BY Laura Berger
Sahar Jahani & Mindy Kaling Partner for “Hana Khan Carries On” Adaptation at Amazon Studios
Sahar Jahani is joining forces with Mindy Kaling to offer an updated take on “Shop Around the Corner.” According to Variety, they’re are working on a film adaptation of Uzma...
Karla-Simone Spence Will Topline ITV Period Drama “The Confessions of Frannie Langton”
Karla-Simone Spence has been tapped to lead “The Confessions of Frannie Langton,” an ITV period drama based Sara Collins’ award-winning 2019 novel. The “Gold Digger”...
TIFF Announces Special Retrospective of Alanis Obomsawin & Platform Program
The Toronto International Film Festival is rolling out the red carpet for Alanis Obomsawin. The award-winning Abenaki documentary filmmaker, writer, singer, and activist was previously named as this...
Rowan Blanchard and Auli’i Cravalho Team Up for Sammi Cohen Queer Coming-of-Age Pic
Rowan Blanchard is getting off the train and heading back to high school. The “Snowpiercer” actress and “Girls Meets World” alumna is set to topline an untitled coming-of-age...
New York Film Fest Announces 2021 Main Slate, Lineup Is 31 Percent Women-Directed
New York Film Festival (NYFF) has unveiled its Main Slate. Of 32 films set to screen, 10 are directed or co-directed by women, amounting to about 31 percent of the program. Last year, women directed...
Zooey Deschanel, Karina Longworth, & Vanessa Hope Team Up for Narrative Podcast About Joan Bennett & Walter Wanger
“You Must Remember This” creator Karina Longworth is digging up more Hollywood history. The podcast host is launching a narrative podcast exploring actress Joan Bennett and producer...
Trailer Watch: Sara Colangelo Revisits the Story Behind the 9/11 Victims Fund in “Worth”
“What would your life be worth?” Michael Keaton is asked in a new trailer for Sara Colangelo’s third feature. Based on a true story, “Worth” takes place in the aftermath...
Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic’s Cannes Winner “Murina” Lands U.K.-Ireland Distribution
Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic’s feature directorial debut has secured distribution. Modern Films acquired U.K.-Ireland rights to “Murina,” this year’s winner of Cannes’ Camera...
Hanelle M. Culpepper Will Direct Action Pic “Coyote Blue”
Hanelle M. Culpepper has another feature in the works. The prolific, history-making small screen helmer already has “1000 Miles,” a drama inspired by the true story of an enslaved...
rePRO Film Festival 2021 Women Directors: Meet Marion Lipschutz and Rose Rosenblatt – “Bei Bei”
Rose Rosenblatt and Marion Lipschutz are partners in Incite Pictures/Cine Qua Non. Their prior titles include “Young Lakota,” “The Education of Shelby Knox,” “Live Free...
Jennifer Lawrence Set to Play Agent Sue Mengers, Spurring a Bidding War
One of the most acclaimed on-screen talents of her generation is set to pay tribute to a Hollywood legend who made her name behind the scenes. Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence is leading a highly...
Gurinder Chadha Has a Bollywood-Inspired Animated Pic in the Works
Gurinder Chadha is expanding her horizons. Best known for her smash hit “Bend It Like Beckham,” the writer and director is planning to foray into the world of animation. She’s...
Trailer Watch: Gina Rodriguez & Tess Romero Return for “Diary of a Future President” Season 2
Elena Cañero-Reed is destined to run the United States, but first she’ll need to survive seventh grade. A new trailer for the second season of “Diary of a Future President” sees...
Tribeca Prize-Winning Rowing Drama “The Novice” Acquired by IFC Films
Lauren Hadaway’s award-winning feature directorial debut has found a home. IFC Films snagged North American rights to the “The Novice,” now slated for release in select theaters,...
Trailer Watch: Nanfu Wang Revisits the Early Days of COVID-19 with “In the Same Breath”
The award-winning director of “One Child Nation” and “Hooligan Sparrow” takes on the COVID-19 crisis with “In the Same Breath.” Nanfu Wang’s latest explores...
Trailer Watch: SXSW Winner “Lily Topples the World” Celebrates Domino Artist Lily Hevesh
“I feel like I found myself because of dominos,” Lily Hevesh says in a new trailer for “Lily Topples the World.” The SXSW winner spotlights the 20-year-old sensation, who has...
Jessica Chastain Will Be Honored with TIFF Tribute Actor Award
Jessica Chastain will be joining Alanis Obomsawin at this year’s TIFF Tribute Awards. A press release announced that the two-time Oscar nominee has been named as this year’s recipient of...
