Female filmmakers are taking the reins of their destiny in Hollywood, with many stepping behind the camera and creating stories that are universal to the human condition. But the machine was slow to see these talents recognized at the Oscars, especially in the best director category.
In the 95-year history of the Oscars, 591 films have been nominated for the top Best Picture award. Eighteen of these films were directed by a female director. Although preposterous in its sheer statistic, we are seeing an increase in the number of female-led stories being told and gaining notoriety.
For the 2023 Oscars, highlights for women include:
The best wink for “Women Talking” represents the seventh for Dede Gardner (and the sixth for Jeremy Kleiner). Together they won the award for ’12 Years a Slave’ (2013) and ‘Moonlight’ (2016), and shared the names ‘Selma’ (2014), ‘The Big Short’ (2015) and ‘Vice’. (2018) . Gardner was also nominated for “The Tree of Life” (2011). Also a producer, Frances McDormand received her second Best Picture nomination, previously winning for “Nomadland” (2020).
Although not directed by a woman, ‘Elvis’ producer Catherine Martin becomes the seventh woman to be nominated in three or more award categories after Jane Campion, Sofia Coppola, Emerald Fennell, Barbra Streisand, Fran Walsh and Chloe Zhao (4). Martin is also nominated for production design and costume design. Mandy Walker, the DP of “Elvis”, is the third woman nominated for cinematography after Rachel Morrison (“Mudbound”) and Ari Wegner (“The Power of the Dog”).
The late Lina Wertmüller, who became the first female Oscar nominee for directing with ‘Seven Beauties’ (1975), was a category pioneer in what is arguably one of the strongest cinematic years in history. ‘Academy. However, his film ultimately failed to land one of the coveted five spots for Best Picture, in favor of eventual winners “Rocky”, “All the President’s Men”, “Bound for Glory”, “Network” and “Taxi Driver”. The first film won’t be released until Randa Haines’ “Children of a Lesser God” (1986).
Below, find the 19 films directed by women nominated for best picture.