Los Angeles, Jan 26 (NationPress) Hollywood actress Natalie Portman is voicing her concerns about the Academy Awards for failing to recognize female directors in the nominations for 2026.

During her appearance at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah to highlight her latest film, The Gallerist, she expressed her disappointment regarding the absence of women in the Best Director category.

“Many of the most remarkable films I experienced this year were crafted by women,” stated Portman, 44, in an interview with Variety, as reported by people.com.

She emphasized, “You can see the obstacles at every level, as numerous talents went unrecognized during awards season.”

“Films like Sorry Baby, Left-Handed Girl, Hedda, and The Testament of Ann Lee are extraordinary works that have captured the hearts of audiences but are not receiving the honors they merit,” she elaborated.

This year, Chloé Zhao, director of Hamnet, is the sole female nominee for Best Director, competing against Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme, Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another, Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value, and Ryan Coogler for Sinners.

Among the ten films nominated for Best Picture, Hamnet stands out as the only one helmed by a woman.

Portman also discussed the hurdles faced in getting films produced today.

“Even after overcoming the challenges of securing financing, which is more difficult, and gaining entry into festivals, which is also harder. Every step of the journey is more challenging, and then once your film is out, it often fails to garner the attention it deserves,” she remarked.

“We still have a significant amount of work ahead of us,” she noted.

“However, there’s joy in collaborating with one another,” she added with a laugh, “and it’s a profoundly special experience to be part of a female community on set.”

In The Gallerist, Portman collaborated with female director Cathy Yan. This dark comedy thriller features stars like Jenna Ortega, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sterling K. Brown, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, revolving around a desperate gallery owner (Portman) who concocts a scheme to sell a deceased individual as art at Art Basel in Miami.

Another of Portman’s projects, the futuristic children's film Arco, has received a 2026 Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature following its debut at the Cannes Film Festival last year. Portman voices the mother of a character named Iris, who forms a friendship with the titular Arco.

Portman recently shared that the film, which explores the bond between Iris and Arco following a time-travel mishap, ignited “fascinating discussions” with her two children, son Aleph and daughter Amalia.

“It was remarkable to watch it with them,” she stated.

Portman added that the film “provoked many intriguing conversations, from why the parents appear as holograms instead of being present, to the climate challenges the children encounter, and even the potential solutions they devise, such as 'Is it truly feasible to live on platforms above the earth to allow the planet to recuperate?' These discussions are incredible opportunities I had with my kids because of the film.”