Natalie Portman has hit out at the Oscars for snubbing female directors.

The Gallerist star has called out a lack of representation because she believes women are "not getting the accolades they deserve", with Chloe Zhao the only woman on the Best Director Academy Awards shortlist for Hamnet, and that movie being the only one of 10 shortlisted for Best Picture not to be directed by a man.

Natalie told Variety: "So many of the best films I saw this year were made by women.

"You just see the barriers at every level because so many were not recognised 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, but are not getting the accolades that they deserve."

Natalie believes there is "a lot of work to do" when it comes to getting movies made today.

She said: "Even when you pass the barriers of getting your financing, which is harder, getting into festivals, which is harder. Every step of the road is harder, and then you're out and it's great, and then it also doesn't get the attention.

"We have a lot of work to do still.

"But joyfully, with a lot of joy, working with each other, and it's a very special process to be in community with women on set."

The 44-year-old actress' latest movie, The Gallerist, is directed by Cathy Yan, who she hailed as a "brilliant leader".

She said: "She has a specificity of vision. All the work ahead of time and her precise leadership leads to the possibility of spontaneity. Balancing this very specific tone that is satirical but also true emotion in it, which is almost impossible to create, she knew how to do it and guide us to it."

And Natalie also heaped praise on her co-star Jenna Ortega, who she believes has a "rare" talent.

She gushed: "She's such a f****** great actress and so knowledgeable about film.

"She's so on and in it. It is rare. I think you're very focused and in tune with everything. You're not there to mess around."