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John Ford
(February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973) - Was an American film director and producer. He is regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers during the Golden Age of Hollywood. In a career of more than 50 years, he directed over 130 films between 1917 and 1970 and received six Academy Awards, including a record four wins for Best Director. Ford specializes in Westerns, American films set in the "Wild West,' such as 'My Darling Clementine' and 'Fort Apache.' -
Alfred Hitchcock
(13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) - Was an English film director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 feature films. He won six Academy Awards, though never for Best Director. Hitchcock is known as the "Master of Suspense" and specializes in thriller/horror, most well known for 'Psycho' and 'M for Murder.' -
Spencer Williams Jr.
(July 14, 1893 – December 13, 1969) - Was an American actor and filmmaker. Williams produced and directed 'The Blood of Jesus,' which was largely successful. This was also the first "race film" (films produced for Black audiences, featuring Black casts) to be added to the U.S. National Film Registry. His movies were mostly only known by Black Americans, as due to the time period they were created in, they were not given much credit by white Americans. -
Francis Ford Coppola
(born April 7, 1939) - Is an American filmmaker. He is considered one of the leading figures of the New Hollywood and one of the greatest directors of all time. Coppola is the recipient of five Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and two Palmes d'Or. Coppola specializes in "epic" films, ambitious movies focusing on heroic characters. Known for 'The Godfather,' 'Apocalypse Now,' and 'The Outsiders.' -
Martin Scorsese
(born November 17, 1942) - Is an American filmmaker who has been creating for over 50 years. He emerged as one of the major figures of the New Hollywood era. He has received many awards, including 20 Academy Awards, 23 BAFTAs, and 11 Golden Globes. Four of his films have been inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant." Scorsese has been called the "Man for All Genres,' known for 'Taxi Driver' and 'Goodfellas.' -
Steven Spielberg
(born December 18, 1946) - Is an American filmmaker. He is a major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, widely regarded as one of the greatest film directors of all time and is the highest-grossing film director of all time. He has won 35 Academy Awards, 22 BAFTA Awards, and 16 Golden Globes. Spielberg specializes in sci-fi and adventure, known for 'E.T.,' 'Indiana Jones,' 'Jurassic Park,' and 'Schindler's List.' -
Tobe Hooper
(January 25, 1943 – August 26, 2017) - Was an American filmmaker, best known for his work in the horror genre. The British Film Institute cited Hooper as one of the most influential horror filmmakers of all time. Some of his more famous works include 'Texas Chain Saw Massacre,' 'Poltergeist,' and 'Invaders from Mars.' -
James Cameron
(born August 16, 1954) - Is a Canadian filmmaker. He is a major figure in the post-New Hollywood era. Cameron first gained recognition for writing and directing 'The Terminator,' and found further success with 'Aliens.' 'Titanic,' and 'Avatar.' He has won various awards and three of his films have been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Cameron specializes in sci-fi, developing new film technologies to achieve 'out of this world' experiences. -
Kathryn Bigelow
(born November 27, 1951) - Is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. She has received numerous awards including two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award, becoming the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director. She rose to prominence after directing 'Near Dark,' 'Point Break,' and 'The Hurt Locker.' -
"Spike" Lee
(born March 20, 1957) - An American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and author. His work discusses race, issues in the black community, the role of media, urban crime and poverty, and other political issues. Lee has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmys, a BAFTA, and two Peabody's. Lee's movies have been the "breakthrough" for many actors such as Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. Famous works include 'Malcolm X' and 'Do the Right Thing.' -
Quentin Tarantino
(born March 27, 1963) - Is an American filmmaker, actor, and author. His films are characterized by graphic violence and references to pop culture. He has been named by some as the most influential director of his generation and has received numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. His second film, the crime comedy-drama 'Pulp Fiction,' was a major success and won numerous awards. Tarantino also wrote and directed 'Kill Bill.' -
Judd Apatow
(born December 6, 1967) - Is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and comedian known for his work in comedy films. He produced and directed movies such as 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin' and 'Bridesmaids.' Apatow has won three Primetime Emmy's. -
Alex Gibney
(born October 23, 1953) - Is an American documentary film director and producer. In 2010, Esquire magazine said Gibney "is becoming the most important documentarian of our time." He directed documentaries such as 'Taxi to the Dark Side' and 'Citizen K.' -
Jordan Peele
(born February 21, 1979) - Is an American actor, comedian and filmmaker. He is known for his film and television work in the comedy and horror genres. He has received various awards, including an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. Peele is most well known for his movies 'Get Out', 'Candyman,' and 'Us.'