Black Female Directors

20 of our favorite Black women behind the camera.

Gina Prince-Bythewood - Gina Prince-Bythewood has cemented her legacy as an accomplished, trailblazing filmmaker. The 50-year-old directed cult classics Love & Basketball, Beyond The Lights and The Secret Life of Bees. (Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage) 

1 / 20

Gina Prince-Bythewood - Gina Prince-Bythewood has cemented her legacy as an accomplished, trailblazing filmmaker. The 50-year-old directed cult classics Love & Basketball, Beyond The Lights and The Secret Life of Bees. (Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage) 

Amma Asante - From unveiling a character in front of the camera to providing insight from behind the lens, Amma Asante has directed critically acclaimed movies including A Way of Life and A United Kingdom starring David Oyelowo. Following in the steps of Ngozi Onwurah, the screenwriter is the second Black British woman to direct a movie granted theatrical release in the United Kingdom. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images) 

2 / 20

Amma Asante - From unveiling a character in front of the camera to providing insight from behind the lens, Amma Asante has directed critically acclaimed movies including A Way of Life and A United Kingdom starring David Oyelowo. Following in the steps of Ngozi Onwurah, the screenwriter is the second Black British woman to direct a movie granted theatrical release in the United Kingdom. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images) 

Mara Brock Akil - American screenwriter, producer and director Mara Brock Akil, best known for the UPN series Girlfriends and its hit spin-off, The Game, continues to be a directing heavyweight in Hollywood. The Northwestern University alumna went on to create BET’s Being Mary Jane, for which she won two NAACP Image Awards in 2014 and 2016 for the Gabrielle Union-led series. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)

3 / 20

Mara Brock Akil - American screenwriter, producer and director Mara Brock Akil, best known for the UPN series Girlfriends and its hit spin-off, The Game, continues to be a directing heavyweight in Hollywood. The Northwestern University alumna went on to create BET’s Being Mary Jane, for which she won two NAACP Image Awards in 2014 and 2016 for the Gabrielle Union-led series. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)

Nzingha Stewart - From directing music videos for 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Missy Elliott to films and network television episodes, Nzingha Stewart's talent behind the camera knows no bounds. Recently, the graduate of New York University's Gallatin School directed Netflix’s original film, Tall Girl, released in 2019. (Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage)

4 / 20

Nzingha Stewart - From directing music videos for 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Missy Elliott to films and network television episodes, Nzingha Stewart's talent behind the camera knows no bounds. Recently, the graduate of New York University's Gallatin School directed Netflix’s original film, Tall Girl, released in 2019. (Photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage)

Ava DuVernay - Winner of the Emmy, Peabody and BAFTA Awards, Ava DuVernay, made a name for herself as the director for Hollywood blockbusters Selma, A Wrinkle in Time, and the Netflix heartbreaking mini-series based on the Exonerated 5, When They See Us. DuVernay was also the first Black woman to win the U.S. dramatic competition directing award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for her movie Middle of Nowhere. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) 

5 / 20

Ava DuVernay - Winner of the Emmy, Peabody and BAFTA Awards, Ava DuVernay, made a name for herself as the director for Hollywood blockbusters Selma, A Wrinkle in Time, and the Netflix heartbreaking mini-series based on the Exonerated 5, When They See Us. DuVernay was also the first Black woman to win the U.S. dramatic competition directing award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for her movie Middle of Nowhere. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) 

ADVERTISEMENT
Tina Gordon  - Getting her start writing 2000s classic movies, Drumline and ATL, Tina Gordon Chism made her directorial debut with Peeples in 2013. Since then, the Duke Ellington School for Performing Arts former student has gone on to co-write comedy hits, What Men Want and direct 2019’s Little. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

6 / 20

Tina Gordon  - Getting her start writing 2000s classic movies, Drumline and ATL, Tina Gordon Chism made her directorial debut with Peeples in 2013. Since then, the Duke Ellington School for Performing Arts former student has gone on to co-write comedy hits, What Men Want and direct 2019’s Little. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

Kasi Lemmons - The Eve's Bayou and Black Nativity director transitioned from being an actress to an acclaimed director, telling “Harlem Moon” in 2003 how she "wanted to do something more meaningful than going to auditions.” Her latest film, 2019’s Harriet, stars Cynthia Erivo and is her highest-grossing film to date, raking in $43 Million to date. (Photo by Michael Tran/WireImage)

7 / 20

Kasi Lemmons - The Eve's Bayou and Black Nativity director transitioned from being an actress to an acclaimed director, telling “Harlem Moon” in 2003 how she "wanted to do something more meaningful than going to auditions.” Her latest film, 2019’s Harriet, stars Cynthia Erivo and is her highest-grossing film to date, raking in $43 Million to date. (Photo by Michael Tran/WireImage)

