BY Laura Berger
2020 Athena Film Fest to Open with “I Am Woman” and Close with “Rocks”
The Athena Film Festival (AFF) at Barnard College has announced its 2020 program. The 10th annual edition of the fest will kick off with the New York Premiere of “I Am Woman,” Unjoo...
Peggy Holmes Will Direct “Luck”
Peggy Holmes is boarding “Luck.” She’s replacing Alessandro Carloni as director on the Skydance Animation feature due to the latter’s “creative differences” with...
Tilda Swinton to Be Honored with BFI Fellowship and BFI Southbank Season
The BFI is paying tribute to Tilda Swinton. The Oscar and BAFTA winner will receive the BFI Fellowship to honor and celebrate her “daringly eclectic and striking talents as a performer and...
Sarah Gavron Named Jury Chair for the BFI Future Film Festival Awards
Sarah Gavron will help celebrate the next generation of auteurs. A press release announced that the “Suffragette” helmer has been named Jury Chair of the BFI Future Film Festival, a UK...
Trailer Watch: Aidy Bryant Is Figuring Things Out in “Shrill” Season 2
Aidy Bryant is convinced she’s “finally figuring things out” in a new trailer for “Shrill’s” second season, but there are still plenty of bumps along the road....
Rachel Bloom and Betsy Sodaro Score Pilot Order from Pop TV for “Mother Mary”
Our favorite crazy ex-girlfriend is set to play the mother of the Antichrist. Rachel Bloom will follow-up her beloved CW musical series “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” with “Mother...
Watch: Scarlett Johansson and Cate Shortland Discuss the Evolution of “Black Widow” in Featurette
Scarlett Johansson has played Natasha Romanoff — better known as Black Widow — for a decade. The former KGB assassin was introduced in 2010’s “Iron Man 2,” and now,...
Suranne Jones to Star in and Produce TV Series Inspired by World Boxing Champ Jane Couch
Suranne Jones is set to play another trailblazer. The star of HBO/BBC’s “Gentleman Jack” will star in and produce a series based on the life of five-time female world boxing...
Mélanie Laurent to Write and Direct Adaptation of “The Mad Women’s Ball”
Just over a month after word came that Mélanie Laurent will direct Elle and Dakota Fanning in an adaptation of Kristin Hannah’s “The Nightingale” comes news that she’s...
“Silence of the Lambs” Spinoff “Clarice” in the Works at CBS
Hello (again), Clarice. Clarice Starling is heading to the small screen. CBS just finalized deals for “‘Clarice,’ a crime drama series project based on the famous Thomas Harris...
Emerald Fennell Is Working on a New Musical Version of “Cinderella”
Emerald Fennell is offering a fresh take on an old classic. The Guardian reports that the former showrunner of “Killing Eve” has teamed up with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber on a new...
Zeitgeist Films to Receive Spotlight Lifetime Achievement Award at Art House Convergence
Zeitgeist Films is set to receive a major honor at Art House Convergence’s annual conference. The indie film distributor’s co-founders, Nancy Gerstman and Emily Russo, have been named as the...
Jillian Bell and Isla Fisher to Topline Sharon Maguire Disney+ Comedy “Godmothered”
Isla Fisher will wish upon a star to mixed results in a new Disney+ comedy. The “Blithe Spirit” star has signed on to topline “Godmothered” alongside Jillian Bell, who just...
Trailer Watch: Cate Blanchett Takes on the Women’s Liberation Movement in “Mrs. America”
“I am not against women,” says Cate Blanchett in a new trailer for “Mrs. America.” “I am not against women working outside the home. But what I am against is the...
“Advocate” Acquired by PBS’ “POV”
“Advocate” is headed to the small screen. A press release confirmed that PBS’ “POV” has acquired U.S. broadcast rights to Rachel Leah Jones and Philippe...
Fran Drescher and Rachel Bloom Are Working on a Musical Based on “The Nanny”
Rachel Bloom has sung about everything from heavy boobs to period sex to anti-depressants, and now the Golden Globe-winning “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” co-creator and star is turning to...
Trailer Watch: Margot Robbie Embraces the Fierce Goddess Within in Cathy Yan’s “Birds of Prey”
Margot Robbie is anything but a damsel in distress in a new trailer for “Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.” Following an ugly breakup with the Joker,...
