Celluloid Ceiling

An extensive overview of female film directors worldwide, showing how they are breaking through the 'Celluloid Ceiling', and succeeding in a still very male-dominated industry. The book contains exclusive interviews with women film directors, explores the impact of digital technology, and reaches some surprising conclusions.


Now that Kathryn Bigelow has made history as the first woman to win an Oscar for directing, we ask whether this is a new era for women filmmakers. This unique international overview highlights emerging women directors and groundbreaking pioneers, and provides a one-stop guide to the leading film directors of the 21st century, and the people who inspired them.


From the blockbusters of the Hollywood studios to emerging voices from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Laos, we learn of women making films in traditionally male-dominated areas such as action, fantasy and horror. There are contributions from countries with film industries in every state from nascent to mature, and this book demonstrates how economic and technological change is creating new opportunities for women film directors everywhere.

***** “BEST BOOK ON WOMEN DIRECTORS DUE TO ITS GLOBAL OVERVIEW” — Diane, Amazon

***** “Gabrielle Kelly and Cheryl Robson have crafted a watershed work. CELLULOID CEILING is essential reading for anyone who wants to know how women directors are helping reshape filmmaking.” — D.A. Morris, Amazon

***** “This book is an essential resource for anyone tracking the inspiring work being done by women film directors from around the world.” — UCF Film

«The level of public consciousness about the barriers faced by female filmmakers is higher than it has ever been. Despite this, the discussion more often than not centres around North America and to a lesser extent, Europe, Australia and New Zealand (and I am guilty as charged). This is perfectly understandable, but clearly women do make films outside of these countries, and it can be illuminating to consider how their experiences reflect or differ from those with which we are more familiar.
To this end, the arrival of a new book, “The Celluloid Ceiling,” could not be more timely. Edited by Gabrielle Kelly and Cheryl Robson, it takes a purposefully global overview of the status quo and in doing so provides some fascinating stories and insights, reminding us of what is lost when we limit the discussion to Anglophone directors.”
— Matthew Hammett Knott, indiewire