BY Laura Berger
Venice Days Competition Lineup Includes Offerings from Isabel Sandoval and Fabienne Berthaud
Venice Film Festival’s independently run Venice Days section has announced its 2019 lineup. Four of 11 features in competition are directed or co-directed by women, amounting to about 36...
TIFF’s 2019 Gala Lineup Is 50 Percent Women-Directed
The Toronto International Film Festival has started unrolling its 2019 lineup. The fest’s Galas slate is composed of 18 titles, nine of which are directed or co-directed by women — a...
Trailer Watch: Cynthia Erivo Pays Tribute to Harriet Tubman’s Legacy in “Harriet”
“I’m going to be free or die,” says Cynthia Erivo (“Widows”) in a new trailer for “Harriet.” Kasi Lemmons’ biopic of Harriet Tubman sees the political...
Melina Léon’s “A Song Without a Name” Lands Distribution
Melina Léon’s feature debut continues to gain momentum. The Peruvian writer-director’s “Song Without a Name” made its world premiere at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and...
Trailer Watch: Helen Mirren Rules in “Catherine the Great”
“When I was young, I dreamed of freedom,” says Helen Mirren in a new trailer for “Catherine the Great.” “I dreamed of breaking chains. But as you get older, your choices...
Olivia Wilde Re-Teaming with “Booksmart” Scribe Katie Silberman on a New Feature
Olivia Wilde has lined up her follow-up to her feature directorial debut. “Booksmart” is still in theaters, and she’s already signed on to helm a holiday comedy for Universal, which...
Trailer Watch: Marielle Heller Remembers Mister Rogers in “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”
Marielle Heller is following up her acclaimed biopic of Lee Israel, an underappreciated writer whom she described as a “cantankerous, probably-alcoholic lesbian who spends most of her time with...
Submit Now: Issa Rae and Paul Feig’s Teen Movie Contest
The minds behind “Insecure” and “Freaks and Geeks” are teaming up to bring audiences the next great coming-of-age comedy. Issa Rae and Paul Feig are seeking pitches for...
Tina Fey Comedy Lands Series Order from NBC
Tina Fey is getting back into business with the Peacock. The “30 Rock” creator and star just received a straight to series, 13-episode order from NBC for her latest project, a comedy with...
Venice Critics’ Week Lineup to Open with Gitanjali Rao’s “Bombay Rose”
Gitanjali Rao’s feature debut will kick off the 2019 Venice Critics’ Week. The award-winning Indian animator will premiere “Bombay Rose” at the independently run Venice...
Celine Held and Logan George Make Feature Debut with “Topside”
Celine Held and Logan George have a new project on the way. The “Caroline” collaborators and spouses just shot their feature debut, “Topside.” A press release announced the...
Trailer Watch: Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, & Kaitlyn Dever Revisit an “Unbelievable” Story of Rape
“I’m pretty positive it happened,” says Kaitlyn Dever in a new trailer for “Unbelievable.” The Netflix miniseries is inspired by real events and sees the...
Joan Carr-Wiggin Kicks Off Principal Photography on “A Grand Romantic Gesture”
Canadian filmmaker Joan Carr-Wiggin has commenced principal photography on her latest pic, “A Grand Romantic Gesture.” The dramedy stars Gina McKee (“Bodyguard”). Penned by...
Trailer Watch: Harvey Weinstein’s Accusers Speak Out in “Untouchable”
A new trailer for “Untouchable” kicks off with newscasters reporting on the growing number of women accusing movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault and misconduct....
Foreign-Language Oscar Picks: Algeria Selects Mounia Meddour’s “Papicha”
The 2020 foreign-language Oscar race is off to a promising start. Algeria is the first country to submit a feature for contention and it’s a woman-directed title, Mounia Meddour’s...
Issa López’s “Tigers Are Not Afraid” Will Premiere in North American Theaters This Summer
“Tigers Are Not Afraid” is finally making its way stateside. Shudder is set to bring Issa López’s acclaimed dark fable to theaters in the U.S. and Canada. A press release announced...
Amazon Studios Nabs “Selah and the Spades” and Will Develop Original Series
“Selah and the Spades” was one of our most anticipated titles of Sundance this year. The teen drama received strong reviews out of the fest — with a 100 percent “Fresh”...
