Read 26 Screenplays of Award-Nominated Films by Female Writers & Directors – 2015-2012

By February 19, 2015Lists, Resources

The 2015 Academy Awards are unfortunately known for their lack of diversity and for presenting no individual female nominees among the 26 Directing, Cinematography and Screenwriting categories.

From Frozen to Zero Dark Thirty and Bridesmaids to Shame, discover, download and read 26 scripts by female writers & directors of films nominated for the Oscars, BAFTA, Golden Globes and major awards from 2015 to 2012, legally available for educational purposes.

Summary: 2015 – Gone Girl, Unbroken… | 2014 – Dallas Buyers Club, Frozen… | 2013 – Zero Dark Thirty, Wreck It Ralph… | 2012 – Bridesmaids, Shame…

 

2015

Gone Girl
written by Gillian Flynn

gone-girl-news-women-film

With his wife’s disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it’s suspected that he may not be innocent.

Gone Girl
written by Gillian Flynn
Based on her novel
20th Century Fox
Best Adapted Screenplay at the Alliance of Women Film Journalists EDA Awards
Best Woman Screenwriter at the Alliance of Women Film Journalists EDA Awards
Nominated for Best Screenplay at the Golden Globes & BAFTA
Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Writers Guild of America Awards
Oscar nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Watch the trailer of Gone Girl on Fighters & Gone Girls – Trailers & Releases
 

The Boxtrolls
by Irena Brignull and Adam Pava

boxtrolls

A young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator.

The Boxtrolls
by Irena Brignull and Adam Pava
Based on the book “Here Be Monsters” by Alan Snow
Focus Features
Oscar, BAFTA & Golden Globes nominations for Best Animated Feature Film

Belle
written by Misan Sagay

Belle-Misan-Sagay

The mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral is raised by her aristocratic great-uncle in 18th century England.

Belle
Written by Misan Sagay
Directed by Amma Asante
Fox Searchlight
Won the British Independent Film Award for Best Actress
Won Image Awards for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture & Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

Find Misan Sagay on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
Find Amma Asante on the Hollywomen Directors Board
 

Unbroken
directed by Angelina Jolie

unbroken-angelina-jolie

After a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, Olympian Louis Zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before he’s caught by the Japanese navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.


Unbroken
Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen and Richard LaGravenese and William Nicholson
Based on the book by Laura Hillenbrand
Directed by Angelina Jolie
Won the AFI Movie of the Year Award
Oscar nominations for Best Achievement in Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing

2014

Before Midnight
co-written by Julie Delpy

Before-Midnight-screenplay-julie-delpy

We meet Jesse and Celine nine years on in Greece. Almost two decades have passed since their first meeting on that train bound for Vienna.

Before Midnight
September 1, 2012 draft script
Written by Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke
Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay

Find Julie Delpy on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
 

The Bling Ring
written by Sophia Coppola

Bling-Ring-screenplay

Inspired by actual events, a group of fame-obsessed teenagers use the internet to track celebrities’ whereabouts in order to rob their homes.

The Bling Ring
March 16, 2012 Blue Revised Shooting Script
Written by Sofia Coppola
Nominated for the Cannes Festival Un Certain Regard Award

Find Sofia Coppola on the Hollywomen Directors Board
Find Sofia Coppola on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
 

Dallas Buyers Club
written by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack

dallas-buyer-club-screenplay

In 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is himself diagnosed with the disease.

Dallas Buyers Club
December 2, 2011 Green revised draft script
Written by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack
Won Oscars for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role & Supporting Role, Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling
Oscar nominations for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Achievement in Film Editing, Best Writing, Original Screenplay

Enough Said
written by Nicole Holofcener

Enough-Said-screenplay

A divorced woman who decides to pursue the man she’s interested in learns he’s her new friend’s ex-husband.

Enough Said
Written by Nicole Holofcener
Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Screen Actors Guild Awards nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Won Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards for Best Woman Director & Best Woman Screenwriter

Find Nicole Holofcener on the Hollywomen Directors Board
 

Frozen
written by Jennifer Lee

frozen-jennifer-lee-screenplay

When the newly crowned Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to turn things into ice to curse her home in infinite winter, her sister, Anna, teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to change the weather condition.

