Golden Globes Makes History By Nominating Three Female Filmmakers for Best Director

Finally.

Earlier this week, we got all the deets about the Golden Globe nominations, and while there were some disappointing misses (*cough* I May Destroy You *cough*) there were also some highlights to this year's noms.

Regina King (One Night in Miami), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland) and Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) have all been nominated in the Best Director category, which is amazing news, because it’s the first time we’ve seen more than one female director nominated for the award in the Golden Globes' 77-year history.

In fact, only five female directors have ever been nominated, which is a pretty poor effort if you ask me.

Previously, only Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVerney and Jane Campion have received a single nomination, while Barbara Streisand and Kathryn Bigelow have both been nominated twice. Of course, Barbara is still the only woman to have ever actually won the award for Yentl in 1983.

In 1983, @BarbraStreisand became the first woman to be nominated for Best Director at the Golden Globes and won for YENTL. Since then, 7 female filmmakers have been nominated for the same award including 3 this year: Emerald Fennell, Regina King, and Chloé Zhao. pic.twitter.com/pTiqA9LNjj

— TCM (@tcm) February 4, 2021

Fennell is most well known for her role as Camilla Parker Bowels in The Crown, which currently leads the TV categories with six nominations. Fennell's nomination is for her work on the rape revenge comedy Promising Young Woman.

#PromisingYoungWoman was one of the best films from last year. Happy to see it racking up multiple nominations, including Best Director (Emerald Fennell), Best Actress (Carey Mulligan), Best Picture and Best Screenplay. #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/DbhTEmycjj

— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) February 3, 2021

The thriller/comedy that is Promising Young Woman tells the story of Cassie—portrayed by Carey Mulligan, who is nominated for Best Actress—and how an encounter she did not expect prompts her to change the wrongs of her past.

King has been nominated for her work on One Night in Miami, with a history of 4 total nominations and one win in 2019 for Best Supporting Actress in If Beale Street Could Talk. King makes double history, as the second African-American woman to receive a nomination for Best Director.

Regina King has been nominated in the Best Director category for One Night In Miami, becoming the second Black woman *ever* in the category

(Ava DuVernay was the first) #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/zBiQgMLy7n

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 3, 2021

One Night in Miami, a 1960s story of two African American men talking the responsibilities of becoming successful in the midst of the civil rights movement, took out an impressive three nominations.

And last but certainly not least, Zhao has been nominated for her work on Nomadland, both for Best Director and for Best Screenplay of a Motion Picture, taking out two nominations this year. Zhao also makes history twice as the first Asian woman to ever be nominated for the award.

Eternally grateful for Chloé Zhao — who is now the first Asian woman to be nominated for Best Director at the #GoldenGlobes. pic.twitter.com/jDLhBI6swV

— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) February 3, 2021

Nomadland is a melancholic look into the lives of disadvantaged Americans, specifically following the life of a woman who lives on the road following the recession.

The directors will also be up against Aaron Sorkin for his work on The Trial of the Chicago 7, and David Fincher who directed Mank.

Mank currently leads the field in films this year with six nominations.

With three female directors nominated, fingers crossed we'll finally see a female Best Director winner in 2021. Watch this space.

The Golden Globe Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, 28 February 2021.

Header Image: Mike Marsland, Amanda Edwards and Daniele Venturelli via Getty Images