Julia Ducournau’s Cannes Winner “Titane” Will Open TIFF’s Midnight Madness Section, More Films Announced
“Titane” will be making its North American premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival. A press release announced that Julia Ducournau’s Palme d’Or winner will open...
Kerry Washington Set to Star in and Exec Produce Netflix Surfing Pic “Rockaway”
Kerry Washington is saying goodbye to Shaker Heights and hello to Rockaway Beach. Variety reports that the Emmy-nominated “Little Fires Everywhere” star is set to to topline and produce a...
Trailer Watch: Kay Cannon and Camila Cabello Modernize “Cinderella”
Camila Cabello vows to make a life for herself in a new trailer for “Cinderella,” Kay Cannon’s modern take on the beloved fairy tale. In this version of the story, Cinderella...
Thea Sharrock to Direct Soccer Pic “The Beautiful Game”
Thea Sharrock is making another film based on a true story. She’s set to follow up 2020’s “The One and Only Ivan,” a family pic about a gorilla who makes headlines for his...
Octavia Spencer Will Receive the James Schamus Ally Award at Outfest Film Fest
Octavia Spencer is set to be honored at Outfest LA LGBTQ Film Festival. Deadline reports that the Oscar winner has been named as the recipient of the James Schamus Ally Award, which she’ll...
Pick of the Day: “Pray Away”
As moving as it is infuriating,” “Pray Away” sees director Kristine Stolakis taking a sobering look at the ongoing toll of conversion therapy. The doc explores the “ex-gay...
Trailer Watch: Mélanie Laurent and Lou de Laâge Reteam for “The Mad Women’s Ball”
“I don’t belong here,” Lou de Laâge insists in a trailer for “The Mad Women’s Ball.” Set to make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in...
Nia Long Joins Lili Reinhart in Wanuri Kahiu’s “Plus/Minus”
Wanuri Kahiu’s latest has added another cast member. Nia Long is set to appear in Lili Reinhart-starrer “Plus/Minus.” Variety broke the news. Penned by April Prosser, the romantic...
Marlee Matlin Workplace Comedy About Sign Language Interpreting in the Works at NBC
Marlee Matlin has booked a splashy new gig following the record-breaking success of her latest film at Sundance. The “CODA” actress and Oscar winner will topline and exec produce an...
Keeley Hawes Will Topline and Exec Produce BBC’s “Crossfire”
Keeley Hawes is joining the cast of another nail-biter. The “Bodyguard” and “Line of Duty” actress will topline and exec produce “Crossfire,” a BBC One miniseries...
Pick of the Day: “Lorelei”
First-time feature director Sabrina Doyle told us that “Lorelei” is the result of her desire to “make a film about working-class people that shows their resilience, their inner...
Kelley Kali and Angelique Molina’s SXSW Winner “I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)” Lands at BET Her
Kelley Kali and Angelique Molina’s award-winning drama exploring homelessness in the age of COVID-19 has found a home. BET landed rights to “I’m Fine (Thanks for Asking)” and is...
Tonys Set to Honor Graciela Daniele, the Director & Choreographer Will Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
The Tony Awards is set to recognize a 10-time nominee with a major honor. Deadline reports that Graciela Daniele will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to theater at the...
HBO Orders Pilot Script Based on Octavia Butler’s “Fledgling” from Sonya Winton-Odamtten & Jonathan I. Kidd
Yet another Octavia Butler adaptation is in the works. The late and great beloved sci-fi writer is finally getting the kudos she deserves in the film and TV world. Variety reports that HBO has...
Andrea Arnold’s “Cow” Lands at IFC Films
“Cow” has secured North American distribution following its premiere at Cannes Film Festival. IFC films snagged rights to Andrea Arnold’s documentary, Deadline reports. Shot over...
Jane Campion’s “Power of the Dog,” Cannes Winner “Unclenching the Fists,” & More Added to TIFF Lineup
More films have been added to the Toronto International Film Festival’s 2021 lineup. An additional three titles will screen as Gala Presentations, two of which are directed or co-directed by...
Trailer Watch: Sundance Winner “Writing with Fire” Spotlights an Indian Newspaper Run by Women
“In our region a Dalit woman journalist was unimaginable. Over the last 14 years, we’ve changed that perception,” we’re told in a new trailer for “Writing with...
