Most Top -10 lists are subjective in nature – choices are dependent on the writer’s environment and biases. Film Directors from all over the world have been included in this list, but there may be some who are well-known in their country, but have not achieved International fame.

1. Federico Fellini

One of the most revered and influential film directors of our century, Fellini combined dreams and desires and fantasy in his films, and gave us such unforgettable films as La Dolce Vita among others. A gifted caricaturist, often his drawings and films drew inspiration from each other.

2. Satyajit Ray

Regarded by many as India’s greatest film director, Satyajit Ray was a prodigiously talented man. He was a writer of children’s stories, a painter, a graphic designer and film critic. His first film Pather Panchali won him various International awards and acclaim. He directed, scripted, casted, cinematographed and did the publicity for all his films himself.

3. Steven Spielberg

Listed by many as the most influential and powerful figure in the motion picture industry, Spielberg’s films have covered variable themes and genres. Ranging from Sci-fi and adventure films in the initial stages, he has gone on to cover subjects such as slavery, Holocaust and war and terrorism. One of the most successful film makers of all times, his films have broken box-office records frequently.

4. Alfred Hitchcock

There is probably no other film director who has mastered the field of suspense and psychological thrillers like Alfred Hitchcock. In a career spanning 60 years, he has directed films like Psycho, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much. He was a pioneer in the use of various camera sequences, and there were many who learnt a lot from his style of direction.

5. Cecil B DeMille

In the genre of vast canvases and flamboyance, there were few who could match Cecil B.DeMille’s vision. Spectacular set pieces were his trademark and his filming of the parting of the Red Sea in “the Ten Commandments” was one such example. He had his finger on the pulse of the audience and he gave them such great films such as the Greatest Show on Earth, Samson and Delilah, among others.