BY Laura Berger
Ursula Meier to Make English-Language Debut with “Quiet Land”
Ursula Meier is making a major mark at this year’s Locarno Film Festival. The fest just signed a gender parity pledge for which she’s credited as the Godmother, and now word comes that...
Sarah Gavron Filming Drama About Multi-Cultural Schoolgirls in London
“Suffragette” helmer Sarah Gavron is taking on another female-led story. The British filmmaker just kicked off principal photography for a drama about a British-Nigerian girl. Currently...
Trailer Watch: #Female Pleasure Follows the Global Struggle for Sexual Liberation
Described as a “plea for the liberation of female sexuality in the 21st century,” “#Female Pleasure” tells the story of five women around the world fighting “for a...
“Never Goin’ Back” Writer-Director Augustine Frizzell on Her Love Letter to Female Friendship
“Never Goin’ Back” is a teen comedy, but not kind we’re used to seeing. Augustine Frizzell’s directorial debut doesn’t tell the familiar story of college-bound...
HBO Developing Series Based on Colleen Scriven’s “Lesser Gods”
HBO is developing another project based on a podcast. The premium cable network has already taken Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson’s “2 Dope Queens” to the screen, and now...
Trailer Watch: Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart Find Love and an Ax in “Lizzie”
“This is America, sir. Every man with a pulse has enemies,” says Chloë Sevigny in the first trailer for “Lizzie.” The drama is based on Lizzie Borden, who has been...
Julia Ormond to Star in BBC One’s “Gold Digger”
Julia Ormond has nabbed the lead role in”Gold Digger,” a six-part drama for BBC One. Deadline confirmed the news. The Emmy winner will play a woman whose relationship with a much younger...
Trailer Watch: Sanaa Lathan Ditches Her Weave in “Nappily Ever After”
“Ever since I was a kid, my hair was everything. I had to be fixed. Only then was I perfect,” explains Sanaa Lathan (“The Affair”) in a new trailer for Haifaa...
Aidy Bryant-Starrer “Shrill” Ordered to Series at Hulu
Hulu is taking notes from a loud woman. Variety reports that the streamer has given a six-episode series order to an adaptation of Lindy West’s 2016 memoir. Titled “Shrill: Notes from a...
Abigail Disney’s Fork Films Announces $625,000 in Grant Funding to Docs
Fork Films is at it again. Abigail Disney’s company announced that it has provided $625,000 in grant funding to 16 new documentaries “that align with the company’s dedication to...
Nicole Kidman Joins Charlize Theron in Fox News Movie, Margot Robbie in Talks
Annapurna’s “Fair and Balanced” is assembling a hell of a cast. The timely Annapurna pic is inspired by the women who took down Fox News mogul and sexual harasser Roger...
LA Film Fest’s Major Feature Competition Lineups Are Over 50 Percent Women-Directed
Film Independent’s LA Film Festival (LAFF) has announced its first batch of lineups, and the programs are cause for celebration. Of 24 features screening in major competition categories, 14 are...
Marvel Exec Victoria Alonso Will Be Honored by the HPA
Victoria Alonso is set to receive the Hollywood Professional Association’s (HPA) Charles S. Swartz Award, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The producer and executive vp of production at Marvel...
Erin Cressida Wilson to Pen “Indecent Proposal” Remake
“The Girl on the Train” screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson has boarded a new project. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she’s signed on to pen a remake of “Indecent...
TIFF Announces Sisters March to Spotlight “Systemic Inequality”
The Toronto International Film Festival is rallying the troops. The fest announced that a rally will be held during its upcoming 43rd edition, a sisters march intended to spotlight “systemic...
Locarno Fest to Sign Pledge for Parity and Inclusion
Locarno Festival is committing to change. A press release from the Switzerland-based fest announced that President Marco Solari and Vice President Carla Speziali will sign the Programming Pledge for...
Research: Hollywood Inclusion “Remains Unchanged”
“The rhetoric in Hollywood may be changing when it comes to inclusion, but the numbers are not,” according to a press release announcing the findings of a new study. The report hails...
