At the Sundance Film Festival, actress Natalie Portman openly criticized the ongoing underrepresentation of women directors in the Oscars 2026 nominations. Speaking shortly after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the year’s nominees, she highlighted the disappointment over several highly regarded films directed by women being overlooked in key award categories.
Unrecognized Films by Women Directors Highlighted by Portman
In a video shared by Variety from Sundance, Portman remarked that many of the most impressive movies she saw this year were directed by women but were largely ignored during award season. She referenced titles such as Sorry Baby, Left-Handed Girl, Hedda, and The Testament of Ann Lee as extraordinary works that resonated deeply with audiences but failed to earn major nominations.
She said,
“So many of the best films I saw this year were made by women. You just see the barriers at every level because so many were not recognised at the awards time. Between ‘Sorry Baby’ and ‘Left-Handed Girl’ and ‘Hedda’ and ‘The Testament of Ann Lee’… Extraordinary films this year that I think a lot of people are enjoying and loving, but are not getting the accolades they deserve,”
Natalie Portman.
Chloé Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’ a Rare Female-Directed Film Securing Multiple Nominations
Although several women-directed films were excluded, Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet stood out with eight nominations, including crucial categories such as Best Picture and Best Director. This acknowledgement was a notable exception amid the wider pattern of female filmmakers being sidelined. Meanwhile, Portman participated in Sundance to promote her own upcoming project, The Gallerist, directed by Cathy Yan and starring Jenna Ortega. The film tells a darkly satirical story centered on an art dealer’s shocking plan to sell a dead body at Art Basel Miami.
Competitive Edge in Oscars 2026 and Acting Category Highlights
The Oscar nominations announced on January 22 signaled a fierce competition this awards season. Michael B. Jordan’s film Sinners led with a record-breaking 16 nods, closely followed by other strong contenders such as One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value, and Frankenstein. In acting categories, Timothée Chalamet made history as the youngest male actor to earn three Best Actor nominations, joined by Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan, and Wagner Moura.
International and Animated Films Feature Prominently among Nominees
The Oscars once again showcased strong international cinema entries, while the Animated Feature category included high-profile releases like the box-office success Zootopia 2 and Netflix’s popular K-Pop Demon Hunters. These selections underscore the diverse range of films competing in various genres this year.
Implications of the Snub on Women Directors’ Future Recognition
Portman’s remarks emphasize the persistent challenges women filmmakers face within the awards landscape, reflecting broader industry barriers to recognition and visibility. As the 2026 Oscars approach, this criticism may increase pressure on the Academy to reassess its nomination processes and support gender equity. The spotlight on films like Hamnet and the continued dialogue fostered by influential voices such as Portman could encourage more inclusive consideration in future award seasons.
Natalie Portman says that "so many women" were snubbed for award nominations, including for films like "Sorry, Baby" and "The Testament of Ann Lee": "We have a lot of work to do still."
Variety Studio presented by @Audible_com pic.twitter.com/0klVn0s5RY
— Variety (@Variety) January 24, 2026