Melina Matsoukas - From acclaimed music videos for some of music’s biggest names to commercials, television and Hollywood blockbusters, Melina Matsoukas is a triple threat behind the camera. Matsoukas is a four-time MTV VMA winner for Rihanna’s “We Found Love” video and a two-time Grammy Award holder for Beyonce’s "Formation" music video. The Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal honoree made her directorial debut with Lena Waithe’s Queen & Slim, released in November 2019. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/WireImage)

8 / 20

Melina Matsoukas - From acclaimed music videos for some of music’s biggest names to commercials, television and Hollywood blockbusters, Melina Matsoukas is a triple threat behind the camera. Matsoukas is a four-time MTV VMA winner for Rihanna’s “We Found Love” video and a two-time Grammy Award holder for Beyonce’s "Formation" music video. The Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal honoree made her directorial debut with Lena Waithe’s Queen & Slim, released in November 2019. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/WireImage)

Numa Perrier - Numa Perrier first made waves with her debut film, Jezebel, starring Tiffany Tenille, in 2017. The film, loosely based on the Haitian director's life, received positive reviews after premiering at SXSW in March 2019. In 2011, Perrier also co-founded a digital media network created specifically for progressive African American viewers, called Black&Sexy TV. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images for UTA and House of Numa) 

9 / 20

Numa Perrier - Numa Perrier first made waves with her debut film, Jezebel, starring Tiffany Tenille, in 2017. The film, loosely based on the Haitian director's life, received positive reviews after premiering at SXSW in March 2019. In 2011, Perrier also co-founded a digital media network created specifically for progressive African American viewers, called Black&Sexy TV. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images for UTA and House of Numa) 

Julie Dash - A pioneering director from the LA Rebellion (the movement of fresh African-American directors who created Black cinema in the 1960s through the 1980s,) Julie Dash made history with her debut film, Daughters of the Dust (1991.)The independent film depicting South Carolina’s Gullah community became the first feature-length movie directed by an African-American woman with a theatrical release in the United States. (Photo by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images for Roger Ebert's Film Festival) 

10 / 20

Julie Dash - A pioneering director from the LA Rebellion (the movement of fresh African-American directors who created Black cinema in the 1960s through the 1980s,) Julie Dash made history with her debut film, Daughters of the Dust (1991.)The independent film depicting South Carolina’s Gullah community became the first feature-length movie directed by an African-American woman with a theatrical release in the United States. (Photo by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images for Roger Ebert's Film Festival) 

ADVERTISEMENT
Nijla Mu'min - Inspired by dance, poetry and photography, Nijla Mu’min is an award-winning writer and filmmaker, known for telling the stories of Black girls and their identities. In 2017, the East Bay Area native was named one of 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker Magazine. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW)

11 / 20

Nijla Mu'min - Inspired by dance, poetry and photography, Nijla Mu’min is an award-winning writer and filmmaker, known for telling the stories of Black girls and their identities. In 2017, the East Bay Area native was named one of 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker Magazine. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW)

Stella Meghie - Before transitioning into filmmaking, Stella Meghie worked as a fashion public relations agent in New York City. Now, the Toronto native is making magic behind the camera as a director and screenwriter. Her debut film, Jean of the Joneses, went on to compete in the SXSW Film Festival in 2016 after winning the Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition five years prior. Most recently, Meghie wrote and directed The Photograph, starring LaKeith Stanfield and Issa Rae. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

12 / 20

Stella Meghie - Before transitioning into filmmaking, Stella Meghie worked as a fashion public relations agent in New York City. Now, the Toronto native is making magic behind the camera as a director and screenwriter. Her debut film, Jean of the Joneses, went on to compete in the SXSW Film Festival in 2016 after winning the Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition five years prior. Most recently, Meghie wrote and directed The Photograph, starring LaKeith Stanfield and Issa Rae. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

Dee Reese - Best known for her groundbreaking films Pariah (2011) and Bessie (2015), Dee Rees has become a Hollywood go-to for directing. Her 2017 Netflix film, Mudbound, starring Jason Mitchell and Mary J. Blige, earned her the Best Woman Storyteller award from the Women Film Critics Circle and Best Director by the New York Film Critics Online in 2017. Her latest film, The Last Thing He Wanted, stars Ben Affleck and Anne Hathaway. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images)

13 / 20

Dee Reese - Best known for her groundbreaking films Pariah (2011) and Bessie (2015), Dee Rees has become a Hollywood go-to for directing. Her 2017 Netflix film, Mudbound, starring Jason Mitchell and Mary J. Blige, earned her the Best Woman Storyteller award from the Women Film Critics Circle and Best Director by the New York Film Critics Online in 2017. Her latest film, The Last Thing He Wanted, stars Ben Affleck and Anne Hathaway. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images)

