TOP LIST: 10 Most Powerful Women In Film & Television

The month of March, known as international women's month in honor of international women's day that falls on the 8th, is sadly coming to an end. To usher out this legendary period that celebrates the amazing female figure, I have compiled this post that highlights the industry's top figures and ranks the most powerful women in film and television globally; executives, reps, producers, showrunners and stars — all who make an impact in the industry.

Dubbed the "Queen of All Media", Oprah Winfrey is ranked the richest African-American of the 20th century, the greatest black philanthropist in American history, and is currently North America's first and only multi-billionaire black person. She was the first black female pioneer of daytime television and paved way for many people of color in the media industry. As little girls we all grew up looking up to her and dreamt of one day becoming versions of Oprah. She currently owns her "OWN" network and continues to be a great influence in the global TV sector.

Shonda Rhimes is a television producer and writer. She is the creator, head writer, executive producer and showrunner of some of the most loved TV shows in America and internationally, including the medical drama series "Grey's Anatomy", it's spin-off "Private Practice", the political thriller series "Scandal", "How To Get Away With Murder" and the new show "The Catch". Rhimes is co-founder of her production company Shondaland. She is one of the most admired TV producers in the world is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Cheryl Boone Isaacs is an American film marketing and public relations executive. She has represented the Public Relations Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), known for its annual Academy Awards (Oscars), on the AMPAS Board of Governors for 21 years. On July 30, 2013 she was elected as the 35th president of AMPAS. Boone Isaacs is the first African American to hold this office, and the third woman after Bette Davis and Fay Kanin.

Debra Lee is an American businesswoman. She is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BET, the parent company of Black Entertainment Television. The mother of two, has sat on the board of directors for a number of companies/organizations, including the National Cable & Telecommunications association the Ad Council, and the National Cable Television Association. Debra Lee was named one of the "100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment" by The Hollywood Reporter due to her many achievements in her 25-plus year career at BET, and we will forever love her even more.

Genevieve Hofmeyer is one of South Africa's most respected and sought after producers. She is the co-founder and Managing Director at Moonlighting Films, the best film production company in Africa. She has worked on numerous great productions locally and internationally; and she is mostly known for her amazing work on South African/international co-productions such as "Avengers: Age Of Ultron", "Invictus", "Safe House", "Mad Max: Fury Road", "Eye in the Sky" and many more. She has taken up roles as Executive Producer, Line Producer, Production Manager, and Supervising Producer; making her very powerful in the industry indeed.

Chioma Ude is the founder and executive director of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and an ardent film lover. She produced the 2008 Africa Movie Academy Awards and the institution of a brainchild of hers called the AMAA Charity Benefit evoked an intense passion in her for the film industry. She enjoys fund-raising for filmmakers and has produced premieres for some of the best films in Nigeria, an art that has set her on the right path for her role as founder of AFRICA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (AFRIFF). The 5 day event features several activities that included workshops, screenings, film premiere, awards night & a fashion show. Chioma is highly respected by many in the African film industry and has a big influence in the Nigerian circles.

Kathryn Bigalow is an American film writer and director. Her films include "Near Dark", "Point Break", "Strange Days", "The Weight of Water", "K-19: The Widowmaker", the war film "The Hurt Locker", action thriller war film "Zero Dark Thirty", and the short film Last Days of Ivory. "The Hurt Locker" won the 2009 Academy Award for Best Picture, BAFTA Award for Best Film ; and was nominated for the 2009 Golden Globe Award for Best Drama. Bigelow became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director, the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing, the BAFTA Award for Best Direction, and the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Director. In April 2010, she was named on the Time 100 list of most influential people of the year and continues to thrive successfully in the industry.

Bonang Matheba is a South African television host, radio personality and business woman. She is most recognized for having presented the popular SABC 1 music show Live Amp, previously known as "Live", and SABC 3's Top Billing. She currently is a presenter on magazine show "Afternoon Express" and is also a radio host presenting the show "The Front Row" on SABC 's radio station Metro FM. Her success in the TV industry at a young age has made her a very admirable and influential figure among the youth. She has broken a number of records such as being the first African personality to be face of global beauty brand, Revlon, as well as getting her very own insert on E! The Queen B has consistently climbed the ladder of success and even after all that she has achieved, we look forward to see do more.

Sara Blecher is a co-founder of CINGA, a South African-based production company that has made a number of award-winning features, documentaries and drama series. An honors graduate of NYU, Blecher has directed some outstanding and noteworthy films including "Bay of Plenty", "Surfing Soweto", "Otelo Burning", "Ayanda", and "Dis Ek, Anna". She recently walked away with a Golden Horn Award for Best Achievement in Directing in a Feature Film at the SAFTAs and has won several festival awards for her films. She is by far the best female director in the continent at the moment.

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In 2009 Helen Kuun left the corporate world and started Indigenous Film Distribution, a company that focuses on South African and African content; helping the continent’s filmmakers to get their movies watched on a variety of platforms, including cinemas, DVD and television. Indigenous Film Production is one of the best distribution companies in Africa and it came at a time when it was clear that there was a growing need for a film distributor that could tap into Africa's growing industry and new potential. Helen is currently one of the most powerful women, not only in the distribution sector, but the industry as a whole.