The American Film Institute revealed its list of eight women selected for this year’s Directing Workshop for Women on Wednesday. The participants will take part in a year-long, tuition-free film production course, culminating with each of them directing a short film that will premiere at a special showcase in Los Angeles in 2021.

The new class of DWW participants are: Michelle Krusiec, April Maxey, Mary Molina, April Moreau, Kelly Pike, Jessica Shields, Lucretia Stinnette and Em Weinstein. Five of the participants are women of color. Read their bios here.

Also Read: Oscars 2020: Women Scored Record 31% of Nominations Overall Despite Female Director Snub

“AFI has a long history of advocating for directors from underrepresented communities and we continue that tradition with this new class of filmmakers,” said Susan Ruskin, Dean of the AFI Conservatory and EVP of the American Film Institute. “We are thrilled to welcome these eight artists into the AFI family and can’t wait to see their unique stories on the screen.”

Graduates of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women have gone on to direct episodes of Emmy-winning TV shows, including Lesli Linka Glatter for “Homeland,” Jennifer Getzinger for “Mad Men,” and Tricia Brock for “Orange Is the New Black.” Directors like Ava DuVernay, Lena Waithe, and Patty Jenkins are among those who have served as faculty and mentors in the program since its founding in 1974.

Every Female Director Nominated for an Oscar, From Lina Wertmuller to Greta Gerwig (Photos)

The Academy has only nominated five women in the Best Director category in its storied history. Here they are.
Lina Wertmuller, "Seven Beauties" (1976) • The first woman ever nominated in the category was this Italian director for a drama about an Italian solider who deserted the army during WWII and is sent a German prison camp. She lost to John G. Avildsen for "Rocky."
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Jane Campion, "The Piano" (1993) • The Australian director won an Oscar for her original screenplay for the period drama but lost the directing prize to Steven Spielberg for "Schindler's List."
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Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation" (2003) • The daughter of Oscar-winning "The Godfather" director Francis Ford Coppola picked up her first nomination for the quiet Japan-set character study, but lost to Peter Jackson for "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King."
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Kathryn Bigelow, "The Hurt Locker" (2009) • Bigelow not only scored a nomination, but managed to defeat her ex-husband James Cameron, whose "Avatar" scored Best Picture.
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Greta Gerwig, "Lady Bird" (2017) • The indie actress wrote and directed this feature, her first as solo director, based on her upbringing in Pasadena, Calif. But Guillermo del Toro took the prize for "The Shape of Water."
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