Trailer Watch: Noomi Rapace Stalks Yvonne Strahovski’s Family in “Angel of Mine”
Yvonne Strahovski is far from Gilead in a new trailer for “Angel of Mine,” but “The Handmaid’s Tale” star finds herself in yet another nightmarish situation in the Kim...
Cristela Alonzo Announces Memoir Release and Stand-Up Tour
Cristela Alonzo fans, rejoice: we’ve got a stand-up tour and a book to look forward to. The history-making comedian is kicking off a 30-city tour this fall, and each stop will include a signing...
Trailer Watch: Jennifer Lopez & Constance Wu Scam Wall Street Bros in “Hustlers”
“The game’s rigged and it does not reward people who play by the rules,” says Jennifer Lopez in a new trailer for Lorene Scafaria’s “Hustlers.” If she and her...
Trailer Watch: Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, and Elisabeth Moss Take Over “The Kitchen”
Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, and Elisabeth Moss’ reputations precede them in a new trailer for “The Kitchen.” “You girls have been very busy,” says a mob boss...
Heidi Schreck’s “What the Constitution Means to Me” Recoups Investment
“What the Constitution Means to Me” isn’t just a critical darling — the Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony-nominated play is also hugely popular among audiences. Its producers...
Greta Gerwig to Co-Write and Possibly Direct “Barbie” Film Starring Margot Robbie
Greta Gerwig will re-imagine the world’s most iconic doll. The Oscar-nominated “Lady Bird” writer-director is signed on to co-write Warner Bros.’ live-action...
Jennifer Salke to Receive LGBTQ Visionary Award
Amazon Studio’s Head Jennifer Salke is “humbled and awed” by the streamer’s latest honor. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she’s set to accept the Visionary Award at...
“Supergirl’s” Melissa Benoist Will Make Her Directorial Debut on the Show
Supergirl herself is soaring into the director’s chair. “Supergirl” star Melissa Benoist is set to make her directorial debut on the CW series, Entertainment Weekly confirms. The...
Trailer Watch: Emma Roberts Finds the Darkness in “Paradise Hills”
Emma Roberts is sent to an isolated island in a new trailer for “Paradise Hills.” Told she’s “in paradise” and convinced otherwise, Uma (Roberts) is terrified when she...
Lashana Lynch Is the New 007
Lashana Lynch is shaking up the “Bond” universe. Best known for standing — and flying — by Brie Larson’s side in “Captain Marvel,” the British actress has...
“The Farewell” Edges Out “Avengers: Endgame” For This Year’s Biggest Theater Average
Awkwafina is giving Iron Man, Thor, and Black Widow some competition. Even an NYC blackout couldn’t keep the “Crazy Rich Asians” breakout from making a major dent at the box office....
Trailer Watch: Gemma Chan, Samantha Morton, and Vicky McClure Take the Lead in “I Am”
Gemma Chan, Samantha Morton, and Vicky McClure struggle with societal expectations, unhealthy romances, and financial woes in a new trailer for Channel 4’s “I Am.” Consisting of...
Karyn Kusama Is Directing Paramount Network’s Series Adaptation of “Sexy Beast”
Karyn Kusama is following up 2018 Nicole Kidman-starrer “Destroyer” with another crime thriller, this one for the small screen. Variety reports that she’s been tapped to direct a...
“Paper Girls” Adaptation Scores Amazon Series Commitment
Amazon Studios has handed out a series commitment to “Paper Girls,” an ’80-set drama about time-traveling young girls that sounds like a delightful mash-up of “Stranger...
Gina Rodriguez to Play POTUS and Direct Pilot of Disney+ Series
Already confirmed as an exec producer on “Diary of a Female President,” “Jane the Virgin” breakout Gina Rodriguez has now signed on to recur and direct the pilot of the Disney+...
Courteney Cox Will Topline and Exec Produce Scripted Series Based on “Last Chance U”
Courteney Cox has made millions laugh as Monica in “Friends” and Jules in “Cougar Town,” and now she’s poised to lift our spirits with epic pep talks. Deadline reports...
Amy Sherman-Palladino Is Penning the “Gypsy” Remake
“Gypsy” will be getting some trademark Amy Sherman-Palladino banter. The “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Gilmore Girls” creator has been linked to the New Regency...
