On this course we will watch the films of pioneering women directors and discuss how their work stands to enrich the established conventions of cinema as well as our approaches to the world beyond the screen.
The selection of films reflects both canonical classics from film history and innovative new voices from around the globe. For those who have taken the course before, the selection of films will be different every time it...
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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On this course we will watch and discuss films directed by women from around the world. A recent study showed how only 9 of 111 top grossing films in 2025 were made by women. As women’s cinema remains marginalised, this course allows you to engage with the ways that women behind the lens have beaten the odds to produce iconoclastic depictions of experiences which are otherwise erased, obscured or ignored.
The selection of films is curated to reflect the diversity of women-directed films from around the world - and our discussion of each film will explore a wide variety of genres, cinematic techniques and themes. Equally, across the course as a whole we will consider the question of how women’s practices in visual mediums has its own distinct history and set of concerns - and how these may have a profound impact on audiences in patriarchal cultures and contexts.
The films will include important women directors from around the globe, such as:
- Claire Dennis - Chole Zhao - Andrea Arnold - Lucretia Martell - Haifaa Al-Mansour - Rungano Nyoni - Payal Kapadia - Jeong Jae-eun - Ana Lily Amirpour - Agnes Varda - Lucia Puenzo - Lucile Hadzihalilović
Each week there will be some optional reading, particularly feminist film theory, to expand our understanding of the filmmakers work and help shape our analysis and discussion of the film itself.
Watching the films and being in conversation together, students will expand their cinematic horizons and gain a deeper understanding of the rich histories and ongoing work of women in film - and the importance of their visionary approaches.
What will we cover?
Each week we will watch one film and then analyse and discuss it alongside the biographical detail of the director and in the context of a longer legacy of filmmaking. Each film will also open up discussion on broader contexts and issues, such as feminine sexuality, social identity, environmental consciousness, colonial history, cultural memory.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Subject a film to detailed critical analysis - Demonstrate familiarity with a range of women-directed films. - Have some understanding of feminist film theory and a longer legacy of women’s film history. - Demonstrate familiarity with key technical terms necessary for critical film analysis - Have a broad awareness of important cultural contexts which women directed films speak to. - Feel confident in discussing films in a group setting.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to aspects of the film subject area.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
An introduction by the tutor, the screening of entire films, and large group discussions after the films have been shown. There may also be some suggested reading of short extracts from feminist film theory.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Bring a notepad and pen or digital note-taking device; the tutor will screen extracts from films.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please look at other Cultural Studies courses on our website: https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/culture
Dr. Katie Goss is an independent scholar, writer and artist whose research covers contemporary literature, culture and thought, queer-feminist theory and philosophy, psychoanalysis, trans* studies, posthumanism, and the environmental and medical humanities. They have taught for a number of years in the School of English and Drama at Queen Mary, University of London and their work has been published or is forthcoming in journals including Transgender Studies Quarterly and Film-Philosophy and edited collections like The Edinburgh Companion to Queer Reading and The Queer Feminist Decolonial Ecologies Dossier (LADA 2020). They are currently working on the publication of their PhD research which explores the ‘plasticity’ or bio-material transformability of contemporary embodiment through womxn’s writing and film.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/women-behind-the-lens3071464Women behind the Lenshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/art-history-cinema-HF347-1024.jpg219219GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies22851177154815801228511771580<p>On this course we will watch the films of pioneering women directors and discuss how their work stands to enrich the established conventions of cinema as well as our approaches to the world beyond the screen. </p><p>The selection of films reflects both canonical classics from film history and innovative new voices from around the globe. For those who have taken the course before, the selection of films will be different every time it runs - meaning that students can re-enrol and continue to expand their cinematic horizons. <br> </p>003071401Women behind the Lens219219https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/art-history-cinema-HF347-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-15T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHF437219219Women behind the Lens175142219Katie Gosswomen-behind-the-lens/hf437-2627<p>On this course we will watch the films of pioneering women directors and discuss how their work stands to enrich the established conventions of cinema as well as our approaches to the world beyond the screen. </p><p>The selection of films reflects both canonical classics from film history and innovative new voices from around the globe. For those who have taken the course before, the selection of films will be different every time it runs - meaning that students can re-enrol and continue to expand their cinematic horizons. <br> </p>0000-Available|2027-01-15 00:00:00<p>On this course we will watch and discuss films directed by women from around the world. A recent study showed how only 9 of 111 top grossing films in 2025 were made by women. As women’s cinema remains marginalised, this course allows you to engage with the ways that women behind the lens have beaten the odds to produce iconoclastic depictions of experiences which are otherwise erased, obscured or ignored. </p><p>The selection of films is curated to reflect the diversity of women-directed films from around the world - and our discussion of each film will explore a wide variety of genres, cinematic techniques and themes. Equally, across the course as a whole we will consider the question of how women’s practices in visual mediums has its own distinct history and set of concerns - and how these may have a profound impact on audiences in patriarchal cultures and contexts. </p><p>The films will include important women directors from around the globe, such as: </p><p>- Claire Dennis<br>- Chole Zhao <br>- Andrea Arnold <br>- Lucretia Martell<br>- Haifaa Al-Mansour<br>- Rungano Nyoni <br>- Payal Kapadia <br>- Jeong Jae-eun<br>- Ana Lily Amirpour<br>- Agnes