It is (arguably) the best day of the year! This International Women’s Day, we’re taking the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable contributions of inspiring women in the film industry. From acclaimed directors like Sofia Coppola and Greta Gerwig to extraordinary actors such as Saoirse Ronan and Celine Song, we delve into a curated selection of cherished movies led and created by women.

Sofia Coppola’s timeless rom-com, Lost in Translation, masterfully captures the essence of romantic melancholy. Starring Bill Murray as Bob Harris, an aging movie star, and Scarlett Johansson as Charlotte, a hesitant newlywed, the film unfolds their serendipitous meeting and ensuing Tokyo escapades. Amidst the buzzing cityscape, they create a rare connection, sharing moments of loneliness at a hotel bar whilst chasing happiness through the city streets.

The classic drama-comedy, Little Miss Sunshine, marked the feature film directorial debut of Valerie Faris, alongside her husband and co-director, Jonathan Dayton. The iconic movie premiered at Sundance and the film earned over $100 million on an $8 million budget. The story follows the quirky Hoover family on the journey to the Little Miss Sunshine Contest in California, testing their limits and sanity, in turn bringing them closer together.

Ava DuVernay’s portrayal of the historic 1965 Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights was an Oscars milestone, as the first film directed by a Black woman nominated for Best Picture. Oprah Winfrey also produced the hit movie and earned her first Best Picture nod, joining a select group with nominations for both producing and acting.

Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird proved to be a decade-defining gem. Saoirse Ronan’s performance achieved a Golden Globe, while Laurie Metcalf earned acclaim for supporting actress. Gerwig’s inclusion in the Best Director category alongside Guillermo del Toro, Christopher Nolan, Jordan Peele and Paul Thomas Anderson reshaped the norms, marking a significant shift in representation and recognition.

Another gorgeous Greta Gerwig creation, Little Women, based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel of the same name, is an incredible cinematic achievement. Hosting a stellar cast including Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Saoirse Ronan, Meryl Streep and Laura Dern, the film beautifully blended the glamour of the 19th-century with the gender injustice of the time.

Celine Song made her directorial debut with Past Lives, becoming the first woman of colour to helm a Best Picture-nominated film. Past Lives showcases childhood friends Nora and Hae Sung who are separated when Nora’s family moves from South Korea to Canada. Two decades later, they reunite for a pivotal week, filled with love, destiny and longing.

Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette showcases the life of Queen Marie Antoinette, played by Kirsten Dunst, in a different light from the original historical narrative. Portrayed as a teenage girl thrust into marriage and royalty, the film humanises her, depicting a complex figure disconnected from the world she has been forced into. Garnering an array of recognition including an Academy Award for Best Costume Design by Milena Canonero, Marie Antoinette lives on to be a cult favourite.

Amy Heckerling’s modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, remastered into the era defining Clueless, graced screens in 1995, garnering immense success at the box office and later achieving a cult classic status that still thrives today.