HBO Acquires Rights to “At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal”
HBO has snagged the worldwide rights to Erin Lee Carr’s “At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal.” The premium cable network announced the news in a press release,...
Netflix Orders “Madam C.J. Walker,” Octavia Spencer to Star in the Limited Series
“Madam C.J. Walker” is headed to Netflix. The long-brewing Octavia Spencer limited series has received an eight-episode order from the streamer, Deadline confirms. The Oscar winner was...
Salma Hayek to Be Honored with Franca Sozzani Award at Venice Film Fest
Salma Hayek is set to receive an award for her work on and off the screen. The Oscar-nominated actress will be honored with the Franca Sozzani Award at Venice International Film Festival, WWD...
Julianna Margulies to Topline National Geographic Ebola Drama
Julianna Margulies is going from lawyer to magazine editor to scientist. The “Good Wife” alumna and current “Dietland” star has signed on to topline a scripted Ebola drama...
“Picnic at Hanging Rock” Showrunner Larysa Kondracki Inks First-Look Deal at Amazon
Larysa Kondracki is taking a big step in her relationship with Amazon Studios, Deadline reports. After serving as showrunner on Amazon’s “Picnic at Hanging Rock” and helming three...
“Killing Eve” Gets a New Lead Writer and Women Directors
Stars Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer are returning for Season 2 of “Killing Eve,” but a major shakeup is in the works behind the scenes of the spy thriller. Creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge is...
Teaser Watch: Jennifer Garner Heads to the Wilderness in “Camping”
As Sydney Bristow, Jennifer Garner defied death at every turn and pulled off dozens of elaborate undercover operations. The “Alias” actress is returning to TV, but her character on...
Mélanie Laurent’s “Galveston” Acquired by RLJE Films
Mélanie Laurent’s English-language directing debut has found a home. A press release announced that RLJE Films acquired all U.S. rights to Elle Fanning-starrer “Galveston” with a...
Trailer Watch: “Love, Gilda” Tells the Story of Comedy Legend Gilda Radner
“There was so much in the world that had yet to be carved out for women,” says Amy Poehler in a new trailer for “Love, Gilda.” The “Parks and Rec” alumna is...
HBO Releases Remaining Doc Slate for 2018: Jane Fonda, Sandra Bland, & More
HBO has announced its documentary lineup for the second half of 2018, and seven of the 12 films are women-directed or co-directed. Among the first to air will be “Jane Fonda in Five...
Augustine Frizzell to Direct Ryan Reynolds-Starrer “Stoned Alone”
Augustine Frizzell is taking audiences on another drug-fueled adventure. The “Never Goin’ Back” writer-director has signed on to helm “Stoned Alone” for Fox, an R-rated...
Gina Prince-Bythewood to Direct Fantasy Film “The Old Guard”
Gina Prince-Bythewood is taking on another comic adaptation. Already signed on to helm “Silver & Black” based on Marvel characters Silver Sable and Black Cat, the director has been tapped to...
NBC Announces First Female Forward Directors Class
NBC has announced its inaugural class for Female Forward, the network’s annual initiative launched with the aim of giving female directors a pipeline into scripted television. Founded last year by...
Amazon Orders Drama About a Female-Led ’70s Rock Band from Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon has yet another project in development. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon just ordered 13 episodes of “Daisy Chain & the Six,” a ’70s-set drama about a rock...
Teaser Watch: Elle Fanning Survives the Apocalypse in Reed Morano’s “I Think We’re Alone Now”
“Weren’t you lonely?” Elle Fanning asks “Game of Thrones'” Peter Dinklage in a NSFW teaser for “I Think We’re Alone Now.” The unlikely pair are living...
Lena Waithe Signs First-Look Deal with Showtime
Lena Waithe is taking her relationship with Showtime to the next level. The Emmy winner has signed a new first-look deal with the network, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Showtime announced that...
Zoey Deutch to Topline and Produce Tanya Wexler’s “Buffaloed”
Zoey Deutch is getting into the debt collecting business. Deadline reports that the “Set It Up” actress just kicked off production on “Buffaloed,” a dark comedy about a debt...
