BY Laura Berger
Kelly Reichardt is Filming Her Next Feature, “First Cow”
Kelly Reichardt has kicked off production on her next film. She’ll follow up 2016’s “Certain Women” with “First Cow,” IndieWire reports. Set in 1820s Oregon and...
Alicia Silverstone to Topline Amy Miller Gross’ “The Pleasure of Your Presence”
Alicia Silverstone will star in and exec produce “The Pleasure of Your Presence,” Deadline confirms. The pic marks Amy Miller Gross’ follow-up to her first feature,...
“Tell It to the Bees” and “The Chambermaid” Secure North American Distribution
Both “Tell It to the Bees” and “The Chambermaid” made their world premieres at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival in September, and now the women-directed pics have...
Exclusive: Nina Menkes’ “Queen of Diamonds” Has Been Restored, Will Be Re-Released
Originally released in 1991, Nina Menkes’ subversive drama “Queen of Diamonds” was heralded as a feminist masterwork. Now the film about a struggling Blackjack dealer is getting a...
Trailer Watch: Rebel Wilson’s Life Becomes a Rom-Com in “Isn’t It Romantic?”
Rebel Wilson finds herself trapped inside a romantic comedy in the first trailer for “Isn’t It Romantic?” As a girl, Natalie (Wilson) was drawn to the genre. But her mother was...
Keesha Sharp to Topline and Produce Eartha Kitt Biopic
Perhaps best known for playing district attorney Trish Murtaugh on Fox’s “Lethal Weapon,” Keesha Sharp is stepping into Catwoman’s shoes for a new project. The actress has...
Jennifer Lawrence Launches Producing Shingle and Sets First Look Deal with Makeready
Not yet 30, Jennifer Lawrence already has over half a dozen blockbusters and four Oscar nominations — including a win — to her name. Now the “Mother!” actress is looking to...
Gia Coppola to Direct “Mainstream,” a Love Triangle Featuring Rising Star Maya Hawke
Gia Coppola has booked her next gig. She’ll follow up her 2013 directorial debut “Palo Alto” with “Mainstream,” Variety reports. Described as an “eccentric love...
Naomi Watts Takes the Lead in “Game of Thrones” Prequel
Naomi Watts is Westeros bound. The two-time Oscar nominee has signed on to star in an untitled “Game of Thrones” prequel, Deadline confirms. The project hails from “X-Men: First...
BIFA 2018 Nominations: “You Were Never Really Here,” “The Favourite,” and More
The nominations for the 2018 British Independent Film Awards have been announced, and royal comedy “The Favourite” leads the pack with 13 nods. Starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and...
Anna Kendrick Embarks on a Mission to Mars in Sci-Fi Thriller “Stowaway”
Anna Kendrick is heading to space. The “Pitch Perfect” star has signed on to topline sci-fi thriller “Stowaway” for XYZ Films, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Joe...
Viola Davis to Receive Sherry Lansing Leadership Award
Viola Davis has been named as the recipient of the 2018 Sherry Lansing Award. Given annually to “a woman who has been a trailblazer and philanthropic leader in her industry,” the honor...
Cate Blanchett to Play Conservative Activist Opposed to Equal Rights in FX’s “Mrs. America”
In real life, Cate Blanchett is an outspoken feminist who famously called out Hollywood’s lack of female-led stories while accepting an Oscar. Her next role will be a major departure. The...
Film Forum to Host Ida Lupino Retrospective
Known for taking roles Bette Davis turned down, Ida Lupino went on to pave a path entirely her own. With on-screen credits including “They Drive by Night” and “High Sierra,”...
Ava DuVernay Is Working with Netflix on a Prince Documentary
Ava DuVernay is making it rain purple at Netflix. The “Wrinkle in Time” helmer is working with the streamer on a Prince documentary, Deadline confirms. Set to cover the iconic...
Lena Dunham to Adapt Syrian Refugee Story
Lena Dunham has been tapped to adapt a Syrian refugee survival story. The “Girls” creator and star will take “A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea: One Refugee’s Incredible Story...
Namrata Singh Gujral’s “5 Weddings” Banned in Kuwait for Inclusion of Transgender Characters
“5 Weddings” opened in more than a dozen countries this weekend — including the U.S, Russia, and India — but one nation has made it crystal clear that Namrata Singh Gujral’s...
