Despite the vast minority of female directors, there have been a number of best women directors who have made a mark in the film industry.
Despite the fact that women have been making films for over a century, they are still vastly underrepresented in the film industry. According to a recent study by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, only 16% of the top 100 grossing films of 2021 were directed by women.
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The Best Women Directors of the 21st Century
1. Patty Jenkins
Patty Jenkins is a force to be reckoned with and is top of our list of best women directors. She is the director of the Wonder Woman films, which have grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Jenkins is also the first woman to direct a superhero film that has grossed over $100 million.
Jenkins’s films are known for their strong female characters and their empowering messages. She is a role model for female directors everywhere, and she is sure to continue to make waves in the film industry.
2. Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay is a critically acclaimed filmmaker who has made a name for herself by telling stories about the Black experience in America. Her films, such as Selma and 13th, have been praised for their honesty and their powerful messages.
DuVernay is a pioneer in the film industry, and she is paving the way for other female directors of color. As an inspiration to many, she is sure to continue to make great films in the years to come.
These are the second example of the best women directors of the 21st century.
3. Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig is one of the most exciting new voices in cinema. Her films, such as Lady Bird and Little Women, are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
They are known for their sharp wit, their nuanced portrayals of female characters, and their unconventional structure.
4. Chloe Zhao
Chloe Zhao is another one of the best women directors of the 21st century making waves in Hollywood.
Her film Nomadland won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2021, making Zhao the second woman to win the award for Best Director. She is also the first woman of color to be nominated for the award twice.
Zhao directs films that have stunning visuals, intimate character studies, and their exploration of the American West.
5. Kathryn Bigelow
Kathryn Bigelow is a trailblazing director who broke down barriers when she became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director for The Hurt Locker in 2009.
She is the only woman to have won the Academy Award for Best Director for her film, The Hurt Locker. Her other films include Point Break and Zero Dark Thirty.
When you watch Bigelow’s films, you’ll be impressed with the intense action sequences and unflinching portrayals of violence
6. Sofia Coppola
Last on this list of best women directors of the 21st century is Sofia Coppola. She is actually a cult favorite director who has made a name for herself with her stylish, atmospheric films.
Her films, such as The Virgin Suicides and Lost in Translation, are directed with dreamy visuals, and a wistful tone
Conclusion
That’s all on the best women directors making their mark on the film industry. These women are breaking barriers, challenging the status quo, and creating some of the most acclaimed films of the past decade.
With more opportunities and support, these women will continue to make their mark on the film industry.
