Break The Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers
In stores May 22, 2025. Order a copy at your local independent bookstore or directly via the publisher Oxford University Press.
Break The Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers is a collection of 24 career-length interviews with directors responsible for worldwide box office phenonmena like Captain Marvel, Oscar wins like Free Solo and the careers of household name celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrara, Paul Rudd and Natasha Lyonne.
Author Kevin Smokler listens as women filmmakers speak to the struggle and triumphs of developing and directing movies that are shaping how the film business sees women in the director’s chair, and how their audiences see themselves and each other. This book is both an opportunity and invitation to devote one’s time, admiration and enthusiasm to movies directed by women.
The 24 directors in this book are Amy Heckerling, Cheryl Dunye, Barbara Kopple, Julie Dash, Patricia Cardoso, Mimi Leder, Jessica Yu, Jamie Babbit, Tamra Davis, Aline Brosh McKenna, Debra Granik, Chris Hegedus, Dawn Porter, Tiffany Shlain, dream hampton, Sheri Springer Berman, Anna Boden, Betsy West & Julie Cohen, E. Chai Vasherlyi, Felicia Pride, Jessica Sharzer, Tanya Saracho, Alice Wu, Erin Lee Carr.
Events (as of May 1, 2025)
5/22 (Thursday)
The Booksmith (San Francisco)
LAUNCH PARTY: IN CONVERSATION WITH TIFFANY SHLAIN
5/31 (Saturday)
Berkshire International Film Festival (Lenox, MA). Afternoon Tea Talk
6/4 (Wednesday)
Greenlight Bookstore (Brooklyn, NY)
IN CONVERSATION WITH DIRECTOR DEBRA GRANIK (WINTER’S BONE)
6/10 (Tuesday)
Literati Bookstore (Ann Arbor, MI) IN CONVERSATION WITH NOVELIST AH KIM (RELATIVE STRANGERS)
7/11 (Friday)
Berkeley City Club (Berkeley, CA) PRIVATE EVENT
7/17-720 (Weekend)
Waco Indie Film Festival (Waco, TX) IN CONVERSATION WITH WOMEN DIRECTORS SCREENING AT FESTIVAL. BOOKS SOLD BY FABLED BOOKSHOP.
“A welcome spotlight on the considerable achievements of female filmmakers.” — Kirkus Reviews.
“A strong choice for any film collection.” — Library Journal
