Kathryn Bigelow

2013 was a fantastic female film year, as we were treated to a whole host of movies and performances.

As well as great movies and actresses, we also had a whole host of female filmmakers that showed off their fine skills behind the camera.

We take a look at some of the female directors who really did stand out last year.

- Kathryn Bigelow

It is always exciting when a Kathryn Bigelow film hits the big screen, as you know that you are in for a treat.

She returned to the war film with Zero Dark Thirty, as she once again tackled the theme of 'war on terror'.

Her prior movie in this genre, The Hurt Locker, was a triumph and saw her become the first female filmmaker to win the Best Director Oscar - this was one of the 2013 films that I was really looking forward to.

The film followed the decade long hunt for Osama Bin Laden, and saw Jessica Chastain lead an all-star cast.

Bigelow has a no nonsense style of directing that keeps the film moving at a great pace - it really is a gripping watch from start to finish.

Despite Zero Dark Thirty being a triumph, Bigelow was scandalously overlooked in the Best Director category at the Oscars.

- Jennifer Steinman

Jennifer Steinman is another director on form last year as she delivered the magnificent Desert Runners. This really is one of the best documentaries of the year, and if you haven't seen it, you really should check it out.

This was just the second feature film for Steinman, as she followed up documentary Motherland.

Desert Runners focuses on a gruelling series of four 150-mile footraces that are held in various extreme climates -- the Atacama Desert, the Gobi, the Sahara, and Antarctica.

The movie honed in on four competitors in the race as we learn why they are taking part, what drives them and their experiences once the competition gets underway.

From start to finish, Desert Runners is a movie about the human spirit, endurance and the will to achieve what you set out to, as these four push themselves to their very limit.

It is a breathless watch as Steinman films in a way where you really capture and feel every painful step and difficult breath.

It was a vintage year for the documentary genre last year, but Desert Runners really was one of the movies that stood out.

- Haifaa Al-Mansour

Haifaa Al-Mansour was one of the most talked about female directors of 2013, as she made her debut with Wadjda.

Wadjda was the first full-length film to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and the only film made by a female director.

Al-Mansour is single handedly changing the face of female filmmaking in her native Saudi Arabia... and she made a terrific film to boot.

The movie follows a young Saudi girl who is trying to find a way to the money she needs to by a bicycle.

Al-Mansour really does capture Saudi life in this movie as she brings this country to life on the big screen.

It is a simple and straightforward story, and yet there is a lot of charm and power in what Al-Mansour delivered.

- Jennifer Lee

Jennifer Lee is another lady that made a bit of movie history in 2013... She became the first woman to ever direct a Disney movie.

Frozen was the animation triumph of the year as Lee teamed up with Chris Buck to adapt The Snow Queen. Lee also penned the screenplay for this fabulous movie.

Frozen followed the fearless Anna, who goes on a quest to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers has resulted in an endless winter.

From start to finish, Frozen is a glorious piece of animation filmmaking. It mixes music, humour, great story telling with wonderful characters - not to mention the film looks incredibly beautiful.

It is great to see women finally making their way into the director's chair at Disney, and Lee is really leading the charge.

- Kimberly Pierce

Kimberly Pierce returned to the director's chair for her interpretation of Carrie.

Carrie was a remake if the 1976 classic, which was based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King.

Carrie was just the third feature film by Pierce and followed on from Boys Don't Cry and Stop-Loss.

The movie followed Carrie White, a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother, who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom.

Pierce has moved from genre to genre during her directing career, and it was great to see her tackle the horror genre for the first time.

Other female filmmakers of 2013 included Sophia Coppola, Lake Bell, and Francesca Gregorini.

by Helen Earnshaw for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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