10 Greatest Directorial Film Debuts

Whilst Greta Gerwig technically co-directed a successful Independent film in 2008, for the purpose of this article, I will consider her first solo directorial picture that was released more than nine years later.

The gender barriers of the film production system is an ongoing problem that continue to plague film studios across the world. With Lady Bird, not only was Gerwig able to break through the many obstacles that female directors face, she was also able to create one of the best coming-of-age dramas of the past decade.

Featuring a career defining performance by Oscar favourite Saoirse Ronan as the "girl on the wrong side of the tracks", Lady Bird was a hit with audiences and critics alike. The film was nominated in five categories, including Best Director with Gerwig becoming just the fifth woman in the ceremony's ninety years to be nominated for the award.

Gerwig would be recognised for her achievements by being named on Time magazine's most influential people list of 2018. She has since followed up her solo-debut film with a successful adaptation of the classic novel Little Women and is quickly developing into one of cinema's rising talents.