Varda <br>- Lucia Puenzo<br>- Lucile Hadzihalilović </p><p>Each week there will be some optional reading, particularly feminist film theory, to expand our understanding of the filmmakers work and help shape our analysis and discussion of the film itself. <br> <br>Watching the films and being in conversation together, students will expand their cinematic horizons and gain a deeper understanding of the rich histories and ongoing work of women in film - and the importance of their visionary approaches. <br> </p><p>On this course we will watch the films of pioneering women directors and discuss how their work stands to enrich the established conventions of cinema as well as our approaches to the world beyond the screen. </p><p>The selection of films reflects both canonical classics from film history and innovative new voices from around the globe. For those who have taken the course before, the selection of films will be different every time it runs - meaning that students can re-enrol and continue to expand their cinematic horizons. <br> </p><p>Each week we will watch one film and then analyse and discuss it alongside the biographical detail of the director and in the context of a longer legacy of filmmaking. Each film will also open up discussion on broader contexts and issues, such as feminine sexuality, social identity, environmental consciousness, colonial history, cultural memory. </p><p>- Subject a film to detailed critical analysis<br>- Demonstrate familiarity with a range of women-directed films.<br>- Have some understanding of feminist film theory and a longer legacy of women’s film history. <br>- Demonstrate familiarity with key technical terms necessary for critical film analysis<br>- Have a broad awareness of important cultural contexts which women directed films speak to. <br>- Feel confident in discussing films in a group setting.<br> </p><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to aspects of the film subject area.<br> </p><p>An introduction by the tutor, the screening of entire films, and large group discussions after the films have been shown. There may also be some suggested reading of short extracts from feminist film theory. </p><p>Bring a notepad and pen or digital note-taking device; the tutor will screen extracts from films.</p><p>Please look at other Cultural Studies courses on our website: https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/culture</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalvirtual175219142HF437NONEFri15/01/27 - 12/02/2714:00 - 17:0014:0017:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetKatie GossBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-01-15T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027Culture, history & humanities219219Women behind the Lenswomen-behind-the-lens/hf437-2627<p>On this course we will watch the films of pioneering women directors and discuss how their work stands to enrich the established conventions of cinema as well as our approaches to the world beyond the screen. </p><p>The selection of films reflects both canonical classics from film history and innovative new voices from around the globe. For those who have taken the course before, the selection of films will be different every time it runs - meaning that students can re-enrol and continue to expand their cinematic horizons. <br> </p>0000-Available|2027-01-15 00:00:00<p>On this course we will watch and discuss films directed by women from around the world. A recent study showed how only 9 of 111 top grossing films in 2025 were made by women. As women’s cinema remains marginalised, this course allows you to engage with the ways that women behind the lens have beaten the odds to produce iconoclastic depictions of experiences which are otherwise erased, obscured or ignored. </p><p>The selection of films is curated to reflect the diversity of women-directed films from around the world - and our discussion of each film will explore a wide variety of genres, cinematic techniques and themes. Equally, across the course as a whole we will consider the question of how women’s practices in visual mediums has its own distinct history and set of concerns - and how these may have a profound impact on audiences in patriarchal cultures and contexts. </p><p>The films will include important women directors from around the globe, such as: </p><p>- Claire Dennis<br>- Chole Zhao <br>- Andrea Arnold <br>- Lucretia Martell<br>- Haifaa Al-Mansour<br>- Rungano Nyoni <br>- Payal Kapadia <br>- Jeong Jae-eun<br>- Ana Lily Amirpour<br>- Agnes Varda <br>- Lucia Puenzo<br>- Lucile Hadzihalilović </p><p>Each week there will be some optional reading, particularly feminist film theory, to expand our understanding of the filmmakers work and help shape our analysis and discussion of the film itself. <br> <br>Watching the films and being in conversation together, students will expand their cinematic horizons and gain a deeper understanding of the rich histories and ongoing work of women in film - and the importance of their visionary approaches. <br> </p><p>On this course we will watch the films of pioneering women directors and discuss how their work stands to enrich the established conventions of cinema as well as our approaches to the world beyond the screen. </p><p>The selection of films reflects both canonical classics from film history and innovative new voices from around the globe. For those who have taken the course before, the selection of films will be different every time it runs - meaning that students can re-enrol and continue to expand their cinematic horizons. <br> </p><p>Each week we will watch one film and then analyse and discuss it alongside the biographical detail of the director and in the context of a longer legacy of filmmaking. Each film will also open up discussion on broader contexts and issues, such as feminine sexuality, social identity, environmental consciousness, colonial history, cultural memory. </p><p>- Subject a film to detailed critical analysis<br>- Demonstrate familiarity with a range of women-directed films.<br>- Have some understanding of feminist film theory and a longer legacy of women’s film history. <br>- Demonstrate familiarity with key technical terms necessary for critical film analysis<br>- Have a broad awareness of important cultural contexts which women directed films speak to. <br>- Feel confident in discussing films in a group setting.<br> </p><p>The course is suitable for all levels and you do not require any particular skills - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course will provide an introduction to aspects of the film subject area.<br> </p><p>An introduction by the tutor, the screening of entire films, and large group discussions after the films have been shown. There may also be some suggested reading of short extracts from feminist film theory. </p><p>Bring a notepad and pen or digital note-taking device; the tutor will screen extracts from films.</p><p>Please look at other Cultural Studies courses on our website: https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/culture</p>Film studiesIntroductory & generalconfigurable
15481580Introductory & generalhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/introductory-general1/2/285/1177/1580/15481/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Introductory & general
