FemaleDirectors.com is a website for female-directed movies: you can find, play, and add them to your Netflix queue, and buy them on Amazon.com. Browse within our genres to find movies from the female perspective.
Faith & Spirituality
Blessed Is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh
rating:3.5.png

Blessed Is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh

2008
Joan Allen narrates this riveting portrait of Hungarian poet Hannah Senesh, a remarkable woman who risked her own life to parachute behind enemy lines -- enduring capture, torture and, ultimately, death -- to rescue Jews from Nazi persecution. Ahead of her time and on a mission of incredible odds, Senesh ultimately became a martyr in Israel, evoking the spirit of warrior-heroine Joan of Arc and earning the gratitude of those she saved.

Directed by:

  • Roberta Grossman
    • rating:3.5.png 3.5 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    The Jews: A People's History
    rating:3.1.png

    The Jews: A People's History

    2009
    Exploring 4,000 years in the history of the Jews -- from their ancient roots in the Middle East all the way to modern-day Judaism -- this exhaustivedocumentary weaves stories from the past and present to reveal a rich tapestry of Jewish identity. Seeking to represent the diversity of the Jewish people, director Nina Koshofer's ambitious film spotlights Jews both rich and poor, famed and obscure.

    Directed by:

  • Nina Koshofer
  • Sabine Klauser
    • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Household Saints
    rating:3.4.png

    Household Saints

    1993
    In post-World War II New York, Joseph (Vincent D'Onofrio) wins Catherine (Tracey Ullman) in a pinochle game. They marry and have a daughter, Teresa (Lili Taylor), who becomes a religious zealot as she seeks purity through prayer -- much to the consternation of Teresa's boyfriend (Michael Imperioli) and parents. Director Nancy Savoca's third film is based on Francine Prose's novel of the same name.

    Directed by:

  • Nancy Savoca
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Sheffey
    rating:3.7.png

    Sheffey

    1977
    An unruly young man from an affluent family becomes a Christian convert and a tireless servant of God after attending a revival meeting with friends in this affecting drama about the life and ministry of 19th-century preacher Robert Sheffey. Sheffey traveled the sawdust trail to proclaim the Gospel throughout Appalachia, and in the process, he touched lives all across America. Katherine Stenholm directs.

    Directed by:

  • Katherine Stenholm
    • rating:3.7.png 3.7 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Anime & Animation
    Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
    rating:4.0.png

    Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

    2010
    Endowed with powers equal to Superman's, Supergirl splashes down on Earth in the midst of a hail of Kryptonite. No sooner has she landed than the problems begin for the Caped Crusader, who must rescue her when Darkseid nabs her. To thwart Darkseid's plans to make Supergirl one of his Female Furies, Batman must join forces with Superman to confront the powerful enemies Darkseid has assembled around his control center in Apokolips.

    Directed by:

  • Lauren Montgomery
    • rating:4.0.png 4.0 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Open Season
    rating:3.7.png

    Open Season

    2006
    After saving a mule deer from a hunter's clutches, a domesticated grizzly finds himself relocated to the wild -- and unprepared for the real world. Can the furry pals make it to safety before open season starts, or will they end up mounted on a wall? Ashton Kutcher, Gary Sinise, Martin Lawrence, Billy Connolly, Debra Messing and Jon Favreau lend their voices to this animated adventure that's perfect for the whole family.

    Directed by:

  • Roger Allers
  • Jill Culton
  • Anthony Stacchi
    • rating:3.7.png 3.7 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Animal Farm
    rating:3.3.png

    Animal Farm

    1954
    Adapted from George Orwell's bitingly black satirical novel of the same name, this full-length animated film employs farmyard animals to depict the foibles that are inherent in modern political systems. The pigs of Manor Farm stage a coup against their cruel master (they're rebelling against substandard conditions in their sty) and attempt to establish a prosperous new regime, only to learn that absolute power always corrupts -- absolutely.

    Directed by:

  • Joy Batchelor
    • rating:3.3.png 3.3 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Horseland: Friends First: Win or Lose
    rating:3.4.png

    Horseland: Friends First: Win or Lose

    2006
    Take a trip to Horseland, a giant ranch where horse lovers join together for fun and adventure in this animated television series. When Sarah arrives with her horse, Scarlet, the other kids make assumptions about her because they know she's wealthy in "You Can't Judge a Girl by her Limo." Then, in "The Competition," everyone becomes ultracompetitive when Horseland needs to pick one rider to participate in an important junior national contest.

    Directed by:

  • Karen Hyden
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Drama
    The Big Shot-Caller
    rating:3.1.png

    The Big Shot-Caller

    2008
    When his life hits an all-time low after a failed romance, nearsighted loner Jamie Lesser (David Rhein) calls on his spirited sister Lianne (director Marlene Rhein) to help him achieve his cherished childhood dream of becoming a fiery salsa dancer. As Jamie learns to turn his inner dancer loose, he also discovers the courage to confront the other obstacles standing in his way to happiness. Laneya Wiles co-stars in this inspiring drama.

