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Weekly Update for June 30: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“The Little Hours” Films About Women Opening This Week The Little Hours (Opens in NY and LA) Medieval nuns Alessandra (Alison Brie), Fernanda (Aubrey Plaza), and Ginevra (Kate Micucci) lead a...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 30, 2017“Flip the Script” Web Series Turns the Table on Workplace Sexism
Would you say that to a guy? Would you do that in front of a guy? That’s the basic sexism litmus test, and it was definitely a major influence on the Women in Film (WIF) web series “Flip...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 30, 2017Trailer Watch: Andrea Savage Is a Funny Mom in “I’m Sorry”
“Sorry. I forgot moms aren’t supposed to be funny,” Andrea Savage tells her TV husband in a new trailer for “I’m Sorry.” Created by Savage, the TruTV series sees the “Veep” alumna...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 30, 2017Academy Board of Governors Is Now 39% Female
Shortly after inviting a historic 774 new members to join its ranks, the Academy held its annual board of governors election and, per The Hollywood Reporter, women were elected in...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 30, 2017Trailer Watch: Issa Embraces Single Life in Season 2 of “Insecure”
Issa and Molly are back for Season 2 of “Insecure,” and a new trailer makes it seem like the BFFs are closer than ever after overcoming some drama last season. Issa’s breakup with long-term...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 30, 2017Unheard & Unseen: Crowdfunding Picks
Thousands of women’s stories are ignored or simply go untold — a huge problem that is addressed in this round of crowdfunding picks. These stories are diverse, yet they’re united by their...
BY adminJune 30, 2017Trailer Watch: Four Indian Women Challenge Sexual Norms in “Lipstick Under My Burkha”
A trailer has landed for Alankrita Shrivastava’s “Lipstick Under My Burkha,” and the film is not shying away from the controversies that have followed it. Instead, the marketing team for the...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 29, 2017PBS Doc About Civil Rights Activist Dolores Huerta Gets Theatrical Release Date
An important chapter — and figure — in herstory is about to get some much-deserved and long-overdue attention: “Dolores” has a theatrical release date. PBS Distribution has announced...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 29, 2017The Academy Continues to Diversify with 774 New Members
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, best known as the body behind the Academy Awards, has invited 774 new members to join its ranks — topping last year’s record-setting 683...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 29, 2017Trailer Watch: Witness the Impact of Education in Vanessa Roth’s “Daughters of Destiny”
“I will show the world I am that girl who makes doorways of freedom, hope, and relief,” says one of the students at Shanti Bhavan in a trailer for “Daughters of Destiny.” Directed by Oscar...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 29, 2017Maggie Betts to Co-Write and Direct Political Drama for Focus Features
“Novitiate” writer-director Maggie Betts has booked her follow-up to the coming-of-age nun drama. Deadline reports that she’s sold an untitled original pitch to Focus Features. Little is known...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 29, 2017Trailer Watch: Aubrey Plaza Stalks Insta Star Elizabeth Olsen in “Ingrid Goes West”
Aubrey Plaza takes her fandom way too far in the first trailer for “Ingrid Goes West.” Best known for portraying deadpan, underwhelmed characters like April Ludgate on “Parks and...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 29, 2017July 2017 Film Preview
“Girls Trip” As “Wonder Woman” becomes the highest-grossing live action film directed by a woman, July promises to bring even more interesting, powerful women to the big...
