Lesbian Film and Television Producers and Directors
There has been much discussion lately about the lack of women in the film and television production industry and the glass ceiling they face in advancing their careers. Interesting, there is quite good proportional representation of lesbian women in this industry relative to overall out LGBTQ individuals. We have been able to identify a sizeable group of respected past and present lesbian film and television producers and directors.
Many of these individuals are well known and have been recognized by the industry for their achievements. Some have received Emmy Awards (television) or Teddy Awards (LGBTQ film), and although none have yet won an Academy Award there have been several who have directed such award winners in their films. Several lesbian filmmakers and producers have been appointed to the Order of the British Empire (Great Britain), have become Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (France), or have received the National Medal of the Arts (United States).
Included are a group of individuals who have produced outstanding films for the LGBTQ community. A list of these films include: I Heard the Mermaid Singing ([[Patricia Rozema, and voted Best Canadian Film of All Time); Desert Hearts (Donna Deitch); and Paris is Burning (Jennie Livingston).
Similarly, many popular television shows have been created and/or produced by lesbian individuals. These shows include: Nurse Jackie (Linda Wallem); Footballer's Wives (Eileen Gallagher); Transparent (Andrea Sperling); True Blood (Angela Robinson); and The L Word (Ilene Chaiken).
Documentaries on feminism, arts and culture, human rights, and other topics have been the expertise of a select few of these individuals. Notably, all of the indivduals have been active in the LGBTQ community.
A large number of these talented lesbians founded and own their own production companies, and some are also actors in their productions. Perhaps it is these entrepreneurial initiatives that explains their relative prevalence in the industry.
While the majority of these individuals hail from the United States, there is also representation from France, Canada, Belgium, South Africa, Great Britain, Egypt, Ireland, and Spain. To read their fascinating biographies, simply click on their names:
- Chantal Akerman, Belgium
- Desiree Akhavan, United States
- Amanda Bearse, United States
- Andrea Bernstein, United States
- LouAnne Brickhouse, United States
- Kelly Bush Novak, United States
- Ilene Chaiken, United States
- Jen Christensen, United States
- Donna Deitch, United States
- Beverley Ditsie, South Africa
- Cheryl Dunye, United States
- Megan Ellison, United States
- Eileen Gallagher, Great Britain
- Sara Geater, Great Britain
- Francesca Gregorini, United States
- Amber Hollibaugh, United States
- Sally Hosaini, Egypt
- Nina Jacobson, United States
- Joanna Johnson, United States
- Ingrid Jungermann, United States
- Jennie Livingston, United States
- Phyllida Lloyd, Great Britain
- Jillian Michaels, United States
- Phyllis Nagy, United States
- Anna Nolan, Ireland
- Diana Nyad, United States
- Jenni Olson, United States
- Nuala O'Faolain, Ireland
- Angela Robinson, United States
- Patricia Rozema, Canada
- Beatriz Sanchis, Spain
- Celine Sciamma, France
- Jill Solloway, United States
- Susan Sontag, United States
- Andrea Sperling, United States
- Nicole Stephane, France
- Glennda Testone, United States
- Rose Troche, United States
- Christine Vachon, United States
- Jane Wagner, United States
- Lena Waithe, United States
- Linda Wallem, United States
- Dearbhla Walsh, Ireland
