Celebrating the First Female Filmmakers with Pioneers Series

Last week, a new program was staged at movie theater BAMcinématek in New York that celebrated early female filmmakers. The program was titled “Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers” and screened July 20th through July 26th. It was put together in partnership with The Library of Congress and Kino Lorber, a leader in film distribution.

The series was curated by Shelley Stamp (historian) and produced by Bret Wood (film director and author). It features newly restored classic (and often neglected) films in 2K made by female filmmakers from the time of America’s silent film era.

Back then, female directors were often co-credited or uncredited, even if they were the main creative power behind the film or the only director. The older films shown at “Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers” have been re-scored and restored, so today we can see what women filmmakers were creating 100 years ago.

The featured filmmakers and films include Marion E. Wong and her film Curse of Quon Gwon: When the Far East Mingles with the West (1916, pictured above), Dorothy Davenport and Linda (1929), Lule Warrenton and her film When Little Lindy Sang (1916), Lois Weber and Fine Feathers (1912), among others.

Learn more about the program and its features here.