BY adminJune 29, 2017Cathy Schulman to Produce Adaptation of “The Trials of Nina McCall”
“The Trials of Nina McCall” hasn’t been published yet, but the upcoming book has already found a fan in Oscar-winning producer Cathy Schulman. The Hollywood Reporter writes that Schulman’s...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 28, 2017Trailer Watch: Learn More About Leia, Rey, & Jyn Erso in “Star Wars: Forces of Destiny”
Today in non-controversial “Star Wars” news: You won’t have to wait for “The Last Jedi” to hit theaters to see more of Rey, Daisy Ridley’s badass “Force Awakens” character. A trailer...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 28, 2017Quote of the Day: Halle Berry Talks the Lack of Change Since Her Historic 2002 Oscar Win
“This is for every nameless, faceless woman of color who now has a chance because this door has been opened,” a triumphant Halle Berry announced when she won the Best Actress Oscar for...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 28, 2017Exiting Globe Artistic Director Emma Rice to Start New Theater Company
Emma Rice won’t leave her post as artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe until 2018, but she has already lined up her next gig. Per The Stage, Rice has announced her plans to establish Wise...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 28, 2017Olivia Cooke to Topline “Vanity Fair” TV Adaptation
“Bates Motel” alumna Olivia Cooke is following in Reese Witherspoon’s footsteps: she’ll take on the role of Becky Sharp in an upcoming Amazon Studios and ITV adaptation of William Makepeace...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 28, 2017Teaser Watch: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn Can’t Get into the Holiday Spirit in “A…
Teaser Watch: Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn Can’t Get into the Holiday Spirit in “A Bad Moms Christmas” The baddest and most delightfully brash moms are back. The first teaser has...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 28, 2017Veteran TV Director Gail Mancuso to Helm Her First Feature Film
Gail Mancuso’s name probably sounds familiar to you — chances are you’ve seen at least a couple episodes she’s helmed during her 25-year career as a television director. Now, as Deadline...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 28, 2017Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner May Write “Toni Erdmann” Remake
“Girls” collaborators Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner are in “early talks” to write Paramount’s English-language remake of the Oscar-nominated German dark comedy “Toni Erdmann,”...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 28, 2017Trailer Watch: Lake Bell Explores Whether Love Is Sustainable in “I Do… Until I Don’t”
“My new project will propose that love is not sustainable,” a filmmaker (Dolly Wells, “Doll & Em”) tells an audience in the first trailer for “I Do… Until I Don’t.” “Will you...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 28, 2017Amy Adams to Be Honored at Giffoni Film Fest
Amy Adams is adding yet another award to her stacked résumé. The five-time Oscar nominee and two-time Golden Globe winner will be honored at the Giffoni Film Festival, an annual fest in the south...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 27, 2017Sarah Jessica Parker Acquires First Book for Her Imprint
Sarah Jessica Parker is making her mark on the literary world. The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress has a new job title: she’s the editorial director of SJP for Hogarth, her own book imprint....
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 27, 2017Study: Women and People of Color Are Being Shut Out of Theater Jobs
Probably more than any other entertainment field, the theater prides itself on being a haven for everyone, for being progressive, and for continuously pushing the envelope. So it’s extra...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 27, 2017Eileen Myers Signs Overall Deal With Sony TV, Sells Female-Led Drama to Showtime
TV producer and scribe Eileen Myers has inked an overall deal with Sony Pictures TV. Myers has penned episodes of series such as “Big Love,” “Hung,” and “Masters of Sex.” Deadline...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 27, 2017Cross-Post: A Collective Call Against Critical Bias
Paula Vogel’s “Indecent”: NewYorkTheater/YouTube This piece, “A Collective Call Against Critical Bias,” was originally published on HowlRound, a knowledge commons by and for the theatre...
BY Women and HollywoodJune 27, 2017Abigail Disney’s Fork Films Offers Grants to 14 Women-Directed Docs
Abigail Disney is spreading some magic — and money. The “Armor of Light” director and grandniece of Walt Disney is the CEO and President of Fork Films, a film production company that has...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 27, 2017Quote of the Day: Solange Thanks BET for Always Giving Women a Seat at the Table
When Solange won the Centric Award at Sunday’s BET Awards, her acceptance speech seemed fairly run-of-the-mill at first. She thanked her family and friends, her husband and son, and her...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 26, 2017Teaser Watch: Jessica Williams Enters the NYC Dating World in “The Incredible Jessica James”
Jessica Williams won’t suffer fools gladly in the first teaser for “The Incredible Jessica James.” The spot sees the “Daily Show” alumna cutting a bad Tinder date short (“I’m going to...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 26, 2017The Kilroys Publishes List Spotlighting Women Playwrights of Color
The Kilroys, an independent collective in Los Angeles, has released its annual list of “new plays by women deemed worthy of production,” The New York Times reports. This year’s installment...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 26, 2017Petra Volpe’s Tribeca Winner “The Divine Order” Acquired by Kino Lorber and Zeitgeist Films
We’re currently in desperate need of stories about resistance. Given the current political climate in the U.S., the need is especially great for female-led stories of resistance. Fortunately Kino...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 26, 2017Trailer Watch: The Bellas Are Ready to “Aca-Finish This” in “Pitch Perfect 3”
The Barden Bellas have finally graduated and it turns out the real world isn’t as fun as collegiate a cappella competitions. Beca (Anna Kendrick) just quit her job. Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) is doing...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 26, 2017Guest Post: How — and Why — I Made a Movie That Tackles Mental Health
Guest Post by Angela Cohen Why do we go to the movies? Maybe it’s to escape, to relate, live vicariously, feel less alone, or get inspired. Why do I make movies? I want people to love, laugh,...