Kate Hudson to Star in Ana Lily Amirpour’s Next Feature, “Blood Moon”
Ana Lily Amirpour has another genre flick on the way. After telling the story of a lonely vampire in “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” and cannibals in a desert dystopia in “The...
Chicken & Egg Pictures Receives Amicus Award at IDA Documentary Awards
Given at the IDA Documentary Awards, the Amicus Award “honors individuals or organizations in recognition of their work supporting the essential needs of the nonfiction media landscape.”...
Allison Janney and Laura Dern to Play Sisters in “Breaking News in Yuba County”
Recent award show favorites Allison Janney and Laura Dern have signed on to star in “Breaking News in Yuba County,” a black comedy to be helmed by Tate Taylor, who directed Janney in...
Anya Taylor-Joy to Topline “Emma,” Autumn De Wilde Directing
First published in 1815, “Emma” continues to resonate. Jane Austen’s novel about a meddlesome matchmaker is once again being adapted for the screen. Deadline reports that...
Iliza Shlesinger Secures CBS Put Pilot Commitment for Comedy About Sisters
Iliza Shlesinger has a new small screen project in the works. The standup’s multi-camera comedy about siblings, “Halfway There,” has received a put pilot commitment from CBS....
“Clueless” Remake in the Works from Paramount
Cher Horowitz is about to make her off-Broadway debut and now the iconic virgin that can’t drive may be heading back to multiplexes. A “Clueless” remake is in early development at...
Sandra Luckow’s “That Way Madness Lies…” Acquired by First Run Features, Receives Release Date
“That Way Madness Lies…” sees award-winning filmmaker Sandra Luckow turning the camera on her own family. The doc about her brother’s struggles with mental health has been...
Trailer Watch: Natalie Portman Is a Pop Star in Crisis in “Vox Lux”
Natalie Portman won an Oscar for her portrayal of an unhinged ballerina in “Black Swan,” but her character in the 2010 psychological thriller seems well-adjusted in comparison to her take...
Trailer Watch: Alexandra Pelosi Travels to Middle America in “Outside the Bubble”
Alexandra Pelosi is bursting her own bubble. “I may live in liberal America, but I know that this is not the only America,” the director explains in a trailer for her upcoming HBO...
Marianna Palka’s Motherhood Comedy “Egg” Acquired by Gravitas Ventures
“Egg” is set to hatch in theaters come the new year. Gravitas Ventures acquired North American rights to Marianna Palka’s dark comedy about motherhood and is planning a January 18...
Bryce Dallas Howard Is Directing a Documentary About Dads
Bryce Dallas Howard has kicked off production on her feature directorial debut. The “Jurassic World” actress is helming “Dads,” a documentary about “what it means to be...
Trailer Watch: Sandra Bullock Faces Her Worst Fear in Susanne Bier’s “Bird Box”
Sandra Bullock takes her kids on the boat ride from hell in “Bird Box.” Directed by Oscar-winning Danish director Susanne Bier, the post-apocalyptic thriller sees Bullock playing Malorie,...
Quote of the Day: Paul Feig Calls Bullshit on Claim That There Are No Female Directors to Hire
Paul Feig’s filmography tells you a lot about the writer-director. He doesn’t shy away from female-led films. In fact, he’s built a career on making them: “Bridesmaids,”...
Trailer Watch: Harvey Weinstein Is Exposed in “The Reckoning: Hollywood’s Worst Kept Secret”
Harvey Weinstein used to be thanked more often than God at the Academy Awards. Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t mentioned in a single acceptance speech this year. A new trailer for “The...
Liz Brixius & Debra Martin Chase Have a Drama About LAPD Women Officers in Development at NBC
“Nurse Jackie” co-creator Liz Brixius and “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” producer Debra Martin Chase are teaming up to tell a story about BFFs with badges. The pair have...
Roxanne Benjamin to Pen “Night of the Comet” Remake for Orion
Roxanne Benjamin is bringing zombie horror-comedy “Night of the Comet” back to life. The “XX” and “Southbound” director is penning a reimagining of the cult...
Naomi Kawase to Direct Official Tokyo 2020 Olympics Film
No stranger to representing Japan on the world stage, Naomi Kawase has screened eight films at Cannes Film Festival. Now the Japanese filmmaker has been tapped to helm the official film of the...