Tig Notaro to Receive Honor at Oscar Wilde Awards
The Oscar Wilde Awards is set to pay tribute to Tig Notaro. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that the Mississippi-born stand-up comedian “with Irish roots” will be recognized at the 15th...
Glasgow Film Fest Will Open with “Proxima,” Close with “How to Build a Girl”
Women-directed offerings will bookend the 2020 Glasgow Film Festival. The 16th edition of the fest will kick off with the UK premiere of Alice Winocour’s latest, mother-daughter drama...
Trailer Watch: Leslie Jones Fondly Recalls Drunk Shenanigans in Netflix’s “Time Machine”
Netflix just dropped a trailer for “Time Machine,” Leslie Jones’ stand-up special. The spot sees the “SNL” alumna reflecting on her past, present, and future. Jones is...
Trailer Watch: Kelly Reichardt Tells the Story of Two Friends Starting a Business in “First Cow”
“History isn’t here yet. It’s coming, but maybe this time we can take it on our own terms,” says King Lu (Orion Lee) in the first trailer for Kelly Reichardt’s...
DGA Awards: Mati Diop, Alma Har’el, and Melina Matsoukas Nominated for First-Time Feature Film
The Directors Guild of America has announced more nominees for the 2020 DGA Awards. Not a single woman is in the running in the Feature Film category. More encouragingly, women account for three of...
“Little Women” and “Frozen 2” Among Nominees for Producers Guild of America Awards
Nominations for the 2020 Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards are in. The PGA Awards’ Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures category is regarded as a...
Trailer Watch: “The New Mutants” Band Together to Escape Their Cage
“Do you know what mutants are?” Blu Hunt is asked in a new trailer for “The New Mutants.” The “X-Men” spinoff sees the “Another Life” actress playing...
DGA Award Nominations: Ava DuVernay, Jessica Yu, Nanfu Wang, & More Land Nods
The Directors Guild of America (DGA) is beginning to unveil nominations for the 2020 DGA Awards. Women account for three of six nominees in the Movies for Television and Miniseries category: Ava...
Josie Totah Will Topline Peacock’s “Saved by the Bell” Revival
Josie Totah is enrolling at Bayside High. The “Champions” alumna has been cast as the lead of Peacock’s “Saved by the Bell” revival, Variety confirms. The NBCu streamer...
Writers Guild Film Nominations: “Little Women,” “Booksmart,” & More
Three of our favorite films by and about women from last year are among the nominees for the 2020 Writers Guild Awards. “Little Women,” “Booksmart,” and “The...
“Frozen 2” Is the Highest-Grossing Animated Film Ever
Elsa and Anna are adding another crown to their collection. “Frozen 2” is officially the highest-grossing animated movie of all time globally, Deadline reports. The original...
Trailer Watch: A Jewish-Israeli Human Rights Lawyer Is an “Advocate” for Her Palestinian Clients
Lea Tsemel is, in her own words, “a very angry optimistic woman.” A new trailer for “Advocate” sees the controversial Jewish-Israeli human rights lawyer reflecting on her...
“Killing Eve” Renewed for a Fourth Season
Eve and Villanelle’s toxic love story is adding another chapter. “Killing Eve” has been renewed for a fourth season by BBC America months ahead of its Season 3 premiere, Deadline...
Time’s Up Releases Safety Guide for the Entertainment Industry
Time’s Up Entertainment just released a valuable resource ahead of Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards. The Time’s Up Guide to Working in Entertainment “provides accessible and...
Trailer Watch: Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin Start a New Business in “Grace and Frankie’s” Sixth Season
“Ever since you and I became you and me, we’ve done a lot of crazy shit, but we’ve always done it together,” says Jane Fonda in a new trailer for “Grace and...
Jamie Lee Curtis to Be Honored by Society of Camera Operators
The Society of Camera Operators (SOC) is paying tribute to Jamie Lee Curtis. The “Knives Out” actress has been named as the recipient of the professional honor society’s Lifetime...
Mia Hansen-Løve Will Head the Nordic Competition Jury at Göteborg Film Festival
Mia Hansen-Løve is headed to the Göteborg Film Festival. The French writer-director has been tapped to serve as head the jury of the Nordic competition at the 43rd edition of the fest, a press...
