[16] According to their press kit, the Alliance believes in "foster[ing] a community of professionals to advance the art, craft and visibility of women directors in the world of film, television and new media" and promotes the idea that it is "vital that stories are told from all perspectives".

[17] Eleonore Dailly, co-chair of the AWD, in an interview with Elle magazine, described the group's goals as, "debunk[ing] this myth that there aren't enough female directors.

"[19] Speaking as an AWD board member, director Jacqui Barcos told The Huffington Post on the lack of women-directed films at Cannes, "complex dramas [...] tend to be difficult to finance in the U.S.

"[20] Similarly, Barcos told Variety that it was important to demonstrate that "a woman director can deliver a commercially successful film that is outside the romantic comedy ghetto".

[2] Currently, AWD membership is over 250,[21] including Eleonore Dailly,[18] Judy Chaikin,[22] director-producer Hilari Scarl,[3] Alexis Krasilovsky, Jen McGowan, Debra Granik,[23] Mimi Leder, Betty Thomas, Bethany Rooney, and Lesli Linka Glatter.