At the 2026 Oscar nominations, Natalie Portman openly condemned the Academy for sidelining female directors once more. The 44-year-old actress voiced her concerns while promoting her latest film, The Gallerist, directed by Cathy Yan, pointing out that women filmmakers remain underrepresented in major award categories despite their remarkable work.
Portman emphasized the persistent barriers women face in the film industry, highlighting that many outstanding films made by women have gone unrecognized at award ceremonies.
“So many of the best films I saw this year were made by women,”
she said in a Variety interview at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
“You just see the barriers at every level because so many were not recognized at awards time.”
Recognition Gap for Women Directors Despite Strong Work
Among the notable films overlooked were Sorry Baby, Left-Handed Girl, Hedda, and The Testament of Ann Lee, which Portman described as “extraordinary” movies that audiences admire but that have not received deserved acclaim. Though Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet secured eight nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, it remains the only film directed by a woman among the 10 contenders for Best Picture.
The other nominees in the Best Director category included Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme, Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another, Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value, and Ryan Coogler for Sinners, all male directors.
Obstacles Persist for Women Filmmakers at Every Stage
Portman pointed out that women directors struggle with numerous hurdles in making films, ranging from securing financing to gaining acceptance at festivals.
“Even when you pass the barriers of getting your financing, which is harder, getting into festivals, which is harder. Every step of the road is harder, and then you’re out and it’s great, and then it also doesn’t get the attention,”
she said, concluding,
“We have a lot of work to do still.”
Despite these challenges, Portman highlighted the sense of solidarity among women in the industry.
“But joyfully, with a lot of joy, working with each other,”
she added.
“And it’s a very special process to be in community with women on set.”
Historic Wins for Women Directors Remain Rare
Only three women have won the Best Director Oscar to date. Chloé Zhao took the award in 2021 for Nomadland. Kathryn Bigelow won in 2010 for The Hurt Locker, and Jane Campion was honored in 2022 for The Power of the Dog. Still, the overall lack of female nominees remains a glaring issue.
Portman’s Ongoing Advocacy for Female Directors
This is not the first time Natalie Portman has challenged the Academy on this issue. At the 2020 Oscars, she made a powerful statement by wearing a black cape embroidered with the names of female directors who were snubbed that year, including Greta Gerwig, director of Little Women. Additionally, in 2018, while presenting the Best Director award at the Golden Globes alongside Ron Howard, she famously pointed out the absence of women among nominees by saying,
“And here are all the male nominees.”
Portman herself is an Oscar winner, having received the Best Actress award for her role in Black Swan at the 2011 Academy Awards. She has earned nominations for films such as Closer (2005) and Jackie (2017), and currently holds a nomination in the Best Animated Feature category as a producer of Arco.
Details on The Gallerist and Portman’s Role at Sundance
Portman’s newest project, The Gallerist, is a dark comedy thriller also starring Jenna Ortega, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sterling K. Brown, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph. The story revolves around a gallery owner, played by Portman, who devises a plan to sell artwork from a deceased artist at Art Basel in Miami.
While attending Sundance this year, Portman also voiced vehement opposition to a recent fatal shooting by Department of Homeland Security agents in Minneapolis. This incident involved intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, who was reportedly shot multiple times after attempting to film the arrest of a female protester. Video footage showed agents tackling Pretti before one opened fire.
Portman Speaks Out on Immigration Crackdown and Community Response
Joined by Olivia Wilde and other celebrities, Portman wore an “ICE Out” pin in solidarity with protesters opposing immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis and other locations. She expressed deep concern about the current state of the United States, calling it “quite devastating.” In her Variety interview, she condemned the brutality linked to ICE, insisting it must stop immediately.
“But also there’s a beautiful community that Americans are showing right now. They’re showing up for each other, protecting each other and fighting for their freedom,”
Portman said.
“It’s a bittersweet moment to celebrate something we’re so proud of on the backdrop of our nation in pain.”
