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Film Makers: 15 Groundbreaking Women Directors
In Hollywood, women don't have to be in front of the camera to shine.
Each of the 15 women profiled in Film Makers shares a common she is, as Shonda Rhimes says, “First. Only. Different.”
These phenomenal women have redefined the film and television industry, winning awards historically given to a male counterpart, being the only woman in a writers’ room, or portraying stories no one else could tell.
While their resumes are impressive, it is how they live their lives that has made a greater impact in the communities they serve. Many of them, like Gina Prince-Bythewood and Greta Gerwig, mentor other women. Some, like Agnieszka Holland and Chloé Zhao, have stood up to those who seek to ignore or silence them. All of them tell their stories with passion and integrity, serving as role models and champions for future generations.
We hope they will inspire you to use the tools of film to tell your story!
Each of the 15 women profiled in Film Makers shares a common she is, as Shonda Rhimes says, “First. Only. Different.”
These phenomenal women have redefined the film and television industry, winning awards historically given to a male counterpart, being the only woman in a writers’ room, or portraying stories no one else could tell.
While their resumes are impressive, it is how they live their lives that has made a greater impact in the communities they serve. Many of them, like Gina Prince-Bythewood and Greta Gerwig, mentor other women. Some, like Agnieszka Holland and Chloé Zhao, have stood up to those who seek to ignore or silence them. All of them tell their stories with passion and integrity, serving as role models and champions for future generations.
We hope they will inspire you to use the tools of film to tell your story!
- GenresNonfictionFilmHistory
224 pages, Hardcover
Published September 6, 2022
2 people are currently reading
1645 people want to read
About the author
Lyn Miller-Lachmann
18 books57 followersI've practiced writing ever since I was six years and invented an entire classroom of 24 kids who wanted to be my friends. The following year, my mother gave me a typewriter, and I started putting my stories on paper. It was my way of creating a world where everything worked out the way I wanted it to.
When I became a high school teacher, I started collecting my students’ stories, and I incorporated these into my first efforts to write for others. I taught English to refugees from Latin America and organized concerts of Latin American music, and the people I met inspired and encouraged me to write the novel that years later would become Gringolandia. After Gringolandia came out in 2009, I enrolled in the MFA program in Writing for Children & Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts and there gained the confidence to write the story I’d been avoiding or skirting for my life up to that point—growing up with Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism that made it so hard for me to make and keep friends. My 2013 novel, Rogue, is based on two incidents that happened to me as a teenager.
In addition to my published fiction for preteens and teens, I have complete drafts of two young adult novels, one of them a companion to Gringolandia, and am writing a middle grade novel. I am also working on a graphic novel featuring a Lego town I’ve built, Little Brick Township, and the minifigures who live there and/or visit. The stuff that happens in Little Brick Township sometimes appears on my blog, along with tips for other Lego builders. While I occasionally offer writing advice, my blog mainly features my other interests, including the experience of living abroad and learning another language (I spent the last four months of 2012 in Portugal and hope to return), my work as assistant host of a bilingual radio show of Latin American, Spanish, and Portuguese music, and what’s new in Little Brick Township.
When I became a high school teacher, I started collecting my students’ stories, and I incorporated these into my first efforts to write for others. I taught English to refugees from Latin America and organized concerts of Latin American music, and the people I met inspired and encouraged me to write the novel that years later would become Gringolandia. After Gringolandia came out in 2009, I enrolled in the MFA program in Writing for Children & Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts and there gained the confidence to write the story I’d been avoiding or skirting for my life up to that point—growing up with Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism that made it so hard for me to make and keep friends. My 2013 novel, Rogue, is based on two incidents that happened to me as a teenager.
In addition to my published fiction for preteens and teens, I have complete drafts of two young adult novels, one of them a companion to Gringolandia, and am writing a middle grade novel. I am also working on a graphic novel featuring a Lego town I’ve built, Little Brick Township, and the minifigures who live there and/or visit. The stuff that happens in Little Brick Township sometimes appears on my blog, along with tips for other Lego builders. While I occasionally offer writing advice, my blog mainly features my other interests, including the experience of living abroad and learning another language (I spent the last four months of 2012 in Portugal and hope to return), my work as assistant host of a bilingual radio show of Latin American, Spanish, and Portuguese music, and what’s new in Little Brick Township.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 17, 2025
I think this book had a lot of good filmmakers to inspire me to research more… but I didn’t really like the way it was written. It felt very choppy and very brief. I also didn’t like that the authors though they were using exciting words, what they wrote didn’t quite feel, tonality wise, very enthusiastic.
September 11, 2024
I wanted this book to go on and on. That is the test of a great book for me. I was enthralled by the stories of these amazing women. I have watched one of the movies listed in the book, Pariah, and loved it. From here on out I’ll be watching movies very differently.
May 15, 2023
Insightful - and essential - look at 15 directors. You’ll leave will a big to-watch list, from Europa Europa to Top of the Lake to Mr. Jones. Also, Pariah, Love & Basketball, The Rider, The Edge of Democracy, and Nian.
June 7, 2025
Obviously for a younger audience, but I had fun and learned a lot! I appreciate how it didn't just praise every director; instead, it describes each women’s controversies with nuance. Definitely recommend for a light, easy, quick, non-fiction read for film nerds looking to expand their film taste!
April 10, 2024
I love women <3
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews