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6 Unstoppable Women in LGBT Film

2015 is already shaping up to be a big year for women in film. This is especially true for lesbian and queer women who work in front of and behind the camera, and filmmakers trying to produce films with LGBT characters and themes.

While women, queer and straight, still fight to have even close to equal representation in major films, the success of female led films has been tossing boulders through Hollywood’s glass ceiling. Much of that success can be attributed to strong, smart actors, producers and directors who are pushing to have their visions and voices heard.

Here are some of those women who are using their talents to inspire and change the face of Hollywood, and make it much more diverse and inclusive.

The out filmmaker and producing partner Alexadra Roxo had great success with their web series Be Here Nowish, but it’s Leithe’s feature film directorial debut, Bare, that is the real game changer. The film, which premiered at Tribeca, stars Dianna Agron as an aimless young women in a small Nevada town, whose life is completely changed with the arrival of a charming and wild drifter (played by Paz De La Huerta). The stunning film received a lot of buzz and attention and will hopefully be available for all to see very soon.

Cate Blanchett can do no wrong. A powerhouse of an actress, she brings a sense of grace to any role she plays. Fans have been eagerly waiting for what feels like ages for Blanchett’s new film, Carol, which premiered at Cannes. Based on a Patricia Highsmith novel, Carol is the story of a married woman (Blanchett) who falls deeply in love with a shop girl and actress (played by Rooney Mara) in the 1950s.

Dee Rees really blew our minds in the best way with her 2011 feature film Pariah, a coming of age film about a young, black queer woman and her struggles and triumphs. Her latest film about the life and loves of Bessie Smith, starring Queen Latifah, recently aired on HBO to much praise. The writer/director has a lot to say and we want to listen to every bit. Dee recently picked up an Emmy nomination for her work on Bessie, and the film was also nominated for Best Television Movie. With this much momentum, we think Dee Rees is indeed unstoppable and we can’t wait to see her new project with Shonda Rhimes.

The openly lesbian Ellen Page is becoming a real tour de force in Hollywood lately, not only acting in films, but also producing the upcoming films Into the Forest and Freeheld. Page has been pushing to get Freeheld made for years, and that has finally come to fruition this year as the film is due to be released this October. It’s based on the true story of a lesbian couple, police officer Laurel Hester (played by Julianne Moore) and her younger partner Stacie Andree (Page), who fought to have a dying Hester’s pension transferred to Andree. An important story that will likely be an equally important film.

With the new film Margarita with a Straw, Indian born director/writer Shonali Bose tells a coming of age story rarely seen on the screen. Her leading character, Laila (who has cerebral palsy) travels from India to New York City to study. While there, she meets and falls in love with a blind female student and activist named Khanum. India has a history of banning and censoring films with queer content and Margarita is no exception; the film has already banned in Bengaluru. However, Bose has fought to keep the integrity of her film, and continue tell stories that need to be told.

Out producer Megan Ellison is on a roll. She’s produced so many award winning films already (including Zero Dark Thirty, American Hustle and Foxcatcher), that soon there won’t be any room left on her mantle. The 29-year-old producer has more hits under her belt than many folks twice her age. Whether she’s rocking the red carpet in a suit, or producing the next blockbuster hit, she’s showing no signs of slowing down. We need powerful queer women in Hollywood, and Megan is certainly leading the way for the younger generation.

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