This is a list of film directorial debuts in chronological order. The films and dates referred to are a director'sfirst commercial cinematic release. Many filmmakers have directed works which were not commercially released, for example early works byOrson Welles such as his filming of his stage production ofTwelfth Night in 1933 or his experimental short filmThe Hearts of Age in 1934. Often, these early works were not intended for commercial release by intent, such as film school projects or inability to find distribution.
Subsequently, many directors learned their trade in the medium of television as it became popular in the 1940s and 1950s. Notable directors who did their first directorial work in this medium includeRobert Altman,Sidney Lumet, andAlfonso Cuarón. As commercial television advertising became more cinematic in the 1960s and 1970s, many directors early work was in this medium, including directors such asAlan Parker andRidley Scott. With the success ofMTV and the popularity ofmusic videos from the early 1980s, this gave another avenue for directors to hone their skills. Notable directors whose early work was in music videos includeDavid Fincher,Jonathan Glazer,Michel Gondry, andSpike Jonze.
The following symbols indicate where a director has worked in another medium prior to directing commercially.
♦ Indicates where a director has created other earlier works for television
# Indicates when a director's earlier work is uncredited
† Indicates when a director's earlier work has not been released in cinemas, for example film school productions, short films or music videos.
Refer to individual entries for further detail.