Honoring Women Trailblazers in TV and Film | Part 3 of 3

In recognition of Women’s History month, we wrap up our three-part series honoring women trailblazers in the TV and film industry with a look at notable directors and screenwriters who create magic behind the camera.

DIRECTORS

Women have been making strides in the director’s chair over the last two decades. In December, the world lost Lina Wertmüller, who in 1976 became the first woman director nominated for an Oscar for her film “Seven Beauties.” Since then, six women have been nominated and two have won the industry’s top prize – Kathryn Bigelow for 2009’s “The Hurt Locker” and Chloé Zhao for 2021’s “Nomadland.”

This year, Jane Campion is expected to become the third woman to win, and her film “The Power of the Dog” leads all nominees with 12 nods including Best Picture. She was first nominated for 1993’s “The Piano.” The other women with nominations are Sofia Coppola for 2003’s “Lost in Translation, ‘Greta Gerwig for 2017’s “Lady Bird,” and Emerald Fennell for 2020’s “Promising Young Woman.” Coppola and Fennell won Oscars for their original screenplays.

Over the last decade, women have found greater opportunities to direct high-profile films. In 2014, Ava DuVernay became the first Black woman to direct a film nominated for Best Picture with “Selma.” Two years later, she earned an Oscar nomination for her documentary “13th.” Patty Jenkins directed 2017’s hugely popular “Wonder Woman” as well as its sequel. She also won several industry awards for her critically acclaimed 2003 film “Monster.”

Nia DaCosta has had a busy couple of years. She directed last year’s reboot of “Candyman” and the highly anticipated “The Marvels,” coming in 2023. Maggie Gyllenhaal is earning critical praise for her directorial debut “The Lost Daughter,” which is up for three Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Gyllenhaal. Marielle Heller has won over audiences with two popular and critically acclaimed biopics – 2018’s “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” and 2019’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.”

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but other talented directors we must mention include: Elaine May, Ida Lupino, Penny Marshall, Nancy Meyers, Amy Heckerling, and Penelope Spheeris.

SCREENWRITERS

Last but certainly not least are the women screenwriters who have brought heartfelt and hilarious stories to the big screen. The beloved Nora Ephron is tied as the most nominated woman screenwriter at the Oscars. She achieved nods for three films: 1983’s “Silkwood,” 1989’s immensely popular “When Harry Met Sally” (which won the BAFTA Award), and 1993’s “Sleepless in Seattle.” In 2013, the Tribeca Film Festival launched the Nora Ephron Prize, which recognizes a woman writer or director who embodies Ephron’s spirit and vision. The previously mentioned Nia DaCosta won the award for her directorial debut, 2018’s “Little Woods.”

Tied with Ephron is Ruth Gordon, who movie fans likely know better for her work in front of the camera. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for 1968’s “Rosemary’s Baby,” but decades earlier she earned nominations for three original screenplays co-written with her husband, Garson Kanin: 1947’s “A Double Life,” 1950’s “Adam’s Rib,” and 1952’s “Pat and Mike.”

As previously mentioned, Sofia Coppola and Emerald Fennell have each won the Oscar for their original screenplays, and both women also won the Writers Guild of America (WGA) award for their films mentioned above. Diablo Cody also won both awards for 2006’s coming-of-age comedy “Juno.”

Switching from original to adapted screenplays, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala earned three nominations and two wins at the Oscars during her career. She was well-known for her work with Merchant Ivory Productions, winning for 1986’s “A Room with a View” and 1992’s “Howards End.” She was also nominated for 1993’s “The Remains of the Day.” She additionally earned one win from four nominations at the BAFTA Awards and is the most nominated woman screenwriter by the WGA, with one win on three nominations. She also received the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement, which is a lifetime achievement award granted by the WGA. Other recipients include the before-mentioned directors/screenwriters Elaine May and Nancy Meyers.

If you have not seen all of the films mentioned above, then please add them to your watch list. We are honored to celebrate Women’s History Month and recognize the trailblazers in our industry. We cannot wait to see more women make history in the entertainment industry. And best of luck to Jane Campion, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ari Wegner, and Pamela Martin at this year’s Oscars!