    Directed by:

  • Marlene Rhein
    • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Speak
    rating:3.7.png

    Speak

    2004
    A violent crime against Melinda (Kristen Stewart) has left her shunned by her friends and completely traumatized as she enters the ninth grade a selective mute, isolating herself from everyone at school until a sympathetic teacher (Steve Zahn) encourages her to express herself. Elizabeth Perkins and D.B. Sweeney co-star in this powerful teen drama from writer-director Jessica Sharzer, which debuted at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

    Directed by:

  • Jessica Sharzer
    • rating:3.7.png 3.7 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Caramel
    rating:3.4.png

    Caramel

    2007
    A Lebanese beauty salon is the setting for this romantic comedy about five women and the various troubles they face, with director Nadine Labaki leading the cast as the shop's owner, Layale, who's heartbroken from a foundering affair.

    Directed by:

  • Nadine Labaki
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Incendiary
    rating:3.1.png

    Incendiary

    2008
    Director Sharon Maguire's powerful drama stars Michelle Williams as an adulterous young housewife struggling to come to terms with the deaths of her husband and infant son after they're killed in a terrorist bombing at a London soccer game. Crippled by grief, the widow seeks comfort through affairs with two men (Ewan McGregor and Matthew Macfadyen), inadvertently putting herself in the midst of a dangerous love triangle.

    Directed by:

  • Sharon Maguire
    • rating:3.1.png 3.1 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Gay & Lesbian
    Word Is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives
    rating:3.4.png

    Word Is Out: Stories of Some of Our Lives

    1977
    First released in 1977, this landmark documentary chronicles the experiences of some two dozen gay and lesbian Americans living throughout the country during the early days of the gay rights movement. Directed by a coalition of gay and lesbian filmmakers, the movie features interviews with poet Elsa Gidlow, activist Harry Hay and others who reflect candidly on growing up in a country that was still deeply and almost uniformly anti-gay.

    Directed by:

  • Nancy Adair
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Patrik, Age 1.5
    rating:3.8.png

    Patrik, Age 1.5

    2008
    After moving from the city to a small town, gay couple Sven (Torkel Petersson) and Goran (Gustaf Skarsgård) adopt a child. But when Patrik (Thomas Ljungman) arrives in their lives, it turns out he's not 1.5 years old as they were told by the adoption agency -- he's a rebellious, homophobic 15-year-old. While the couple houses the angry boy until the mix-up is resolved, his presence causes them to reassess their lives.

    Directed by:

  • Ella Lemhagen
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Desert Hearts
    rating:3.4.png

    Desert Hearts

    1985
    Uptight literature professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) heads to Reno, Nev., in 1959 for a quickie divorce. While staying with Frances Parker (Audra Lindley) at her ranch to establish residency, Bell meets Parker's adopted daughter (Patricia Charbonneau), a casino worker 10 years her junior. Bell finds herself increasingly drawn to the open and self-assured lesbian, and their developing intimacy releases buried emotions Bell has never explored.

    Directed by:

  • Donna Deitch
    • rating:3.4.png 3.4 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Fire
    rating:3.6.png

    Fire

    1996
    Two Hindu women struggle with loveless, arranged marriages: Sita (Nandita Das), who discovers that her husband (Javed Jaffrey) has a mistress, and her sister-in-law, Radha (Shabana Azmi), who cannot give birth. As the lukewarm coals of their long-term relationships fade, the women ignite passion in their lives by finding comfort in each other. Director Deepa Mehta's drama is supposedly the first Indian film about lesbians.

    Directed by:

  • Deepa Mehta
    • rating:3.6.png 3.6 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Now and Then
    rating:3.8.png

    Now and Then

    1995
    Waxing nostalgic about the bittersweet passage from childhood to puberty in this tender coming-of-age tale, four childhood girlfriends -- Teeny, Chrissy, Samantha and Roberta -- recall the magical summer of 1970. During their walk down memory lane, they reconcile experiences with boys, secrets, bullies and more. Lesli Linka Glatter directs; Gaby Hoffmann, Ashleigh Aston Moore, Cloris Leachman, Thora Birch and Christina Ricci co-star.

    Directed by:

  • Lesli Linka Glatter
    • rating:3.8.png 3.8 Average Rating


    Find On Amazon
    Now and Then (1995)
    A heartwarming movie about four childhood girlfriends who, in adulthood reunion, relive their experience of the life-changing summer of 1970, including a mystery death, divorce, standing up to the boys, first kiss, and the meaning of true friendship. Each explores her unique identity amidst family and friends. Beautifully directed by Lesli Linka Glatter.
    - Frances   
    We periodically update our movie database by adding new female directors and their movies. If you would like to receive notice of these new additions when they happen, please email us at:
    frances 'at' femaledirectors.com