Agnès Varda
Agnès Varda (1928–2019) was a French film director, photographer, and artist, widely regarded as a pioneering figure of the French New Wave and one of the most important voices in world cinema. Born in Belgium and based in France, she began her career as a photographer before directing her debut film, La Pointe Courte, often considered a precursor to the New Wave movement. Varda’s work is known for its inventive blending of documentary and fiction, feminist perspective, and curiosity about everyday life. Her acclaimed films include Cléo from 5 to 7 and Vagabond. In later years, she continued to innovate with documentary works such as The Gleaners and I. She received an honorary Oscar in 2017.