Sunday, September 1, 2019

30 Best Films Directed By Women of Color

Jessie Maple, a Black director and cinematographer, is one of the first African American directors to release a full-length feature film. 
September kicks off the official Directed By Women celebration— a much needed way of highlighting the problematic film industry which still presents white male directors as the privilege key holders to the filmmaking gate. Directed By Women purposely breaks away from the male domination to open up the closed box, showcasing the nuanced stories women behind the camera (and often times behind the pen) portray in their respective films. Time and time again, women directors have masterly proven to take down drama, romance, comedy, horror, and other genres with the “best” white filmmaker. They have the ability to add unique layers often undervalued by the gritty (sexist/racist) awards season.
Although a women’s film renaissance seems to be rising (or falling) every year, there remains an evidenced hard-working ethic that continues to emerge forward despite the stacked uneven odds.
Now while perusing several “Best Women Directed” lists today, some solid films by women of color were left behind. All women have a difficult path to getting films made, especially Black, Asian, Latino, Middle Eastern directors. Thus, this compiled list contains a number of theatrical releases, some limited showings, and few television films.



30. Kung Fu Panda by Jennifer Yuh Nelson



29. Just Another Girl on the I. R. T. by Leslie Harris




28. Wadjda by Haifaa Al Mansour



27. Night Catches Us by Tanya Hamilton




26. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Darnell Martin



25. Treeless Mountain by So Yong Kim




24. Eve’s Bayou by Kasi Lemmons



23. Ayiti Mon Amour by Guetty Felin



22. I Will Follow by Ava DuVernay



21. Belle by Amma Asante



20. In Between Days by So Yong Kim



19. Rafiki by Wanuri Kahiu



18. Long Life, Happiness, and Prosperity by Mina Shum



17. Bend it Like Beckham by Gurinder Chadha



16. The Watermelon Woman by Cheryl Dunye



15. I Like It Like That by Darnell Martin



14. Mississippi Damned by Tina Mabry



13. Real Women Have Curves by Patricia Cardoso



12. Queen of Katwe by Mira Nair




11. Selma by Ava DuVernay



10. The Rider by ChloĆ© Zhao


9. Losing Ground by Kathleen Collins



8. Monsoon Wedding by Mira Nair




7. Love and Basketball by Gina Prince-Blythewood





6. Double Happiness by Mina Shum



5. Down on the Delta by Maya Angelou


4. Pariah by Dee Rees

3. I Am Not a Witch by Rungano Nyoni


2. Middle of Nowhere by Ava DuVernay



1. Daughters of the Dust by Julie Dash

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