Jennifer Lawrence is drawing attention to the powerful role women directors have played in shaping her career, saying their influence not only guided her early years in acting but also inspired her own ambitions behind the camera.
The Oscar-winning actress, best known for films like The Hunger Games and Silver Linings Playbook, spoke candidly about her experiences while appearing on a podcast hosted by Amy Poehler. She recalled that her very first film was directed by a woman, an experience she described as deeply formative.
Over the years, Jennifer Lawrence has worked with several prominent women filmmakers, including Lori Petty (The Poker House), Debra Granik (Winter’s Bone), Jodie Foster (The Beaver), and Susanne Bier (Serena). Her collaboration with Debra Granik proved especially significant, earning her first Academy Award nomination and setting the tone for her future career.
Lawrence explained that working with female directors throughout her teenage years made filmmaking feel accessible. Seeing women in leadership roles on set helped her realize that directing was not out of reach. She said the exposure planted the idea early on that she, too, could one day step into that role.
As her career progressed, Lawrence said she became more intentional about being involved in the creative process. She often asks directors to include her beyond acting, especially during post-production, and credits many of them for being open and collaborative. According to her, this inclusive environment further strengthened her interest in storytelling from behind the camera.
She also made a pointed but playful remark about the industry’s long-standing male dominance, jokingly critiquing the way Hollywood often centers white male directors, while still acknowledging the broader systemic imbalance.
Looking ahead, Lawrence revealed that she plans to write and direct a comedy film in which she will also star. The project marks an important step toward creative control and reflects her desire to contribute more diverse voices and perspectives to Hollywood filmmaking.