Vanessa Redgrave to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Venice Film Fest
Vanessa Redgrave is set to receive a major honor from the Venice Film Festival. The British actress will be awarded with its Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, Variety confirms. In a statement...
TIFF 2018’s Galas and Special Presentations Are 28 Percent Women-Directed
Claire Denis, Nicole Holofcener, and Amma Asante are heading to the Great White North. The directors’ latest films are making their world premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival...
Elisabeth Shue-Starrer and Female-Led Boxing Drama Ordered to Pilot at TNT
TNT has ordered its first drama pilots of 2018, and both are women-centric. The network is developing Elisabeth Shue-led “Constance,” a portrait of a former beauty queen turned small...
Trailer Watch: Hilary Swank Returns Home to Help an Ailing Blythe Danner in “What They Had”
“She’s going to forget everything,” says Hilary Swank in a new trailer for “What They Had.” Bridget (Swank) has returned home to Chicago to help navigate a family...
Shondaland Announces First Slate of Netflix Series
Shondaland’s massive empire continues to grow. Netflix has announced the first slate of series being developed by TV titans Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers and their Shondaland team....
Nicole Maines Joins “Supergirl,” Becomes TV’s First Trans Superhero
“Supergirl” is soaring into the history books. The CW series has cast Nicole Maines in its upcoming fourth season, where she’ll play TV’s first transgender superhero. The...
Trailer Watch: M.I.A. Shows Her Story in “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A”
“You want to hear my story? I’m going to show you my story,” says M.I.A. in the first trailer for “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.” The Sundance-winning doc features...
Melina Matsoukas to Direct “Queen & Slim,” Lena Waithe Penning the Script
Melina Matsoukas has yet another project in the works. Best known for directing Issa Rae-starrer “Insecure” and Beyoncé’s “Formation” video, the rising star will...
Trailer Watch: Debby Ryan Is a “Former Fatty” with an Axe to Grind in “Insatiable”
“Fatty Patty” is ready for revenge in a new trailer for “Insatiable.” “When my classmates were out losing their virginity, I was at home stuffing another hole,”...
Writer to Watch: “Atlanta” Emmy Nominee Stefani Robinson
Stefani Robinson just scored her first Emmy nomination. The 26-year-old “Atlanta” scribe is up for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the Donald Glover starrer. The episode that...
Trailer Watch: Jennifer Lopez Fakes It Till She Makes It in “Second Act”
“I just wish we lived in a world where street smarts equal book smarts,” says Jennifer Lopez in a new trailer for “Second Act.” The comedy sees the Golden Globe nominee...
Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Quincy Jones Working on Doc About the History of Black Hollywood
Former Academy prez Cheryl Boone Isaacs and music legend Quincy Jones are teaming up to share an important part of Hollywood history. The two are working on “American Film: The Black...
Trailer Watch: A Girl Chooses Between Being a Witch and a Goat in “I Am Not a Witch”
A U.S. trailer has arrived for Rungano Nyoni’s award-winning feature debut, “I Am Not a Witch.” The drama follows Shula (Margaret Mulubwa), an eight-year-old girl who shows up...
Apply Now: The Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship
Aspiring screenwriters, take note: The Black List and “Mudbound” producer Cassian Elwes are teaming up for the sixth year in a row for the The Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting...
Melissa London Hilfers to Pen “Jagged Edge” Remake Starring Halle Berry
Sony Pictures has tapped Melissa London Hilfers to write their “Jagged Edge” remake, Deadline confirms. Halle Berry is signed on to star as the heroine lawyer at the center of the...
Kate Winslet, Diane Keaton, and Mia Wasikowska Will Topline “Silent Heart” Remake “Blackbird”
Three generations of award-winning actresses are teaming up. Kate Winslet, Diane Keaton, and Mia Wasikowska are signed on to star in “Blackbird,” an English-language remake of 2014...
Isabel Coixet Has a Drama About Spain’s First Lesbian Marriage On the Way
In just over a month “The Bookshop” hits U.S. theaters, but writer-director Isabel Coixet is already well on her way to completing her follow-up project. The Spanish filmmaker is...