BY Laura Berger
London Film Fest’s Competition Lineup Is 50 Percent Women-Directed
Venice Film Festival is currently underway, and just one title screening in its Competition is directed by a woman. In contrast, the BFI London Film Festival just announced its 2018 Competition...
Quote of the Day: Guillermo del Toro Says Important Voices in the Biz Aren’t Being Heard
Guillermo del Toro is speaking out about the sexism plaguing the film industry. “I think the goal has to be 50-50 by 2020. If it’s 50-50 by 2019, that’s even better,” he said, referring...
Adina Pintilie’s Berlinale Winner “Touch Me Not” Snagged by Kino Lorber
“Touch Me Not” has secured North American distribution prior to its North American premiere at next month’s Toronto International Film Festival. Kino Lorber scored rights to the...
Trailer Watch: Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, & More Unite in “Tea with the Dames”
Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins, and Joan Plowright crack open champagne and spill the beans in a new trailer for “Tea with the Dames.” The upcoming documentary sees the legendary...
Quote of the Day: Amandla Stenberg on Refusing to Compromise Her Own Power
Amandla Stenberg broke out in 2012 with her supporting role in “The Hunger Games,” but the actress takes the lead in another dystopian YA adaptation in theaters now. She toplines Jennifer...
TIFF Names Joana Vicente as New Executive Director and Co-Head
The Toronto International Film Festival kicks off in just over a week, and the fest has announced major news in advance of its 2018 edition. A press release named Joana Vicente as the new Executive...
Trailer Watch: Rosamund Pike Is Addicted to War Zones in Marie Colvin Biopic “A Private War”
“War is not so terrible for governments, for they are not wounded or killed like ordinary people,” observes Rosamund Pike in the first trailer for “A Private War.” The biopic...
Cannes Winner “Girl” Is Belgium’s 2019 Foreign-Language Oscar Pick
“Girl” will be representing Belgium in the 2019 foreign-language Oscar race, Deadline confirms. The drama about a transgender teen took home the Camera d’Or at Cannes for best first...
Ava DuVernay to Premiere Short Film on OWN, Signs Open Letter About Hollywood’s Pay Gap
Ava DuVernay is set to premiere a new short film on OWN. The Oscar-nominated filmmaker will debut “August 28th: A Day in the Life of a People” on the network behind her TV series,...
Trailer Watch: Joey King Loses Her Grandma and Gains a Mission in Teen Pic “Summer ’03”
Joey King feels pressure to make her grandma’s dying wish a reality in a new trailer for “Summer ’03.” As she takes her final breath, Grandma (June Squibb,...
Trailer Watch: Nicole Holofcener Explores a Mid-Life Crisis in “The Land of Steady Habits”
Convinced that something needs to change, Anders Hill (Ben Mendelsohn) quits his job in finance, which he describes as a “system of monstrous greed.” He doesn’t need more toys or...
Michaela Coel to Star in and Write Drama About Sexual Consent for BBC
Best known for “Chewing Gum,” an E4 comedy about a religious and reluctant virgin, Michaela Coel is set to tell another story with sexuality at the forefront, though this one more...
Trailer Watch: Dakota Johnson Makes a Deal with the Devil in “Suspiria”
“At the beginning she gave me things. Perfect balance. Perfect sleep. Now she wants to get inside of me. I can feel her. She can see me,” says Chloë Grace Moretz in a new trailer for...
Amma Asante’s “Where Hands Touch” Acquired by Vertical
Amma Asante’s latest has secured distribution in advance of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Deadline reports that Vertical Entertainment snagged North American...
Tiffany Haddish Lines Up Netflix Stand-Up Special
Hot off her appearance at the MTV’s Video Music Awards comes word that Tiffany Haddish is getting an hour-long stand-up comedy special on Netflix. A press release announced that the...
Natalie Portman to Direct and Star as Twins in Pic About Ann Landers and Dear Abby Advice Columns
As an Oscar-winning actress with more than 20 years of experience in the industry and a directing credit under her belt, Natalie Portman has no doubt been asked for plenty of advice. She’s set...
Lillian Yu Sells Chinese Holiday-Themed Rom-Com Spec to New Line
Inclusivity sells. The success of “Crazy Rich Asians” has proven — yet again — that audiences aren’t only interested in stories about white men. The industry is taking...
Julianne Moore-Starrer “Gloria Bell” Goes to A24
“Gloria Bell” won’t be introduced to audiences for a few weeks, but she’s already found fans in A24. The company acquired U.S. rights to the Julianne Moore-starrer in advance...
Trailer Watch: An Actress and Activist Explores Her Roots in “Jane Fonda in Five Acts”
“This is the beginning of my last act. In order to know how to go forward, I’m going to have to know where I’ve been,” says Jane Fonda in the first trailer for “Jane...
“GLOW” Renewed for Season 3
The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling are heading to Sin City. Netflix has finally renewed “GLOW” for a third season, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Season 2’s finale concluded with...
Niecy Nash Late-Night Pilot Ordered by TNT
Wish you could spend more time hanging out with Desna at Nail Artisans? If “Claws” leaves you wanting more Niecy Nash, you’re in luck. The cabler behind the nail salon dramedy just...
Faye Ward’s Fable Pictures to Bring “Chocolate Wars” to TV, Smita Bhide Penning the Script
Get your candy bars ready: the story of the most delicious-sounding battle ever could be heading to the small screen. Faye Ward’s Fable Pictures has optioned Deborah Cadbury’s “The...
Rungano Nyoni’s “I Am Not a Witch” Is UK’s 2019 Foreign-Language Oscar Pick
“I Am Not a Witch” may be heading to the Academy Awards. Rungano Nyoni’s debut feature has been named as the UK’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2019 Oscars,...
“Nashville” EPs Meredith Lavender & Marcie Ulin Have a New Music Drama in Development at NBC
Former “Nashville” scribes are working on bringing another story about a female musician to the small screen. Meredith Lavender and Marcie Ulin’s pitch for a one-hour drama scored a...
Sarah Jessica Parker-Starrer “Here and Now” Acquired
Sarah Jessica Parker’s showing off her vocal chops in “Here And Now.” The “Sex and the City” alumna plays a singer-songwriter in the pic, which just secured...
Writer to Watch: “Sierra Burgess Is a Loser” Scribe Lindsey Beer
“Sierra Burgess Is A Loser” will mark Lindsey Beer’s first screenwriting credit. Set to debut on Netflix in September, the teen comedy stars “Strangers Things'” Shannon...
Jenny Bicks Inks Overall Deal with Lionsgate TV
Jenny Bicks has signed an overall deal with Lionsgate TV, Deadline reports. The new pact sees the Emmy winner developing and producing original series for the studio. Perhaps best known for her work...
“Anne With an E” Returning for a Third Season
Get ready to hear Anne spin another yarn. Prince Edward Island’s most beloved fictional resident is sticking around the small screen. Netflix and Canadian broadcaster CBC have renewed...
Quote of the Day: “Crazy Rich Asians'” Awkwafina on the Power of Representation
“Representation starts both in front of and behind the camera,” Awkwafina tells Variety in a new interview. Asked what the industry can do to make improvements in representing Asians...
Trailer Watch: Mary Elizabeth Winstead Is a Stand-Up With a Complicated Past in “All About Nina”
Mary Elizabeth Winstead takes center stage in a new trailer for “All About Nina.” The critically acclaimed dark comedy sees the “Fargo” alumna playing a stand-up comic....
Trailer Watch: Viola Davis Plots a Heist in “Widows”
Viola Davis is left cleaning up her husband’s mess in a new trailer for “Widows.” Her late love died during a job turned bad, and now it’s up to her to figure out how to pay...
Orion Classics Acquires SXSW Winner “Jinn”
Orion Classics has snagged the North American and Latin American rights to Nijla Mu’min’s feature directorial debut. Deadline reports that the award-winning mother-daughter drama will open in...
TIFF Adds More Galas and Special Presentations: Pics from Sam Taylor-Johnson, Veena Sud, & More
The Toronto International Film Festival has added more titles to its most high profile slates. Of four galas added, one is woman-directed: Veena Sud’s “The Lie.” Starring Mireille...
Trailer Watch: Taraji P. Henson Is a Mind Reader in “What Men Want”
Just as she announces that it’s “time to break that glass ceiling,” Taraji P. Henson finds herself stuck beneath the impenetrable-seeming wall blocking women in the workplace. A...
