8 Powerful Documentaries Directed by Women & Where To Watch Them

Here are 8 impactful documentaries directed by women, each showcasing powerful stories and diverse perspectives.

Here are 8 impactful documentaries directed by women, each showcasing powerful stories and diverse perspectives.

13th (2016) Director: Ava DuVernay Plot: This documentary examines the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States, focusing on the Thirteenth Amendment and its role in shaping the prison-industrial complex. Where to Watch: Netflix

Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018) Director: Morgan Neville Plot: Although directed by a male filmmaker, this documentary about Fred Rogers and his impact on children's television is an excellent exploration of compassion, kindness, and empathy. Where to Watch: HBO Max

The Cave (2019) Director: Feras Fayyad Plot: Set in Syria, this gripping documentary follows Dr. Amani Ballour, a pediatrician and the manager of a hospital in a warzone, as she navigates the horrors of conflict and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field. Where to Watch: Netflix

The Edge of Democracy (2019) Director: Petra Costa Plot: This documentary offers an intimate portrait of Brazil's recent political crisis, focusing on the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff and the rise of Jair Bolsonaro. Where to Watch: Netflix

Period. End of Sentence. (2018) Director: Rayka Zehtabchi Plot: This short documentary sheds light on the taboo surrounding menstruation in rural India and how a group of women have fought back by creating a sanitary pad machine, empowering others in their community. Where to Watch: Netflix

Miss Representation (2011) Director: Jennifer Siebel Newsom Plot: This documentary explores the portrayal of women in media, highlighting how underrepresentation and negative stereotypes contribute to the limited roles women play in society. Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Under the Same Sun (2015) Director: Maryam Zaree Plot: A poignant documentary about the experience of Iranian women and their fight for freedom and justice, focusing on the story of Zaree's own mother, who was imprisoned and tortured for her political beliefs. Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

The Great Hack (2019) Directors: Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim Plot: This documentary explores the dark side of data and its role in influencing politics and society, particularly looking at the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Where to Watch: Netflix