When you think of filmmakers, who comes to mind? Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola (I’m a Godfather so…)? True, they are all amazingly talented directors, but where are the ladies at?! There are so many female directors that fly under the radar, creating beautifully made, originally scripted, insightful, approachable work that many have never heard of. That ends now! Get your popcorn ready and check out this list for who you should be keeping an eye on:
AVA DUVERNAY
With production credits such as “Queen Sugar” and “Selma” under her belt, Duvernay is on the road to becoming one of the most prolific female director/producers of our time. She is the founder of AFFRM, the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement. She was also named one of “The 100 Most Influential People” by TIME Magazine in 2017 and became a member of the “Official Competition” jury at the 71st Cannes International Film Festival in 2018.
DEBRA MARTIN CHASE
This two-time Emmy nominee recently signed a multi-year first-look deal with Universal Television in 2017. As producer of “The Princess Diaries” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” Chase will be developing original content for network, cable and streaming services, along with pilots and historical projects. She has multiple productions already in progress with ABC and Bravo, and she is focused on bringing new voices to the table.
ELIZABETH KARLSEN
As a featured filmmaker at the BFO London Film Festive, Karlsen has no qualms about her right as a filmmaker. Known mostly for her 2015 film “Carol” and 1992 film “Crying Game,” she works to bring marginalized groups to the forefront by illustrating the need for girls/women to have role models in the industry. Her most recent project, “Colette,” is based on a French woman of the same name who was not given the ability to claim her own work, because she was a woman in the late 19th and early 20th century.
DEDE GARDNER
As the first female producer to win two Oscars for Best Picture – “12 Years a Slave” (2013) and “Moonlight” (2016) – Gardner has already made her mark. However, she continues to search for “inclusive stories” to tell and continuously improving on telling the stories that need to be told. Garner currently serves as executive producer for an FX anthology series, as well as President of Plan B Entertainment, a production company founded by Brad Pitt in 2001.
WANURI KAHIU
Having premiered her work in 2009, presented a short film at the Sundance film festival in 2010, and garnered Best Narrative Feature at the Pan African Film Festival and five awards at the African Movie Academy Awards, Kahiu is blazing her own trail. She has created her own genre of filmmaking, Afrobubblegum, that is unapologetically vibrant and hopeful. Her latest offering, “Rafiki,” tells the story of forbidden love between two women on opposing sides of society.
TINGE KRISHNAN
Named “One to Watch” by Moviescope Magazine in 2008, Krishnan is steadfast in making sure diversity on set is balanced and appreciated. She has steadily impressed with her films – “Groove on a Stanley Knife” (1997), “Shadowscan” (2001) and “Junkhearts” (2011) – and continues to hone her independent point of view. Paying close attention to themes of love and joy, her recent film “Been So Long” brings almost a child-like view to the streets of London.
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