WHM: Women In Film

Alice Guy-Blache:

Alice Guy-Blanche was the first female director and the first woman to create and run a film studio She produced her first film “La Fée aux choux,” translated as “The Cabbage Fairy,” in 1896 and produced around 1,000 films by the end of her career. Guy-Blanche was known for taking risks in her silent films and her ability to bring energy and life to her projects. She started as a secretary for Leon Gaumont and eventually became the head of film production at his company. Guy-Blanche paved the way for other women and film, influencing directing to this day.

Agnes Varda:

Agnes Varda was the first woman to receive an honorary Palme d’Or and the only woman to receive an honorary Oscar for directing. Her films “Le Bonheur,” “Cléo from 5 to 7” and “Vagabond” are critically acclaimed and experiment with genre and realism. Her projects have a very specific visual style that can be easily recognized as her handiwork. Varda’s contributions to the art of filmmaking have made her a pioneer for women in the film industry.

Nora Ephron:

Nora Ephron made considerable contributions to filmmaking. Before directing, she worked as a reporter at the New York Post and was a columnist for Esquire. She eventually began directing her own films including “This Is My Life,” “Sleepless In Seattle,” and “You’ve Got Mail,”. These films are critically acclaimed and considered classics in the world of film. Ephron’s films displayed her distinctive humor and honesty that culminated in her unique style. Today, there is an award named after her at the Tribeca Film festival that celebrates female directors.

Julie Dash:

Julie Dash is a prominent Female African American director whose work has had a profound impact on film. In 1991 Dash’s “Daughters of the Dust” became the first film by an African American woman to be widely released in the United States. It was a part of Dash’s involvement in the “L.A. Rebellion” which was a group of black film school graduates who focused on alternative films. From then on, Dash directed everything from television to music videos and has stayed very involved in film. Her work has paved the way for women of color in the film industry.