All 18 Best Picture Nominees Directed by Women

variety.com:

Clayton Davis Women filmmakers are taking the reins of their destinies in Hollywood, with many stepping behind the camera and creating stories universal to the human condition.

This has been a slow-moving machine to see these talents recognized at the Oscars, especially in best director.In the 94-year history of the Academy Awards, there have been 581 films nominated for the top prize for best picture.

Eighteen of those films were helmed by a woman director. While grotesque in its mere statistic, we see an uptick in female-led stories being told and gaining notoriety.This year, we have our first woman nominated for directing a second time with Jane Campion for the nomination leader, “The Power of the Dog.” The western marks the second time a female-directed film has gained the most Oscar nominations in a respective year and is the most nominated film in history by a woman director.

For the third time in history, two films that a woman directs are recognized for best picture, along with Sian Heder’s “CODA.” In fact, “CODA” and “The Power of the Dog” are among the top three features expected to win best picture on March 27.Many films were directed by women that received nominations which include Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Lost Daughter,” which picked up three noms for actress (Olivia Colman), supporting actress (Jessie Buckley) and adapted screenplay for Gyllenhaal herself.