Frozen
September 23, 2013 draft script
Written by Jennifer Lee
Won Oscars for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year & Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Won a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film
Won BAFTAs for Best Animated Film & BAFTA Kids Vote – Feature Film
Won Alliance of Women Film Journalists EDA Awards for Best Animated Female & Best Animated Feature Film
Won Annie Awards for Best Animated Feature & Outstanding Achievement in Directing in an Animated Feature Production, Music in an Animated Feature Production, Production Design in an Animated Feature Production, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production

Discover Jennifer Lee on Time & Superpowers – News Round-Up #2
Discover Jennifer Lee on Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards 2014
Find Jennifer Lee on the Hollywomen Directors Board
Find Jennifer Lee on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
 

The Invisible Woman
written by Abi Morgan

the-invisible-woman

At the height of his career, Charles Dickens meets a younger woman who becomes his secret lover until his death.

The Invisible Woman
June 12, 2012 Blue Revised final shooting script
Written by Abi Morgan
Oscar nomination for Best Achievement in Costume Design

Find Abi Morgan on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
 

Saving Mr. Banks
written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith

saving-mr-banks-kelly-marcel-screenplay

Author P.L. Travers reflects on her childhood after reluctantly meeting with Walt Disney, who seeks to adapt her Mary Poppins books for the big screen.

Saving Mr. Banks
Written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith
Oscar nomination for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score

Find Kelly Marcel on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
 

Wadja
written by Haifaa Al Mansour

Wadjda-screenplay

An enterprising Saudi girl signs on for her school’s Koran recitation competition as a way to raise the remaining funds she needs in order to buy the green bicycle that has captured her interest.


Wadja
September 14, 2011 9th draft script
Written by Haifaa Al Mansour
BAFTA nomination for Best Film not in the English Language

Learn more about Haifaa Al Mansour’s upcoming biopic of Mary Shelley on Blood & Stars – News Round-up #3
Find Haifaa Al Mansour on the Hollywomen Directors Board
 

2013

Beasts of the Southern Wild
written by Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin

beaste-of-the-southern-wild

Faced with both her hot-tempered father’s fading health and melting ice-caps that flood her ramshackle bayou community and unleash ancient aurochs, six-year-old Hushpuppy must learn the ways of courage and love.

Beasts of the Southern Wild
Written by Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin
Based on the stage play “Juicy and Delicious” by Lucy Alibar
Won the AFI Movie of the Year Award
Oscar nomination for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Best Achievement in Directing

Find Lucy Alibar on the Hollywomen Directors Board
 

Zero Dark Thirty
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

zero-dark-thirty

A chronicle of the decade-long hunt for al-Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L. Team 6 in May 2011.

Zero Dark Thirty
Written by Mark Boal
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Won the AFI Movie Of The Year Award
Won the Oscar for Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay, Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Best Achievement in Film Editing

Find Kathryn Bigelow on the Hollywomen Directors Board
 

Celeste and Jesse Forever
written by Rashida Jones & Will McCormack

celeste-jesse-forever

A divorcing couple tries to maintain their friendship while they both pursue other people.

Celeste and Jesse Forever
May 1, 2011 white draft script
Written by Rashida Jones & Will McCormack
Nominated for Best First Screenplay at the Independent Spirit Award

Learn more about the documentary Hot Girls Wanted produced by Rashida Jones on 13 Documentaries In Competition Directed By Women To Discover At Sundance
Find Rashida Jones on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
 

Middle of Nowhere
written by Ava DuVernay

middle-of-nowhere-ava-duvernay

When her husband is sentenced to eight years in prison, Ruby drops out of medical school in order to focus on her husband’s well-being while he’s incarcerated – leading her on a journey of self-discovery in the process.

Middle of Nowhere
Written by Ava DuVernay
Won the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards
Won the Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival

Listen to Ava DuVernay and discover her workflow on Watch Ava DuVernay’s Talks on Directing, Passion, Creativity & History
Discover Ava DuVernay’s Martin Luther King biopic Selma on 16 Films To Discover At The AFI Fest & Detectives & Leaders – Watch The Trailers Of New Movie & TV Releases Directed By Women
Find Ava DuVernay on the Hollywomen Directors Board
 

Smashed
written by Susan Burke & James Ponsoldt

Smashed

A married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of alcohol gets their relationship put to the test when the wife decides to get sober.