Victoria Mahoney - American filmmaker Victoria Mahoney made history as the first woman to direct a Star Wars film ,not to mention, she is also the first Black woman to do so. In 2011, the actress, who made acting cameos in Legally Blonde and Seinfeld, made her directing debut with 2012’s Yelling to the Sky, a semi-autobiographically coming-of-age film based on a young woman’s struggles through high school. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for BAFTA LA)

14 / 20

Victoria Mahoney - American filmmaker Victoria Mahoney made history as the first woman to direct a Star Wars film ,not to mention, she is also the first Black woman to do so. In 2011, the actress, who made acting cameos in Legally Blonde and Seinfeld, made her directing debut with 2012’s Yelling to the Sky, a semi-autobiographically coming-of-age film based on a young woman’s struggles through high school. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for BAFTA LA)

Tina Mabry - A true multi-hyphenate who effortlessly writes, directs and produces, Tina Mabry was amongst the “Top Forty Under 40” by Advocate Magazine in 2015. The Mississippi native, who burst on the scene with Mississippi Damned, a film she admits was inspired by her own life, was also named one of '25 New Faces of Indie Film' by Filmmaker Magazine. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/FilmMagic)

15 / 20

Tina Mabry - A true multi-hyphenate who effortlessly writes, directs and produces, Tina Mabry was amongst the “Top Forty Under 40” by Advocate Magazine in 2015. The Mississippi native, who burst on the scene with Mississippi Damned, a film she admits was inspired by her own life, was also named one of '25 New Faces of Indie Film' by Filmmaker Magazine. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/FilmMagic)

ADVERTISEMENT
Neema Barnette - Known for socially captivating and politically charged content, Neema Barnette is a Hollywood legend when it comes to directing. The New York native was the first African-American woman to receive a three-picture contract with Sony, and was the first African-American woman to direct a primetime sitcom. The Harlem Girl Productions founder, who is also a part-time professor at UCLA, has won five awards between 2002-2006 for her directing. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

16 / 20

Neema Barnette - Known for socially captivating and politically charged content, Neema Barnette is a Hollywood legend when it comes to directing. The New York native was the first African-American woman to receive a three-picture contract with Sony, and was the first African-American woman to direct a primetime sitcom. The Harlem Girl Productions founder, who is also a part-time professor at UCLA, has won five awards between 2002-2006 for her directing. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Chinonye Chukwu - Best known for the drama Clemency (2019), Chinonye Chukwu made history as the first Black woman to win the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Reportedly, the Nigerian-American filmmaker will direct A Taste Of Power, based on former Black Panther Party chairwoman Elaine Brown’s memoir. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

17 / 20

Chinonye Chukwu - Best known for the drama Clemency (2019), Chinonye Chukwu made history as the first Black woman to win the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. Reportedly, the Nigerian-American filmmaker will direct A Taste Of Power, based on former Black Panther Party chairwoman Elaine Brown’s memoir. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

Sanaa Hamri - Aside from directing some of Hollywood’s funniest romantic comedies, including Something New and Just Wright, Sanaa Hamri has also worked with some of music’s biggest names. The Moroccan-American music video director has guided the likes of  Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Prince on film. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)

18 / 20

Sanaa Hamri - Aside from directing some of Hollywood’s funniest romantic comedies, including Something New and Just Wright, Sanaa Hamri has also worked with some of music’s biggest names. The Moroccan-American music video director has guided the likes of  Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Prince on film. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)

Nia DaCosta - Budding director Nia DaCosta always had a knack for writing, but fell in love with filmmaking after watching Apocalypse Now (1979), inspired by Steven Speilberg and Martin Scorsese. Ever since her 2019 breakout film, Little Woods, the Brooklynite continues to master the art of storytelling, most recently directing the highly-anticipated Candyman reboot, slated for a June 2020 release. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images)

19 / 20

Nia DaCosta - Budding director Nia DaCosta always had a knack for writing, but fell in love with filmmaking after watching Apocalypse Now (1979), inspired by Steven Speilberg and Martin Scorsese. Ever since her 2019 breakout film, Little Woods, the Brooklynite continues to master the art of storytelling, most recently directing the highly-anticipated Candyman reboot, slated for a June 2020 release. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images)

Darnell Martin - From Columbia Pictures’ I Like It Like That to 2008’s musical drama Cadillac Records, producer, filmmaker, and screenwriter Darnell Martin is a Hollywood mainstay. IMDB reports the Bronx native was the first Black American woman to both write and direct a movie for a major Hollywood studio. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)

20 / 20

Darnell Martin - From Columbia Pictures’ I Like It Like That to 2008’s musical drama Cadillac Records, producer, filmmaker, and screenwriter Darnell Martin is a Hollywood mainstay. IMDB reports the Bronx native was the first Black American woman to both write and direct a movie for a major Hollywood studio. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)