Last week, Alliance of Women Directors gathered our community for a special International Women’s Day Salon, an afternoon of thoughtful conversation, connection, and reflection on the state of the industry and the power of directors’ voices.
At a time when industry data shows a continued decline in the hiring of women directors across film and television, the event served as both a moment of honesty and a reminder of the resilience within our community. For nearly 30 years, Alliance of Women Directors has advocated for women and gender-expansive directors in film, television, and new media. This gathering brought that mission into the room through two timely conversations focused on authorship, career advancement, and creative courage.
We are deeply grateful to our generous sponsors Wrapbook, Roadmap Writers, and First Entertainment Credit Union, whose support helped make this gathering possible.
Reclaiming the Frame: Actors Stepping Into the Director’s Chair
The first panel explored the path from performing to directing with directors and actors Natalie Morales, America Young, and Keesha Sharp in a candid discussion about navigating the transition behind the camera.
The conversation touched on the unique perspective actors bring to directing. All three speakers reflected on how years spent on set observing both excellent and ineffective leadership helped shape the kind of directors they aspire to be.
Natalie Morales shared that part of her motivation to direct came from a desire to see stories like her own reflected on screen. When those stories weren’t appearing, she realized she could help create them.
Keesha Sharp spoke about the importance of mentorship in making the leap from acting to directing, crediting longtime television director and AWD Icon Mary Lou Belli as a champion who encouraged and supported her transition behind the camera.
America Young reflected on how her time working across stunts, acting, and directing helped her define her approach to leadership on set. She emphasized the importance of preparation, respect, and calm leadership, noting that the environment a director creates has a profound impact on everyone involved in the storytelling process.
Together, the panel illuminated how artists can transform years of on-set observation into a directing practice grounded in empathy, clarity, and collaboration.
Directing in the Now: Storytelling, Power, and the Political Moment
The second panel turned toward the broader landscape of authorship and responsibility in today’s cultural moment.
Directors Patricia Riggen and Jen McGowan joined producer Wendy Calhoun for a conversation about navigating creative work in an industry that is constantly evolving both politically and economically.
Jen McGowan spoke candidly about the challenges of being fully oneself in public spaces, particularly on social media. The discussion touched on the tension many filmmakers feel between expressing their values openly and navigating the professional risks that can come with visibility.
Patricia Riggen reflected on her career path directing large-scale projects, noting that many opportunities in studio filmmaking have historically required directors to step into stories created by others. She shared that she is now increasingly interested in returning to more personal storytelling and bringing her own voice to the forefront.
Wendy Calhoun guided the conversation toward practical pathways for emerging directors seeking their first break. The panel explored alternative routes into the industry, including the rise of vertical micro-dramas and other emerging distribution models that are opening new doors for storytellers.
Building Community in a Challenging Moment
Throughout the afternoon, the discussions reinforced a central truth: while the challenges facing directors today are real, so is the power of community, mentorship, and collective advocacy.
Events like the International Women’s Day Salon remind us that career advancement does not happen in isolation. It grows from conversations, shared experience, and the willingness to support one another through an evolving industry landscape.
A powerful reminder of that spirit came from Mary Lou Belli, who helped bring the event together. In her remarks, she encouraged everyone in the room to actively support the work of women and gender-expansive directors by showing up for their films in theaters and championing their work. In an industry where visibility matters, she reminded us that one of the most meaningful ways we can create change is by uplifting one another.
We left the room inspired, energized, and reminded of what has always driven Alliance of Women Directors forward: directors supporting directors, and building a future where more voices have the opportunity to lead behind the camera.