Smashed
September 24th, 2011 blue production draft script
Written by James Ponsoldt & Susan Burke
Nominated for the Grand Special Prize at the Deauville Film Festival
Nominated for Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirit Award

Wreck It Ralph
written by Jennifer Lee & Phil Johnson

wreck_it_ralph

A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.


Wreck It Ralph
Written by by Phil Johnson and Jennifer Lee
Oscar & Golden Globes nominations for Best Animated Feature
Won the Annie Awards for Best Animated Feature, Directing in an Animated Feature Production, Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production, Writing in an Animated Feature Production, Music in an Animated Feature Production

Discover Jennifer Lee on Time & Superpowers – News Round-Up #2
Discover Jennifer Lee on Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards 2014
Find Jennifer Lee on the Hollywomen Directors Board
Find Jennifer Lee on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
 

2012

Bridesmaids
written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig

bridesmaids-screenplay

Competition between the maid of honor and a bridesmaid, over who is the bride’s best friend, threatens to upend the life of an out-of-work pastry chef.

Bridesmaids
Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
Won the AFI Movie of the Year Award
Oscar & BAFTA nominations for Best Original Screenplay & Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Won the Alliance of Women Film Journalists for Best Ensemble Cast

Learn more about Paul Feig’s upcoming all-female Ghostbusters on Katie Dippold Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghost
Find Kristen Wiig on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
Find Annie Mumolo on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
 

The Debt
written by Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn & Peter Straughan

the-debt-screenplay

In 1965, three Mossad agents cross into East Berlin to apprehend a notorious Nazi war criminal. Thirty years later, the secrets the agents share come back to haunt them.

The Debt
March 29, 2009 revised script
Written by Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman and Peter Straughan
Won the Alliance of Women Film Journalists EDA Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in the Film Industry (Jessica Chastain) & Actress Defying Age and Ageism (Helen Mirren)

Find Jane Goldman on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
 

The Iron Lady
written by Abi Morgan

the-iron-lady

An elderly Margaret Thatcher talks to the imagined presence of her recently deceased husband as she struggles to come to terms with his death while scenes from her past life, from girlhood to British prime minister, intervene.

The Iron Lady
Written by Abi Morgan
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd
Won Oscars & BAFTAs for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role & Best Achievement in Makeup

Find Abi Morgan on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
 

Jane Eyre
written by Moira Buffini

jane-eyre

A mousy governess who softens the heart of her employer soon discovers that he’s hiding a terrible secret.

Jane Eyre
Written by Moira Buffini
Based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë
Oscar & BAFTA nomination for Best Achievement in Costume Design

Follow Charlotte Brontë and her sisters’ footsteps on Travel with Agatha Christie & Jane Austen on LibrAdventures – The Literary Atlas
 

Pariah
written by Dee Rees

paria-dee-rees

A Brooklyn teenager juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak, and family in a desperate search for sexual expression.

Pariah
Written by Dee Rees
Won the Breakthrough Director Award at the Gotham Awards
Won the Outstanding Independent Motion Picture Award at the Image Awards
Won the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards

Find Dee Rees on the Hollywomen Directors Board
 

Shame
written by Abi Morgan & Steve McQueen

shame-abi-morgan-screenplay

In New York City, Brandon’s carefully cultivated private life — which allows him to indulge his sexual addiction — is disrupted when his sister arrives unannounced for an indefinite stay.

Shame
Written by Steve McQueen and Abi Morgan
Won the Black Reel Award for Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted & Best Director
BAFTA & Golden Globes nominations for Best Leading Actor & Best British Film

Find Abi Morgan on the Hollywomen Screenwriters Board
 

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
written by Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan

Tinker-Tailor-Soldier-Spy-screenplay

In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
December 17, 2010 revised draft script
Written by Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan
Won BAFTAs for Best Adapted Screenplay & Best British Film
Oscar nominations for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Best Adapted Screenplay & Best Original Score

 

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