Donna Gigliotti to Produce the Oscars
The Academy Awards has an Oscar-winning producer on board. Donna Gigliotti will produce the upcoming 91st Oscars, a press release has announced. A Best Picture winner for “Shakespeare in...
“Lost Gully Road” and “She is the Ocean” Among LA Femme International Film Festival Winners
This year’s LA Femme International Film Festival has come to a close. Focused on women filmmakers who create commercial films for a worldwide audience, the fest just wrapped its 14th...
Viola Davis Gets Candid About Stifling Her Voice, Time’s Up, and What’s Missing from Cinema
“I always say that one thing missing in cinema is that regular black woman,” observes Viola Davis in a new interview with The Guardian. “Not anyone didactic, or whose sole purpose in the...
Carol Morley’s Patricia Clarkson-Starrer “Out of Blue” Goes to IFC Films
Still reeling from Patricia Clarkson’s disturbing turn in “Sharp Objects”? The Oscar-nominated actress’ latest feature is another dark story involving murder and family...
Rome Film Festival Signs Gender Parity Pledge
Rome Film Festival has followed in the footsteps of fests such as Cannes, Venice, and TIFF by signing a gender parity pledge. Introduced at Cannes earlier this year, the Pledge is a way to hold...
“Halloween” Marks Biggest Debut for a Film with Female Lead Over 55
Jamie Lee Curtis battled Michael Myers and misconceptions about the box office this weekend. “Halloween” proved to be an irresistible treat to audiences, taking in $77.5 million in North...
Female-Led “Picture of Dorian Gray” Series Being Developed at The CW
An Oscar Wilde adaptation is in the works at The CW. The teen-centric network is developing a female-led series inspired by “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” Variety reports. Hailing from...
Hannah Marks to Direct “The Swimsuit Issue”
Hannah Marks’ feature directorial debut hit theaters less than a week ago and she just lined up her next gig. She’ll follow up “After Everything” with “The Swimsuit...
“Eighth Grade’s” Elsie Fisher Signs on to Musical “The Shaggs”
Elsie Fisher isn’t done making you cringe yet. After breaking out in the delightful and, at times, painfully awkward coming-of-age pic “Eighth Grade,” Fisher has booked a staring...
Heather Graham to Topline ABC Adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s “The Hypnotist’s Love Story”
Yet another novel from “Big Little Lies” author Liane Moriarty could be making its way to the screen. Following a “competitive situation,” ABC secured rights to an adaptation...
Jeannine Oppewall to Receive Art Directors’ Lifetime Achievement Award
With credits spanning over 30 years and four Oscar nominations under her belt, production designer Jeannine Oppewall has been named as the recipient of the Art Directors Guild Lifetime Achievement...
Melissa Miller Costanzo’s “All These Small Moments” Lands at Orion Classics
Melissa Miller Costanzo’s feature directorial debut has secured distribution. Orion Classics scooped up North American and Latin American rights to Jemima Kirke-starrer “All These Small...
Dortmund | Cologne International Women’s Film Fest Appoints Dr. Maxa Zoller as New Director
Dr. Maxa Zoller has been appointed as the new director of the Dortmund | Cologne International Women’s Film Festival, a press release announced. She’s succeeding Silke J. Räbiger, who...
IFP Gotham Award Nominations Include “The Rider,” “Skate Kitchen,” and “The Tale”
Nominations for the 28th IFP Gotham Awards have been announced. Five films are up for Best Feature at the 2018 edition of the ceremony, and two are helmed by women: Josephine Decker’s...
Sarah Chalke to Topline ABC Dramedy Based on Her Family
Best known for her role as Dr. Elliot Reid on “Scrubs,” Sarah Chalke is re-teaming with the creator of the medical comedy for a new project. Bill Lawrence is among the exec producers on...
Tia Mowry and Loretta Devine to Star in “Family Reunion” with 20-Episode Order from Netflix
Netflix will host a nostalgia-filled “Family Reunion.” The streamer just ordered 20-episodes of the multi-camera comedy starring “Sister, Sister’s” Tia Mowry and...
Agnès Varda, Robin Wright, and Melissa Leo Will Be Celebrated at Fests
French auteur Agnès Varda, “House of Cards” star and director Robin Wright, and Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo are all set to receive honors at upcoming fests. Varda and Wright will...