Chloé Zhao’s work in the western film Nomadland was so extraordinary that she won Best Director for it, making her the second woman and first woman of colour to win the honour. The movie also earned her Golden Globes and Directors Guild of America Awards accolades: not bad for her third-ever directing venture! She followed that up with 2021’s Marvel film Eternals and is most definitely the one to watch in the female directing space for the future.

NIA DACOSTA

If her work history is anything to go by, then Nia DaCosta is also one to watch for the future. She made her directorial debut in the 2018 crime thriller Little Women before directing Candyman, the sequel to the 1992 classic. Her achievements also include being the youngest filmmaker to direct a Marvel movie when she signed on the direct The Marvels, which will be released later this year.

MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL

We all know and love Maggie Gyllenhaal as an actor, but she proved she also had a good eye for directing with the 2021 movie The Lost Daughter, which premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, where she won the gong for Best Screenplay Award, as well as a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 94th Academy Awards. We cannot wait to see what project she directs next!

The 18 best female directors working in Hollywood today