The 34th Annual Toronto International Film Festival proved to be a success for women in the industry, as female filmmakers overwhelmingly dominated the scene.
The festival’s opening on Thursday, September 10th was a memorable one, as a string of films were premiered with women at the helm. Despite the fact that about 90% of directors at American studios are male, women managed to stake claim in some of the most prestigious time slots during the 10-day event. 20th Century Fox’s “Jennifer’s Body” directed by Karyn Kusama, caused quite the stir at its 11:59p.m. red-carpet debut, selling out its 1,200 tickets in just two hours after going on sale.
Kusama is just one example of the many women directors that featured their films at the festival, others including Drew Barrymore directing “Whip It” and Danish director, Ms. Scherfig, with “An Education”, just to name some of the many.
As a result of the incredible female presence in Toronto, questions are drifting over-head as to whether this will be the impetus for female directors to be recognized by Hollywood’s esteemed awards. In 2003, Sophia Coppola screened “Lost in Translation” at the Toronto Film Festival and was nominated for an Oscar for best director. Although she did not win, Coppola was one of only three women ever to earn this honor, Lina Wertmuller and Jane Campion being the others.
Coppola was just one amongst several other remarkable female directors at the festival in 2003, such as Nikki Caro, Catherine Hardwicke, Patty Jenkins and Shari Springer Berman, all of who have made a strong influence on the film industry. Because of their great successes, many are wondering whether this year’s festival will have the same impact as the one just a few years back.
Although as of this year no female has been honored by Hollywood as best director, it is obvious women filmmakers are making their presence known today, and it is only a matter of a short while before an Oscar is placed in the hands of one of these brilliant women.
For more information see http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/11/movies/11women.html?_r=1&ref=global-home
