--- title: JCU Showcases Italian Female Film Directors description: Italian female directors have made a significant impact on film, and continue to produce work which influences and inspires younger generations of filmmakers. image: https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/1397671569729.jpg --- [![JCULogo1](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo1.png?width=300&height=80&name=JCULogo1.png "JCULogo1")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) [![JCULogo2](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo2.png?width=300&height=82&name=JCULogo2.png "JCULogo2")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) - [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/undergraduate) - [Graduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/graduate) - [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/study-abroad) - [Italian](https://blog.johncabot.edu/it/blog) - [Website](https://www.johncabot.edu/) - Filter By Topics - Scegli Il Topic # JCU Showcases Italian Female Film Directors November 4, 2014 SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/jcu-showcases-italian-female-film-directors](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/jcu-showcases-italian-female-film-directors) ![](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/1397671569729.jpg) SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/jcu-showcases-italian-female-film-directors](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-abroad/jcu-showcases-italian-female-film-directors) ![John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/JCUCrestWhiteonBlue-1.jpg) Written By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) Topic [Academics](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/academics) Italy has a rich culture of film and is known as the home of neo-realism, which made famous directors like Roberto Rossellini and Vittorio De Sica - whose works you will surely hear about should you decide to [study in Italy](http://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/study-abroad-rome-italy/). Italy is also home to the famous Spaghetti Western, a series of Western genre films produced in Italy by Italian directors. *The Good the Bad and the Ugly* (1966) directed by Sergio Leone, is a particularly well known Spaghetti Western, often regarded as one of the best films of all time. In the history of film around the world, women were not often showcased for their expertise behind the camera until the 1970s or 80s. In Italy however, many women were recognized early on for their directorial skills, beginning with trailblazers like Elvira Notari. ## Women in Italian Cinema: Past and Present Elvira Notari is widely considered the earliest prominent female director in Italian cinema. She worked throughout the 1920s via her own production company called Dora Film, creating realist films with a focus on the female perspective. Other early Italian female directors include Liliana Cavani and Lina Wertmüller, whose film *Seven Beauties* (1975) earned four Academy Award nominations. Themes in early female directors’ films include Italian social issues, women’s issues and political conflicts. If you have a passion for film, attending an [American university in Rome](http://www.johncabot.edu/) can be an excellent way to immerse yourself in these local directorial legends, and perhaps even inspire your own creative work. Female directors have made a significant impact on film in Italy, and continue to produce work that influences and inspires younger generations of artists. Long-time actresses like Valeria Golino and Asia Argento have successfully transitioned into roles in the director’s chair, winning numerous Italian film awards. Up and coming female director Alice Rohrwacher has also received critical acclaim at the Cannes International film festival for her film *Heavenly Body* (2011), and her second film *The Wonders* (2014) won the Cannes Grand Prix. ## Women in the Director’s Chair at JCU At John Cabot University, we never miss an opportunity to showcase Italian arts and culture to students who [study abroad in Italy](http://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/study-abroad-rome-italy/). With this mission in mind, the Departments of Communications and Modern Languages and Literature, in collaboration with Istituto Luce/Cinecittà presents the “[Women in the Director’s Chair](http://www.johncabot.edu/about_jcu/news_and_events/events/events-fall-2014/le-meraviglie.aspx)” film series. This ongoing series showcases the work of Italian female directors, revealing their important position in the history and development of Italy’s famous film culture. Don’t miss the next screenings: on November 10th, director Alice Rohrwacher will be at John Cabot’s Guarini Campus for a screening of her 2014 film *Le Meraviglie/The Wonders*  and on November 17th director Valeria Golino will present her film *Miele/Honey.* **Which female film directors inspire you most?** [Previous Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/academics/experiencing-public-relations-outside-of-the-classroom?hsLang=en) [View all posts](https://blog.johncabot.edu) [Next Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/academics/student-spotlight-raven-swayne-adjusting-to-student-life-in-rome?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe Here! ### Recommended Reading [Academics](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/academics?hsLang=en) ##### [From ENLUS to John Cabot University: Paola’s Journey to Academic Success](https://blog.johncabot.edu/enlus-english-program-rome?hsLang=en) By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) / March 20, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/enlus-english-program-rome?hsLang=en) [Academics](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/academics?hsLang=en) ##### [Study International Affairs in Rome: Learning Diplomacy at John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-international-affairs-rome?hsLang=en) By [Gemma Granato](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/gemma-granato) / March 13, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/study-international-affairs-rome?hsLang=en) [Academics](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/academics?hsLang=en) ##### [What Degrees Are Offered at John Cabot University?](https://blog.johncabot.edu/degrees-at-jcu?hsLang=en) By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) / January 9, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/degrees-at-jcu?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe and stay up to date ### Subscribe and stay up to date - [Academics](https://www.johncabot.edu/academics/default.aspx) - [Admissions](https://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/default.aspx) - [Student Life](https://www.johncabot.edu/student-life/default.aspx) - [About JCU](https://www.johncabot.edu/about-jcu/default.aspx) - [Studenti Italiani](https://www.johncabot.edu/universita-americana/default.aspx) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JohnCabotRome) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/school/john-cabot-university/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/johncabotuniversity) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/phone.svg) [+39066819121](tel:+39066819121) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/email.svg) [admissions@johncabot.edu](mailto:admissions@johncabot.edu) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/address.svg) Via della Lungara 233 00165 Rome, Italy [©](https://a.cms.omniupdate.com/11/?skin=oucampus&account=john-cabot&site=www&action=de&path=/default.pcf) 2025 John Cabot University ### Request Info »