Ten Women Who Shaped Film: Columbia Professor Shares Her Picks for Most Influential Female Filmmakers

Campus Communications Staff / Mar 07, 2025

head shot of karla rae fuller
Karla Rae Fuller, PhD, a professor at Columbia College Chicago and author of a recent book on inclusive screenwriting, shares her perspective on the women who have had the most profound impact on film.

Karla Rae Fuller, PhD, a professor in the School of Film and Television at Columbia College Chicago and author of “Mastering the Craft of Diverse and Inclusive Screenwriting: Find Your Screenwriting Superpower,” has examined how women have shaped and redefined the cinematic landscape. In a recent interview, she shared with us the ten women she believes have had the most profound impact on film.  

Fuller's Top 10 Picks

  1. Alice Guy-Blaché: Pioneering First Female Filmmaker

Alice Guy-Blaché, who made her first film in 1896 in France, is often considered the very first female filmmaker, working as a director. A pioneer of early cinema, Guy-Blaché was part of many innovations in film, including the use of synchronized sound and hand-tinted color. She, along with her husband and a partner, founded the Solax Company in the U.S., the largest pre-Hollywood studio, which was responsible for more than 300 films.  

"Guy-Blaché's contributions have largely been forgotten in history, but she was instrumental in the early days of filmmaking, both as a director and a producer,” Fuller says. “She understood the power of storytelling through film and saw its potential long before most others did." 

  1. Dorothy Arzner: Breaking Barriers for Women

Dorothy Arzner was one of the few women to direct during the early days of Hollywood’s Golden Age, with a career that spanned from the 1920s to the 1940s. Known for films like “Dance, Girl, Dance” starring Lucille Ball and “The Wild Party,” Arzner was a trailblazer, directing over 20 films and influencing future generations of filmmakers, and one of the first openly gay filmmakers. 

"Arzner was a rare female voice in the studio system," Fuller explains. "She didn't just work in the system; she carved out her own space within it." 

  1. Ida Lupino: Actress Turned Director of Independent Films

Perhaps best known for her work as an actress, playing tough female characters in films like “High Sierra,” Lupino had a second act as a director—a rarity during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Lupino broke boundaries with films like “Outrage” and “The Hitch-Hiker,” which dealt with themes of women’s agency. Lupino was the first woman to star in and direct a film with the noir classic 'The Bigamist,' predating Barbra Streisand’s similar achievement by decades.  

"She was a true pioneer of independent filmmaking," Fuller says. "Her films often tackled difficult subjects that Hollywood avoided, and she did so with empathy and a deep understanding of human nature." 

  1. Lina Wertmüller: Bringing Feminism to Italian Film

Lina Wertmüller’s bold films, such as “Seven Beauties” and “Love and Anarchy,” broke new ground in Italian cinema, blending political themes with dark comedy and tragic romance. Wertmüller’s films often tackle issues of power, sexuality, and gender with an unapologetically feminist lens. In 1977, Wertmüller became the first woman to be nominated for an Oscar in the best directing category (“Seven Beauties”).  

"Wertmüller was truly audacious, and one of the first to mix comedy with tragedy in such a biting, political way," Fuller says. "She made space for female characters to have agency, complexity, and flaws, which was groundbreaking for Italian cinema." 

  1. Susan Seidelman: Championing Female Narratives in the 1980s

Director Susan Seidelman’s “Desperately Seeking Susan” helped make Madonna a mega star. Part of the what Fuller calls the “film school generation,” Seidelman made films that became emblematic of 1980s cinema (e.g., “Smithereens”) and helped redefine female-driven stories in a time when such narratives were often marginalized. Her ability to bring complex female characters to the forefront made her an influential figure in both comedy and drama. 

"Seidelman’s films captured the spirit of the '80s and gave us a new perspective on women's stories," Fuller says. "She proved that female characters could be anti-heroes." 

  1. Kathryn Bigelow: Breaking Barriers in Action and War Films

Kathryn Bigelow made history as the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director with “The Hurt Locker” in 2009. Her work in action and war films broke new ground for female directors in a genre dominated by men. 

"Bigelow’s films are not just action films—they’re complex, character-driven pieces that challenge the conventional notions of war and violence," says Fuller. "Her focus on gritty realism and nuanced storytelling proved that women can bring something fresh to genres traditionally dominated by male directors." 

  1. Ava DuVernay: Pioneering Diversity and Justice in Hollywood

Ava DuVernay has reshaped the landscape of American cinema with her commitment to storytelling that highlights racial justice and systemic inequalities. From Selma to 13th, DuVernay’s films offer profound insights into social change. 

"DuVernay is a force in cinema, using her platform not only to tell stories that matter but also to advocate for broader inclusivity," Fuller remarks. "Her work shows that film can be a powerful tool for social change." 

  1. Greta Gerwig: Redefining Feminist Storytelling

Greta Gerwig’s transition from indie darling to mainstream auteur with films like “Lady Bird” and “Little Women” has made her one of the most celebrated filmmakers of her generation. Her nuanced explorations of female relationships, coming-of-age stories, and individual empowerment have made her an important voice in modern cinema. And she proved with “Barbie,” that women can make grand-scale blockbuster films.  

"Gerwig’s work is such a beautiful blend of personal and universal," Fuller states. "She shows how personal, female-driven stories can have global resonance." 

  1. Chloé Zhao: Expanding the Boundaries of Genre and Diversity

With her Oscar win for “Nomadland,” director Chloé Zhao cemented her place in cinematic history as the first woman of Asian descent to win Best Director She’s become known for her innovative blending of documentary-style realism with fictional narratives, particularlyin how she explores marginalized groups and their stories. 

"Zhao’s work is transcendent," Fuller says. "She blends genres in a way that not only tells captivating stories but also provides a voice for underrepresented communities." 

  1. Jane Campion: Mastering Psychological Depth and Complexity

Jane Campion’s work, from “The Piano” to “Top of the Lake,” is known for its rich psychological depth and exploration of complex female characters. She has brought a distinctive voice to both film and television that’s made her a critical favorite. 

"Campion’s films are never afraid to confront the dark and uncomfortable aspects of the human experience, particularly for women," Fuller notes. "Her mastery of complex female characters has made her a trailblazer." 

These ten women, spanning from the early days of cinema to contemporary filmmakers, have reshaped how films are made, how stories are told, and how women’s experiences are portrayed on the big screen.  

The Future of Women in Film: Fuller’s Vision 

In terms of what’s next for women in film, Fuller is optimistic.  

"The future of women in film is incredibly bright, but there’s still much work to do," she says. “But t's exciting to see a younger generation of filmmakers pushing the envelope, and I'm hopeful that we’ll see even more groundbreaking work from women as the industry shifts and evolves." 

Recent News