With all this talk about popular black male directors like Tyler Perry and Spike Lee, the accomplishments of black female directors (BFDs) often fall to the wayside. Black female directors aren’t exactly household names. Most non-film enthusiasts and even some of the more avid movie-goers would find it difficult to name a few, if any.
These ten names in our “black female film directors you should know” list are by no means an exhaustive list but just a place to start. See the 10 directors below.
1. Julie Dash
Daughters of the Dust (1991)
2. Kasi Lemmons
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Caveman’s Valentine (2001)
Talk to Me (2007)
3. Gina Prince-Bythewood
Love & Basketball (2000)
The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
4. Angela Robinson
Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005)
D.E.B.S. (2005)
5. Euzhan Palcy
A Dry White Season (1989)
6. Darnell Martin
I Like It Like That (1994)
Cadillac Records (2008)
7. Sanaa Hamri
Something New (2006)
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)
Just Wright (2010)
8. Cheryl Dunye
Watermelon Woman (1997)
My Baby’s Daddy (2004)
9. Troy Byer Bailey
Let’s Talk About Sex (1998)
Love Don’t Cost a Thing (2003)
10. Neema Barnette
Civil Brand (2003)
We’ll profile each of these women in later posts. So stay tuned!
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Yei yei! Representing! Women of color… yei yei. Some look like sisters, but, others, ..eehmm, not so sure.
Yei yei, Ann, do they all call ‘emselves sisters?
I’m pretty sure they all do. Most sources have them listed as black or African American.
Erama, Multiracial gals like myself are sisters too.
I want to send you an award for most heflpul internet writer.
Thanks for the post of black women directors; but seriously, Euzhan Palcy should be at the top of the list! Despite being from another country, her film credits both inside & outside of the industry are impressive, and should not go unrecognized.
I don’t think this is in any particular order. All these women directors are great. Great role models, great personalities, great people. Ann, you care about the women. Kudos to filmclique!
Come on now…Ava DuVernay should be on the, “Ten List!” I’m talking about last year’s Sundance winner.
Author Curtis Butler III Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation.
October 15th, 2012 at 9:33 PM
I wrote a book call ‘PTSD MY STORY PLEASE LISTEN”! which stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for military and civilians. I also did a Good Morning America piece which was sent off approximately 5 months ago, call Good Morning America 3 words. How do I get my script to one of these great movie producer? I would love to donate my proceeds to my church Higher Living Christian Church which would consist of 10% tithes and offering, and donating 50% to the Wounded Veterans here in Atlanta, GA. The homeless Veterans, with or with out children, Veterans with AIDS/ HIV, and food banks. Can you assist me. Thank you for everything God Bless..