Lena Waithe Will Receive Palm Springs Film Fest’s Creative Impact in Producing Award
Lena Waithe has more to celebrate. Her feature screenwriting debut, “Queen & Slim,” hit theaters last month, and now Variety reports that she’ll be honored with the Creative...
Trailer Watch: Zoë Kravitz Revisits Her Past Heartbreaks and Talks Music in “High Fidelity”
“High Fidelity” is coming to the small screen. Unlike Nick Hornby’s 1995 novel and the 2000 film starring John Cusack, Hulu’s take on the story features a female protagonist. Zoë...
Sharon Horgan Inks First-Look Deal with Apple
Apple is welcoming one of our favorite multi-hyphenates into its folds. “Catastrophe” co-creator, star, writer, and exec producer Sharon Horgan has signed an exclusive first-look deal...
Cynthia Erivo to Receive Breakthrough Performance Award at Palm Springs Film Fest
Following supporting turns in “Widows,” “Bad Times at the El Royale,” and a handful of other projects, Cynthia Erivo made her on-screen debut as a leading lady in Kasi...
Nisha Ganatra to Direct a Pic About an Indian Boy Band for Universal
Nisha Ganatra is singing another tune. The “Late Night” helmer is currently in post-production on “Covers,” a romance set in the Los Angeles music scene, and now word comes...
Trailer Watch: Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche Have a Tense Reunion in “The Truth”
“You used your magical powers,” Juliette Binoche tells Catherine Deneuve in a new trailer for “The Truth.” “I’m on the verge of forgiving you.” The drama...
Freida Pinto to Topline & Produce Limited Series About Former U.S. Marine Anuradha Bhagwati
Freida Pinto is returning to the small screen. “The Path” alumna is slated to star in and produce a limited series based on former U.S. Marine Anuradha Bhagwati’s memoir...
Trailer Watch: Amy Adams Suspects Foul Play in “The Woman in the Window”
“Don’t go looking into other people’s houses — you won’t like what you see,” Amy Adams is warned in a new trailer for “The Woman in the Window.” The...
Trailer Watch: Zoey Deutch Is a Debt Collector at War in Tanya Wexler’s “Buffaloed”
Zoey Deutch is ready to “stop trying not to be poor and start trying to get rich” in a new trailer for “Buffaloed.” Tanya Wexler’s dark comedy tells the story of Peg...
Nancy Meyers to Be Honored with WGA West’s Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement
The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is paying tribute to Nancy Meyers. The writer-director has been named as the 2020 recipient of the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement, a lifetime...
Trailer Watch: A Nurse Is Obsessed with Saving Her Patient’s Soul in “Saint Maud”
“It takes nothing special to mop up after the dying, but to save a soul — that’s quite something,” says Morfydd Clark in a new trailer for “Saint Maud.” Rose...
London Critics’ Circle Film Nominations Announced, “The Souvenir” Leads the Pack
The lovefest for”The Souvenir” continues. Earlier this month Joanna Hogg’s coming-of-age drama topped Sight & Sound’s Best of 2019 list, and now comes word that the pic...
Quote of the Day: Gabrielle Union on Rejecting the Status Quo and Holding the Door Open
Gabrielle Union is speaking her truth — and hoping to inspire others along the way. The “LA’s Finest” star recently participated in a panel about female empowerment and...
Greta Thunberg Doc in the Works at Hulu
Hulu is paying tribute to Time’s 2019 Person of the Year. The streamer will premiere an original doc about climate activist Greta Thunberg in 2020, Deadline reports. Tentatively titled...
Oscars Doc Shortlist Includes “For Sama,” “One Child Nation,” & More
We’re one step closer to finding out which films will receive Oscar nods. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced shortlists for a number of categories including...
Natalie Dormer Developing TV Series About WWII’s Forgotten Female Aviators
Natalie Dormer is taking flight. The “Game of Thrones” alumna is developing a TV series about WWII’s unsung female aviators via her newly launched production banner, Dog Rose...
Paula Pell and Merrill Markoe Win WGA Honors
The Writers Guild of America is set to celebrate Paula Pell and Merrill Markoe on different coasts. The former has been named as the winner of WGA East’s Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence...