India, Jan. 26 -- Hollywood star Natalie Portman is calling out the Academy Awards for snubbing female directors in the 2026 nominations.

While stepping out at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah to promote her new film The Gallerist, the actress shared her frustrations about the lack of female representation in the Best Director category.

"So many of the best films I saw this year were made by women," Portman, 44, said while speaking with Variety, reports people.com.

She added: "You just see the barriers at every level because so many were not recognized at awards time."

"Between Sorry Baby and Left-Handed Girl and Hedda and The Testament of Ann Lee... Extraordinary films this year that I think a lot of people are enjoying and loving,...