Trailer Watch: “The Great Hack” Investigates How Data Is Being Weaponized
“Data rights should be considered fundamental rights,” says one of the characters in “The Great Hack.” Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer’s documentary explores the world of...
Teaser Watch: Katee Sackhoff Returns to Space in “Another Life”
Starbuck embarks on another interstellar adventure in “Another Life” — and she’s not happy about it. The upcoming Netflix sci-fi series sees “Battlestar Galactica”...
Trailer Watch: Patricia Arquette, Angela Bassett, & Felicity Huffman Experience “Otherhood”
“What kind of son forgets Mother’s Day?” A trio of friends are left discussing this very question when their sons forget the holiday. Patricia Arquette, Angela Bassett, and Felicity...
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Lands Leading Role in Mindy Kaling’s Coming-of-Age Netflix Comedy
Mindy Kaling has found her Mindy Kaling. The “Late Night” star and writer’s semi-autobiographical Netflix series has cast its lead following a worldwide open casting call. Maitreyi...
Katherine Heigl Will Topline and EP Netflix Series Adaptation of “Firefly Lane”
“My Brilliant Friend” fans, take note: another series based on a book about a complicated female friendship with a long history is on the way. Katherine Heigl will follow up her...
Trailer Watch: McKenna Is Forced to Play Another Game in “Light as a Feather” Season 2
“I already have a past — I’m more concerned about what comes next,” says McKenna (Liana Liberato, “To the Bone”) in a new trailer for “Light as a...
BAM to Present “Punks, Poets, and Valley Girls: Women Filmmakers in 1980s America”
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “Pet Sematary,” and “Yentl” are just a few of the titles Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is set to screen in their latest film...
Trailer Watch: Dora the Explorer Heads to High School in “Dora and the Lost City of Gold”
Dora the Explorer says goodbye to the jungle and hello to high school in “Dora and the Lost City of Gold.” A new trailer for the live-action feature based on the beloved animated series...
Trailer Watch: Brenda Song Takes on Her Stalker in “Secret Obsession”
Brenda Song wakes up in a hospital bed with no recollection of what happened to her in a new trailer for “Secret Obsession.” The Netflix thriller sees Jennifer (Song) regaining...
Lulu Wang to Write and Direct “Children of the New World”
“The Farewell” hits theaters later this week, and it looks like we won’t have to wait long for writer-director Lulu Wang’s follow-up. A press release announced that...
Trailer Watch: Progressive Politics Get Religious Leaders Labeled “American Heretics” in New Doc
“I came to build a liberal Protestant church in Oklahoma, but I made the mistake of using the word liberal. In Oklahoma you can be a Democrat or a Christian, but you can’t be both,”...
Trailer Watch: Renée Zellweger Revisits the Final Months of Judy Garland’s Life in “Judy”
“Judy” doesn’t hit theaters until September 27, but Renée Zellweger just took a big leap in the Oscar race thanks to a newly released trailer for the Judy Garland...
Trailer Watch: Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning Are at War in “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”
“Love doesn’t always end well,” warns Angelina Jolie in a new trailer for “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.” Released in 2014, the original “Maleficent” offered...
Trailer Watch: “Mulan” Forges Her Own Destiny
A new trailer for Disney’s live-action take on “Mulan” sees its protagonist thwarting societal expectations and refusing to be defined by her gender. A matchmaker has found Mulan...
Gwyneth Hughes Working on a Small Screen Adaptation of “Anna Karenina”
Another adaptation of Anna Karenina’s tragic tale is on the way. Gwyneth Hughes is in the early stages of developing a small-screen remake of Leo Tolstoy’s classic 19th-century novel with...
“Vita & Virginia” Gets U.S. Release Date
“Vita & Virginia” will hit theaters stateside August 23. Chanya Button’s drama is inspired by a true story and depicts the friendship and love affair between Virginia Woolf and...
Cami Delavigne Penning Feature Adaptation of Dani Shapiro’s “Inheritance” for Killer Films
Cami Delavigne helped steer Julia Roberts’ journey towards uncovering her mysterious history in “Homecoming,” and now she’s set to take on another story about a woman with a...