Black Directors to Watch
For Black History Month this year, we thought we’d highlight some (and by no means all) Black directors who have made their mark on the film industry. Their movies cover all sorts of stories and genres so you’re sure to find at least one movie to enjoy.
Some films are available in our catalogue and others can be watched on Kanopy, which is a great resource you can use for free with your library card! While all the names below are known for their directing, their credit on the films listed below may be writing or producing, instead of directing.
Want more films to choose from? Check out a longer list in our catalogue: nfpl.info/BlackFilmDirectors
Kathleen Collins was just the second Black woman to direct a film. You can view the two films she directed on Kanopy.
Losing Ground (1982)
The Cruz Brothers and Miss Malloy (1980)
For a relatively young director, Ryan Coogler has a lot of films under his belt and a number of award nominations and wins.
Creed (2015)
Black Panther (2018)
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
Julie Dash was the first Black woman to have a wide theatrical release of her feature film, Daughters of the Dust.
Daughters of the Dust (1991)
Illusions (1993)
Ava Duvernay was the first Black woman nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Director and Academy Award for Best Picture.
Middle of Nowhere (2012)
Selma (2104)
A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
And She Could Be Next (2020)
After an eight year break from making feature films, Barry Jenkins directed and co-wrote Moonlight,
which went on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards (as well as a
host of other awards through the season). He became the fourth Black
person to be nominated for Best Director and the second Black person to
direct a Best Picture winner.
Moonlight (2016)
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Perhaps more well-known for her acting, Regina King showed off her feature film directing skills with her debut, One Night in Miami.
One Night in Miami (2020)
Spike Lee is a name known to many movie watchers and he has had a huge number of film credits over the course of his career.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Bamboozled (2000)
Miracle at St. Anna (2008)
If God is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise (2010)
Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2015)
Not to be confused with the actor of the same name, Steve McQueen has directed a number of films and won a Best Director Academy Award for 12 Years a Slave.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Widows (2018)
Oscar Micheaux is considered to be the first major Black filmmaker. He directed and produced 42 feature films between 1919 and 1948 and a number of them can be found on Kanopy. Watch now.
At the age of 24, John Singleton became the youngest
person ever to be nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards and
the first Black director to be nominated.
Shaft (2000)
2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
Sign up for your Kanopy account here: nfpl.info/Movies