Quotes of the Day: Sarah Paulson and Sandra Oh Reflect on How Roles for Women Have Changed
Sarah Paulson and Sandra Oh joined forces to talk about how far Hollywood has come — and how far it has to go — for a feature in Variety. Both are up for an Emmy Award this year —...
Trailer Watch: Netflix Doc “City of Joy” Turns the Camera on Women in the Eastern Congo
“We had no experience with war. When we first heard the word rape we didn’t know what it was,” says one of the characters at the center of “City of Joy.” The upcoming...
Filming Kicks Off on Niki Caro’s “Mulan”
Production has officially kicked off on Disney’s live-action “Mulan.” A press release announced the news. Set to shoot in New Zealand and China, the story about a Chinese warrior...
Quote of the Day: Oscar-Nominated DP Rachel Morrison on Working While Pregnant
“There’s a common misconception that likens pregnancy to some kind of disability — the idea that women who are pregnant shouldn’t be active and can’t go about their normal lives,”...
Dominga Sotomayor Wins Leopard for Best Direction at Locarno 2018
The 2018 edition of the Locarno Film Festival has come to a close. The Switzerland-based fest committed to major change this year: President Marco Solari and Vice President Carla Speziali signed the...
Guest Post: “Crazy Rich Asians” and Sandra Oh’s Emmy Nod Are Major Milestones for Asian-Americans
Guest Post by Kathy Huynh-Phan It’s been a month since Emmy nominations were announced, and I’m still reeling. Sandra Oh received a nod for her role as Eve Polastri in “Killing...
Teaser Watch: “Chewing Gum’s” Michaela Coel Confronts War Crimes in “Black Earth Rising”
“Chewing Gum” creator and star Michaela Coel is showing off her dramatic chops in a new teaser for “Black Earth Rising.” The eight-part BBC Two series sees the BAFTA winner...
Exclusive: Teens Bond During Cancer Treatment in “Hope Springs Eternal” Clip
Hope Gracin (Mia Rose Frampton, “Tammy”) has terminal cancer, but her diagnosis hasn’t impacted her love of treats or the limelight. Our exclusive clip of “Hope Springs...
Trailer Watch: Maggie Gyllenhaal Loses Her Grip in “The Kindergarten Teacher”
“Talent is so fragile. It’s so rare, and our culture does everything to crush it,” says Maggie Gyllenhaal in the first trailer for Sara Colangelo’s “The Kindergarten...
Archie Panjabi Legal Drama Lands at NBC
It’s been years since Archie Panjabi left Lockhart/Gardner behind, but she’s returning to the legal biz. The Emmy-winning “Good Wife” alumna will topline...
Quote of the Day: Nicole Maines on Playing TV’s First Trans Superhero in “Supergirl”
“I haven’t really wrapped my head around being a superhero, first of all, and being the first trans superhero on television,” Nicole Maines tells Variety in a new interview. The...
TIFF Announces Platform Program: Karyn Kusama, Carol Morley, & More
Nicole Kidman and Patricia Clarkson are bringing law and order to the Toronto International Film Festival. Both play detectives in films set to screen at TIFF. The fest just announced its Platform...
NYFF Announces Main Slate and It’s 13 Percent Women-Directed
We’re hoping the New York Film Festival (NYFF) follows in the footsteps of Cannes and Locarno and signs a gender parity pledge. The fest just announced its main slate, and it’s sorely...
Jennifer Lopez to Star in Lorene Scafaria’s “Hustlers”
Jenny from the Block is taking on the wolves of Wall Street. Variety confirms that Jennifer Lopez will topline “Hustlers,” a pic inspired by Jessica Pressler’s New York Magazine...
Gal Gadot to Portray Hedy Lamarr in Showtime Series from Sarah Treem
Gal Gadot may play a real-life Wonder Woman. The box office heroine is reportedly near a deal to topline and executive produce a Showtime series about Hedy Lamarr. Best known for acting in titles...
Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga Will Topline Rebecca Hall’s Directorial Debut
Rebecca Hall is re-teaming with her “Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” director Angela Robinson. The Golden Globe-nominated actress is set to make her directorial debut with...
“Supergirl” Movie in Development
Supergirl is already saving lives on the small screen, but it looks like Kara Zor-El will be flying all the way to multiplexes around the world. Warner Bros. and DC are developing a feature based on...