Megan Park SXSW Winner “The Fallout” Will Debut on HBO Max, Jenna Ortega & Maddie Ziegler Star
Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to Megan Park’s feature directorial debut. The winner of a grand jury and audience award at SXSW, “The Fallout” tells the story...
Annie Murphy Will Topline and Exec Produce “Witness Protection” Comedy
Annie Murphy’s set to lead her first feature. The Emmy-winning “Schitt’s Creek” breakout will topline and executive produce “Witness Protection” for MRC Film’s...
Garrett Bradley to Direct Adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s “Parable of the Sower” for A24
Garrett Bradley’s taking inspiration from another trailblazer. The Oscar-nominated “Time” director is set to follow up her Naomi Osaka Netflix docuseries with an adaptation of...
Outfest LA LGBTQ Film Festival Announces 2021 Lineup, Will Close with “Fanny: The Right to Rock”
Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival has announced its 2021 lineup. Set to take place August 13-22, this year’s program features nearly 200 films. Titles set to screen include Natalie...
Kai Yu Wu & Cherie Dimaline Team Up for “Empire of Wild,” Horror Series Rooted in Indigenous Folklore
Kai Yu Wu is bringing “Empire of the Wild” to the small screen with the help of the horror novel’s author, Cherie Dimaline. The duo are working with Fabel Entertainment on a series...
Trailer Watch: Lucy Walker Chronicles the 2018 California Wildfires in “Bring Your Own Brigade”
Lucy Walker’s latest sees the Oscar-nominated filmmaker investigating the deadliest week of wildfires in California history. “The world is waking up to the hellish realization that all...
Trailer Watch: Billie Piper Makes Her Directorial Debut with Anti-Rom-Com “Rare Beasts”
“Marriage, babies. these days we wait and wait for everything to align with the stars and it just doesn’t happen,” we’re told in a new trailer for “Rare Beasts.”...
Pick of the Day: “Playing with Sharks”
I’d never heard of Valerie Taylor before “Playing with Sharks,” but Sally Aitken’s loving tribute makes a compelling case for why the pioneer in underwater filmmaking and...
Trailer Watch: Natalie Morales Celebrates Long-Distance Friendship in SXSW Winner “Language Lessons”
Borders and distance can’t keep Natalie Morales and Mark Duplass apart in “Language Lessons,” a tribute to long-distance friendship. The comedy sees Cariño (Morales), a Spanish...
rePRO Film Fest Lineup Includes “On the Divide,” “Fly So Far,” & Other Titles Exploring Reproductive Justice
rePRO Film Fest has announced its 2021 lineup. Now in its second edition, rePRO is the only festival in the world dedicated to reproductive justice and advocates for “women’s (cis, trans,...
Alanis Obomsawin to Receive TIFF Tribute Award for Bridging Social Impact and Cinema
Alanis Obomsawin is set to be honored at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The award-winning documentary filmmaker, writer, singer, and activist has been named as the recipient of the...
Leslie Grace Lands the Lead in “Batgirl”
Leslie Grace is heading from Washington Heights to Gotham City. The “In the Heights” breakout has been tapped to lead Warner Bros. and DC Films’ “Batgirl,” Deadline...
Trailer Watch: Sandra Oh Is “The Chair” In Netflix Higher Ed Comedy
Sandra Oh is taking a break from chasing Jodie Comer around Europe and entering the world of academia. Set to launch on Netflix August 20, “The Chair” sees the “Killing Eve”...
Marie Amiguet Snow Leopard Doc “The Velvet Queen” Acquired by Oscilloscope Following Cannes Premiere
Marie Amiguet’s search for snow leopards is coming to theaters. Oscilloscope snagged U.S. rights to “The Velvet Queen” (“La Panthere des neiges”), a documentary that sees Amiguet...
Venice: Chloé Zhao, Cynthia Erivo, Sarah Gadon, and Virginie Efira Will Serve in Fest’s Main Jury
Last year Chloé Zhao received Venice Film Festival’s top honor, the Golden Lion. This year the “Nomadland” writer-director will return as a member of the upcoming edition’s...
Trailer Watch: Isabelle Huppert Is an Evil Stepmother in Anne Fontaine’s Carnal Fairy Tale “White as Snow”
Anne Fontaine gives “Snow White” a modern makeover in “White as Snow,” a sexually charged take on the classic fairy tale. The dark comedy tells the story of Claire (Lou de...
TIFF Starts Unveiling Gala & Special Presentation Programs, 28 Percent of Titles Directed by Women
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the first selections in its two highest-profile programs, Gala and Special Presentations. The 46th edition of the fest will include...