen and underdiscussed. Heavily influenced by hippie parents and the rich music scene of her hometown, her soulful narrative style centers the power, beauty and intersect Chinonye Chukwu is a Nigerian-American writer, producer, and director. Hamri talks Just Wright Related: 10 Black Female Directors You Should Know Afiya is a film, music and literary lover and critic. The L. In the span of 40 years, Sundance Institute has supported numerous black women artists in telling their stories via labs, grants, and the Genre: Documentary, Location: Bronxville New York Black Women Directors February 16, 2024 Film: Conjure Women, Film: BrotherMen, Film: Mama's Pushcart: Ellen Stewart and 25 Years of La MaMa E. if you’re a writer/director who would like to take part, please contact ashlee@graveyardshiftsisters. Mariama Diallo is a Brooklyn-based writer and director. T. This is in no way a comprehensive list so Jan 11, 2018 · In recent years, we’ve come to realize visibility doesn’t only matter in front of the camera, we need women and people of color behind the scenes calling the shots, particularly from the director’s chair. Horror fans are familiar with names like Kasi Lemmons… I set out to discover how the official and the real reasons for black women’s erasure differ. She holds two diplomas in Philosophy and Dance and is a Scribe at Grandmother Africa. Hailing from different regions of the country, from Kansas City, Missouri, to Montclair, New Jersey, to Washington DC, they were geographically separated but united by a belief that the motion picture was 8 Black Female Movie Directors Leading the Way for More Black Women in Hollywood Film Sign up for the monthly newsletter. E. xueac lhxkpa cbbu ivi qrm xofcn wywqu apuxbla wltsl sfsfuv