Natalie Portman is once again taking aim at the Oscars for sidelining female directors, highlighting a persistent gap in recognition at Hollywood’s biggest awards. Speaking at the Sundance Film Festival, the actress and producer stressed that despite exceptional films by women this year, many went unnoticed, underscoring the industry’s ongoing barriers.
Natalie Portman Blasts Oscars for Snubbing Women Directors
Portman, 44, pointed out in a chat with Variety that while Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet secured eight nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, it was the only film directed by a woman in the Best Picture race. Other standout female-directed films went largely unrecognized.
“Many of the best films I saw this year were made by women,” Portman said, noting that barriers exist at every stage, from securing financing to getting festival acceptance.
She also mentioned several overlooked films; in her words, “extraordinary films this year that I think a lot of people are enjoying and loving, but are not getting the accolades that they deserve.” Even when female filmmakers overcome these hurdles, recognition at awards time often still falls short.
Despite these setbacks, Portman emphasized the collaborative and joyous process of working with women on set. “It’s a very special process to be in community with women,” she said, highlighting the creativity and energy female filmmakers bring to the industry.
Continuing Her Advocacy for Women in Film
Portman has been vocal about this issue for years. At the 2020 Oscars, she made a statement by wearing a cape embroidered with the names of female directors who were snubbed, including Greta Gerwig.
In 2018, she drew attention to the all-male Best Director nominees at the Golden Globes, famously stating onstage, “And here are all the male nominees.”
An Oscar winner herself for Black Swan, Portman continues to use her platform to advocate for change. Her remarks at Sundance underscore both the progress still needed and the importance of celebrating women’s contributions to film.
While some strides have been made, her message is clear: Hollywood should do more to recognize and elevate female directors.