BY Women and HollywoodJune 26, 2017Trailer Watch: Women Directors Step in Front of the Camera in “Seeing Is Believing”
“I’m not afraid to say, ‘I don’t know,’” says Leslie Hope, director of TV and docs, in a trailer for “Seeing Is Believing: Women Direct.” “I’m also not afraid to say, ‘This is...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 23, 2017Weekly Update for June 23: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“The Beguiled” Films About Women Opening This Week The Beguiled — Written and Directed by Sofia Coppola (Opens in Limited Release; Opens Wider on June 30) “The Beguiled” is an...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 23, 2017Guest Post: Why I Produced a Documentary About Getting Girls into Classrooms Around the World
Guest Post by Martha Adams How can the 130 million girls missing from classrooms around the world get the education they deserve? That’s all I wanted to ask the three Imams sitting across from me...
BY Women and HollywoodJune 23, 2017Jennifer Lopez to Topline and Produce Rom-Com “Second Act”
Jennifer Lopez is returning to romantic comedies. The “Shades of Blue” actress and multi-hyphenate has signed on to star in and produce STXfilms’ “Second Act,” a rom-com about a woman over...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 23, 2017Women Directors Win Big at LA Film Festival
Women-directed films accounted for 46 percent of the films screening at this year’s LA Film Festival. The level playing field resulted in women directors dominating the fest’s awards ceremony....
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 23, 2017Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” Poised to Become Top-Grossing Live-Action Film Directed by a Woman
Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” is poised to make herstory yet again. The Gal Gadot-led superheroine film is quickly approaching a milestone: it’s about to become the top-grossing live-action...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 23, 2017Barbra Streisand and Yvonne Rainer Film Retrospectives Announced
Film retrospectives will honor two icons of the stage and screen this summer in New York City. An exhibition celebrating Oscar-winning actress and singer Barbra Streisand, called “Simply...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 23, 2017Trailer Watch: Marion Cotillard Longs for Her Lover in Nicole Garcia’s “From the Land of the Moon”
“All I do is wait,” Marion Cotillard writes to her lover in a new trailer for “From the Land of the Moon.” “I need you to talk to me,” she begs. The trailer suggests that many of her...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 22, 2017Gillian Jacobs, Vanessa Bayer, and Phoebe Robinson to Star in Clubbing Comedy “Ibiza”
Gillian Jacobs is going to Spain with “SNL” alumna Vanessa Bayer and “2 Dope Queens” podcast co-host Phoebe Robinson. The three will star in the Netflix comedy film “Ibiza,” per The...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 22, 2017Gaming Company Ubisoft Launches Fellowship for Female Screenwriters
Are you a female gamer with filmmaking ambitions? If so, gaming company Ubisoft has introduced the perfect fellowship for you. The Hollywood Reporter writes that Ubisoft’s film division will...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 22, 2017New York State Senate and Assembly Pass TV Diversity Bill
The New York State Senate and Assembly have passed new landmark legislation: the TV Diversity Bill. Spearheaded by State Senator Marisol Alcantara and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, the bill would...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 22, 2017“Queen Sugar” Season 2 Premiere Scores Series-High Ratings Among Women Aged 25–54
All hail the “Queen.” The second season premiere of OWN’s “Queen Sugar” drew 2.3 million viewers as well as a 0.7 18–49 rating and a 2.09 rating among women 25–54 on Tuesday night. As...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 22, 2017Exclusive: “This Is Us” Star Milana Vayntrub Shares Her Refugee Story in “Lives of Women”
“I think that my refugee experience was very different than a lot of people coming to this country now,” says Milana Vayntrub in an episode of Indigenous Media’s new digital portrait series...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 22, 2017Watch: Trans Stars Speak Out in “Why Hollywood Needs Trans Actors”
Elle Fanning-starrer “3 Generations” and Eddie Redmayne-led “The Danish Girl” are just two recent movies starring cis-gender actors playing trans characters. Both films sparked controversy,...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 22, 2017Study: CAA Finds That Diverse Films of All Budgets Fare Better at Box Office
A recent study and corresponding database from Creative Artists Agency (CAA) found that diversity does, indeed, sell. As the Los Angeles Times writes, the research suggests that racially inclusive...
BY Rachel MontpelierJune 21, 2017Oprah Winfrey, Ava DuVernay, & Reese Witherspoon Make THR’s Most Powerful People in Entertainment…
Oprah Winfrey, Ava DuVernay, & Reese Witherspoon Make THR’s Most Powerful People in Entertainment List Ava DuVernay: The Hollywood Reporter/YouTube Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Ava...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 21, 2017Ana Asensio’s SXSW Winner “Most Beautiful Island” Acquired By Orion and Samuel Goldwyn
Orion Pictures and Samuel Goldwyn Films have snagged the North American rights to SXSW winner “Most Beautiful Island,” Deadline reports. Directed, written, produced by, and starring Ana Asensio,...
BY Laura Berger and adminJune 21, 2017

















































