Following the 2020 Golden Globe Awards, many fans protested the award show’s exclusion of female film directors. Here at the Daily Clog, we’re looking to give credit where credit is due. So, check out some of these female-directed movies which, with the exception of one that will be in theatres next month, were all released within the last two years!

“Hustlers” (2019)

Directed by Lorene Scafaria, this crime comedy-drama follows a group of dancers who steal from upper-crust wealthy men in New York City. With a star-studded cast including Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Keke Palmer, Lizzo, Cardi B, Lili Reinhart and Julia Stiles, this movie, which is based on a riveting true story, deserves a watch!

“Knock Down the House” (2019)

Directed by Rachel Lears, this documentary follows four women — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, Cori Bush and Paula Jean Swearengin — as they fight for a seat in Congress during the 2018 elections. A fun fact about this film: Lears started this film through Kickstarter, raising just over $28,000 for production!

“Little Women” (2019)

Directed by Greta Gerwig, this film is an adaptation of the 1868 novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott. It’s heartwarming, empowering and speaks well to the power of female relationships. “Little Women” also features a star-studded cast, including Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet and Meryl Streep!

“Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)” (2020)

Directed by Cathy Yan, this spinoff of 2016’s “Suicide Squad” follows Harley Quinn and a host of other female heroes teaming up against villain Black Mask. The movie’s stars include Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez and Ali Wong!

“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” (2019)

Directed by Marielle Heller, this film follows the heart-touching impact of the beloved Fred Rogers on a journalist named Lloyd Vogel. Starring Tom Hanks, the film has accrued strong praise and garnered numerous prestigious film nominations. Rekindle your childhood memories with this film!

“Birds of Passage” (2018)

Directed by Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra, the production of this film took ten years before it debuted in mid-2018 and was released in theaters in early 2019. The film follows an indigenous Colombian Wayuu community as it navigates family and friendship in the midst of crime and an aggressive drug trade.

“Booksmart” (2019)

Directed by Olivia Wilde (who recently visited campus!), this film follows high school dynamics in today’s society, touching on friendship, love and a lot of embarrassment. Two overachieving high school teenagers on the brink of graduation set out to play “social catch up” with the fear of missing out on youthful fun.

“Clemency” (2019)

Directed by Chinonye Chukwu, this film follows a death row prison warden who struggles to maintain her humanity in the midst of her job’s naturally negative implications. This chilling and poignant story has garnered significant praise from critics and viewers alike.

“The Farewell” (2019)

Directed by Lulu Wang, this heart-touching film follows the relationships between its characters as they navigate delicate family dynamics. Starring Awkwafina, Tzi Ma, Diana Lin, Zhao Shuzhen, Lu Hong and Jiang Yongbo, this film also integrates important Chinese cultural context to provide a thought-provoking and bittersweet tale.

“The Kitchen” (2019)

Directed by Andrea Berloff, this film follows strong, confident women who assume control in the Manhattan neighborhood known as Hell’s Kitchen after their husbands, who are members of the Irish mob, are arrested by the FBI. Starring Melissa McCarthy, Elisabeth Moss and Tiffany Haddish, this action-packed crime drama certainly won’t leave you bored!

Female directors create movies that tell stories from a perspective that is often neglected in Hollywood. While on-screen representation is important, the people behind the camera are the ones really telling the story. These movies are strong proof of the importance of diverse narratives in film and the need to support the women behind them!