Alice Guy Blache is considered one of the first filmmakers to make a narrative fiction film and the first woman to direct a film. It is said that from 1896 to 1906, she was the only female filmmaker in the world.
Her first movie was La Fee aux Choux (The Fairy of the Cabbages) which has a 60 second run time and was released in 1896. She really wanted to incorporate fictional story-telling elements into movies.
There is a documentary, Be Natural, that is narrated by Jodie Foster that is out about her life. Pamela B. Green is developing a biopic about Alice that I hope reaches audiences soon!
The Inclusive ScreenWriter 