The fight for women to be recognized for their directorial achievements stretches back for decades, but, too often, the screenwriters aren’t given that same spotlight. This year, however, is a rare one in which female screenwriters are also among the top award contenders for adapted film script. Jane Campion (“The Power of the Dog”), Maggie Gyllenhaal (“The Lost Daughter”), Rebecca Hall (“Passing”) and Siân Heder (“CODA”).
If three of the writer-directors are nominated for best adapted screenplay, it’ll be the most female-written films recognized since 1991, which included “Europa Europa” (Agnieszka Holland), “Fried Green Tomatoes”(Fannie Flagg & Carol Sobieski). “The Prince of Tides”(Becky Johnston shared her nom avec Pat Conroy. It would be the Academy’s most significant achievement in history.
Three of the three women were honored by the USC Scripter Awards. Previous nominees have a strong translation that has attracted Academy attention. Heder, who wasn’t nominated, was ineligible because “CODA”It is a remake a feature from an international publication and not a work previously published.
In 93 years, seven films written by women have been awarded adapted screenplays. “Little Women”(1933) Sarah Y. Mason “Mrs. Miniver”(1942) By Claudine West (shared by George Froeschel and James Hilton), “A Room with a View”(1986) “Howard’s End”(1992) Ruth Prawer Jhabvala “Sense and Sensibility”(1995) Emma Thompson “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”(2003) By Fran Walsh and Philippa Boys (also shared by Peter Jackson) “Brokeback Mountain”(2005) by Diana Ossana (shared avec Larry McMurtry).
Comparatively, in five years, three female-written movies have been nominated in original screenplay (1949-1955, 1957, 2007 and 2017). The only time three women with no writing credits were nominated for the same category was 2007 (Tamara Jenkins). “The Savages,” Nancy Oliver for “Lars and the Real Girl”Diablo Cody was the winner “Juno”). The screenplay awards have been won by only two female writers (we were pretty close last year). “Nomadland”And “Promising Young Woman”).
Each of the four scribes in this year’s race would bring their own historical feats if they make the cut.
Gyllenhaal would be third woman ever to be honored in the acting and screenwriting categories behind Oscar winners Ruth Gordon, Emma Thompson, and Emma Smith. Only Gyllenhaal won the screenplay and acting categories for best actress. “Howard’s End”And “Sense and Sensibility,” respectively. Gyllenhaal was nominated for an Oscar in support actress. “Crazy Heart” (2009).
Gyllenhaal would also be nominated along with Rebecca Hall (Netflix) as the second and third respectively. A feature director’s debut nomination will be made for Gyllenhaal and Rebecca Hall, the second (and third?) nominees. Emerald Fennell was the first, and she won original screenplay award last year. “Promising Young Woman.”
Campion, the screenplay writer who won an original screenplay “The Piano”(1993) would have been the first time a woman has ever been nominated for screenplay in either category. Campion was nominated for directing. “Dog” would mark the first woman director to be nominated twice since she became the second woman to ever be nominated in ’93.
Heder would be the second woman nominated for penning a remake of a previous film (the first was Greta Gerwig for 2019’s “Little Women”), and the first to do it from a non-English feature (based on the French spoken “La Famille Bélier”Starting in 2014.
Other female scribes (sole and co-writers) are also in the conversation, but they have slimmer chances of being selected. Kim Morgan (“Nightmare Alley”), Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“No Time to Die”), Becky Johnston (“House of Gucci”), Nicole Holofcener (“The Last Duel”), Erica Schmidt (“Cyrano”), Emma Seligman (“Shiva Baby”) and Quiara Alegría Hudes (“In the Heights”) are all in contention.
It is notable that all female filmmakers are eligible for additional noms in best directors (most serving as producers). Campion currently ranks in the top spot of the Oscar predictions chart. Heder is gaining serious momentum after. “CODA”He has been very successful with the precursors. The women’s leadership behind the camera will likely produce a record for the most acting performances nominated, from films helmed by women; contenders Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Kirsten Dunst, Troy Kotsur, Ruth Negga and Kodi Smit-McPhee are highly probable for nominations, and perhaps even wins.