Written by Juliana Godoy. Published: March 28 2026
(Photo:
A24)
Women’s
History Month is the perfect time to celebrate women’s stories. It
is also a great time to raise awareness of issues that women face
every day across the world. While mainstream media tends to steer
away from women-focused stories, there are hundreds of independent
filmmakers who are passionate about bringing new perspectives to
the screen. The list below covers diverse themes from motherhood
and sisterhood to identity and trauma. If you’re looking for
something meaningful to watch before the month ends, here are 5
films directed by women, about women, and for women!
1. Saint Omer (2022, dir. Alice Diop)
Inspired by a
real story, Saint Omer is set almost entirely in a
courtroom. The film follows Rama, a novelist who attends the trial
of Coly, a woman who was accused of killing her own child. The plot
unfolds slowly, turning into a philosophical discussion of
motherhood, trauma, isolation, and judgment. Diop presents the
story with empathy and caution, allowing viewers to sit with
uncomfortable questions about the expectations and responsibilities
placed on women. (Stream on Disney+/Hulu)
2. Mustang (2015, dir. Deniz Gamze Ergüven)
This film
tells the story of 5 sisters growing up in a conservative Turkish
village. After an innocent interaction with boys causes a scandal,
their family begins to impose stricter and stricter rules on their
lives, eventually arranging marriages for them. Despite the heavy
subject matter, the film is filled with moments of youthful
rebellion, laughter, and sisterhood. Gamze Ergüven does a great job
of portraying teenage girls who refuse to let their freedom be
taken away without a fight. (Stream on Prime Video)
3. Women Talking (2022, dir. Sarah Polley)
Based on a
true story, a group of American Mennonite women discusses how to
respond after discovering the abuse they have suffered for years
while living in the religious colony. The film is exactly what the
title suggests: it is one big conversation between women as they
debate whether to stay, fight, or leave. Polley’s Oscar-winning
dialogue is honest, and the film highlights the strength that comes
from women supporting one another in the face of danger and
injustice. (Available on VOD/Digital)
4. Summer 1993 (2017, dir. Carla Simón)
This film
follows Frida, a 6-year-old girl who was sent away from her home in
Barcelona to live in the countryside with her uncle and aunt after
her mother passed. She is welcomed with open arms, but she finds it
hard to adapt to her new home or to understand the recent events of
her life. This is an autobiographical debut, and Simón makes the
story feel intimate, gently portraying how children experience loss
and grief through capturing small moments of childhood. (Stream
on PLEX)
5. Sorry, Baby (2025, dir. Eva Victor)
This film’s
official synopsis is vague, and the way to have the best viewing
experience is to go into it without knowing much about the plot.
The story follows Agnes, who realizes she is stuck in the terrible
something that happened to her two 2 years prior. The
cinematography style gives privacy to the characters while still
exposing the impact that a deeply painful moment can have on a
woman’s life. Victor blends humor and vulnerability to explore
trauma, friendship, and recovery. (Stream on HBO Max)
