First feature films by director
This is a list of film directorial debuts in chronological order. The films and dates referred to are a director's first commercial cinematic release . Many filmmakers have directed works which were not commercially released, for example early works by Orson Welles such as his filming of his stage production of Twelfth Night in 1933 or his experimental short film The Hearts of Age in 1934. Often these early works were not intended for commercial release either by intent, such as film school projects or inability to find distribution.
Subsequently, many directors learned their trade in the medium of television as it became popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Notable directors who did their first directorial work in this medium include Robert Altman , Sidney Lumet , and Alfonso Cuarón . As commercial television advertising became more cinematic in the 1960s and 1970s, many directors early work was in this medium, including directors such as Alan Parker and Ridley Scott . With the success of MTV and the popularity of music videos from the early 1980s, this gave another avenue for directors to hone their skills. Notable directors whose early work was in music videos include David Fincher , Jonathan Glazer , Michel Gondry , and Spike Jonze .
The following symbols indicate where a director has worked in another medium prior to directing commercially.
♦ Indicates where a director has created other earlier works for television
# Indicates when a director's earlier work is uncredited
† Indicates when a director's earlier work has not been released in cinemas, for example film school productions, short films or music videos.
Refer to individual entries for further detail.
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^ Kevin Ma (June 1, 2014). "Bona announces Q1 2014 results" . Film Business Asia . Retrieved June 1, 2014 .
^ Sneider, Jeff (9 September 2018). "Hotel Mumbai Review: A Harrowing Recreation of 2008 Terror Attacks" . Collider . Retrieved 13 May 2022 .
^ Lang, Brent (2023-02-06). "Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk's Directorial Debut Hell of a Summer Drops First Look, Altitude Film Sales Boards Horror-Comedy (Exclusive)" . Variety . Archived from the original on 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-07 .
^ "I bambini di Gaza: ecco il trailer del film del regista italo-americano Loris Lai" [The children of Gaza: here is the trailer of the film by Italian-American director Loris Lai]. The Hollywood Reporter Roma (in Italian). 9 March 2024. Archived from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024 .
^ Kroll, Justin (October 28, 2022). " 'Venom 3': Kelly Marcel Set to Direct Next Installment Starring Tom Hardy" . Deadline . Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
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^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (30 May 2024). "Goat : Sony Pictures Animation Sets Release Tied To 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend From Director Tyree Dillihay; Stephen Curry & Erick Peyton's Unanimous Media" . Deadline . Retrieved 13 September 2024 .
^ Gajewski, Ryan (30 May 2024). "Sony Sets Animated Sports Comedy GOAT From Stephen Curry for 2026 Release" . The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 13 September 2024 .
^ "Warner Animation Group Dr. Seuss Enterprises Expand World Dr. Seuss Feature Films" (Press release). Warner Bros. 1 October 2020. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2024 .
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^ "Michael Cera Interview: Scott Pilgrim, Barbie, The Adults" . Retrieved 2023-08-16 .
^ Zahed, Ramin (June 20, 2019). "Emily Dean Making Feature Directorial Debut with Sony's 'Tao' " . Animation Magazine . Retrieved October 14, 2020 .
^ "Tara Nicole Whitaker Making Feature Directorial Debut with Animated Pic "Pierre the Pigeon-Hawk" " . August 17, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2023 .
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^ Rubin, Rebecca (February 23, 2024). "Scarlett Johansson's Directorial Debut 'Eleanor the Great' Sets Cast: June Squibb, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety . Retrieved February 23, 2024 .
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^ Rosario, Alexandra Del (January 28, 2021). " 'The Witch Boy': Netflix To Release Animated Musical From Oscar-Nominated Director Minkyu Lee" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2022 .
^ Kroll, Justin (November 16, 2022). "Kristen Stewart To Direct Scott Free's Adaptation Of 'The Chronology Of Water' Starring Imogen Poots" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved November 16, 2022 .
^ Lang, Brent (December 9, 2022). "Taylor Swift Making Feature Directing Debut for Searchlight Pictures" . Variety . Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022 .