Not only this, but she has turned her hand to producing too, having worked on over 13 TV series in this capacity.

Jane got her lucky break while at university as a post grad in California by entering a writing competition. She also joined the Disney Writing Fellowship, which led to a number of opportunities... Never underestimate those small chances life throws at you!

Kathryn Bigelow

The Hurt Locker was directed and produced by this San Franciscan lady in 2008. Possibly her most famous and highly regarded work, it involved her fully immersing herself in the war zone in Iraq.

In a film which revolves largely around a male environment and themes (lots of guns and explosions) she manages to do a better job than any man out there- indeed this is heralded as one of the best Iraq war films around.

The Oscar speaks for itself. Her other works include Strange Days (1995), Point Break (1991) and Blue Steel (1989). Not only this- she writes and produces too.

Her production work includes the Hurt Locker (2008) and The Widowmaker (2002), and she has written five films including Blue Steel (1989). For someone that is almost 60, and has just been the first female ever to win an Oscar, age really is no limit!

Penny Marshall 

Penny from the block! A true New Yorker, she was born in the Bronx and grew up there. She began her career as an actress, in a shampoo advert as the plain girl, to be contrasted against the pretty girl.

This didn’t stop her though, as her acting career took off with bigger roles and eventually even a spin off TV show. In 1986 she tried her hand at directing, with Jumpin' Jack Flash.

Her biggest success came with Big (1988), in which she became the first female director to gross over $100 million at box office.

A League of Their Own (1992) brought this same success, making her the first female to gross over $100 million at box office twice.

She also directed four other films since 1990, including Riding in Cars with Boys (2001). Just goes to show, even if you’re branded as an ugly duckling you can still become a swan.

Mimi Leder

New York born Mimi’s earliest works include TV scripts such as Spawn of the Slithis (1978), Hill Street Blues (1981) and Under the Influence in 1986. She soon began directing, and throughout the late 1980’s and early 1990’s she continued to write and produce as well.

Her work includes the highly acclaimed ER, for which she won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series (1995/96).

Her talents extend beyond TV however- she has also directed several films such as The Peacemaker (1997), Deep Impact (1998), Pay It Forward (2000) and Thick as Thieves (2009). Overall, she has won four awards, including two prime time Grammies, as well as been nominated for further ten awards. Go Girl!

Kick-Ass, co-written by Jane Goldman, is released nationwide on the 26th March.

Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, Whip It, is out in the UK on the 7th April.

Gurinder Chadha’ latest comedy, It’s a Wonderful Afterlife, is released on the 21st April.