BY Laura Berger
Trailer Watch: Barbara Loden Leaves Her Domestic Prison Behind in “Wanda”
“Wanda” is back. The influential 1970 portrait of a housewife experiencing an existential crisis has been newly restored and will return to theaters in a limited run. Written, directed,...
Emma Thompson and Paul Feig Team Up for Christmas Romance
In what sounds like a creative match made in heaven, Emma Thompson and Paul Feig are joining forces. Universal Pictures has acquired a script from the Oscar-winning actress and writer and Feig is...
Trailer Watch: The Lines Between Reality and Art Blur in “Madeline’s Madeline”
“’Madeline’s Madeline’ is about a young woman whose interior life is so big and glorious that it can eat anyone,” writer-director Josephine Decker told us before the...
“L.A.’s Finest” Officially Ordered to Series By Charter Communications
Following a roller coaster development ride, “L.A.’s Finest” has been ordered to series. Charter Communications gave a 13-episode straight-to-series order to the “Bad...
Watch: Rashida Jones Directs #TimesUp Anti-Harassment PSA
“Has the current wave of sexual allegations left you scared, confused, maybe a little angry?” asks “Atlanta” star and creator Donald Glover in a new PSA for #TimesUp....
YouTube Premium Orders Comedy About the Birth of a Female Friendship
A platonic love story is headed to YouTube Premium. Variety reports that the streaming service snagged a half-hour comedy series from AwesomenessTV that charts the birth of a female...
Choreographer Gillian Lynne Gets Theater Named in Her Honor, Makes History
Gillian Lynne just made history in style. The choreographer has become the first woman to have a theater named after her in the West End, The Guardian reports. In truly theatrical fashion, she was...
Kirsten Dunst-Led “On Becoming a God in Central Florida” Lands Series Order from YouTube Premium
Kirsten Dunst is officially returning to the small screen. She’ll follow up her Emmy-nominated role in FX’s “Fargo” with “On Becoming a God in Central Florida,” a...
Rebel Wilson to Star in and Produce Adaptation of “Black Mirror”-esque Comic “Crowded”
Fat Amy is embarking on a life-or-death mission. Rebel Wilson has optioned the rights to “Crowded,” an upcoming Image Comics book, with plans to develop and produce the project. The...
Emma Dumont to Topline “Razor” Adaptation
Emma Dumont is about to gain a whole new set of superpowers. Best known for playing Polaris on Fox’s “X-Men”-inspired series “The Gifted,” the actress has signed on to...
Trailer Watch: Teresa Palmer Unlocks the Magic in Her Blood in “A Discovery of Witches”
“Once the world was full of wonders. But it belongs to humans now,” a 1,500 year-old vampire explains in a new trailer for “A Discovery of Witches.” “We have all but...
MoMA Series to Highlight Emerging Women Directors
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is working toward “a brighter, more inclusive future in which cinema can more accurately reflect the world around us,” according to a press release. With...
Lifetime Orders Three Movies Based on Jane Green Novels, Kim Raver to Co-Direct the First
Lifetime is partnering up with Jane Green. The author of 17 New York Times best-sellers, Green has been published in over 30 languages around the world. Looking to capitalize on that popularity,...
Laura Dern and Jayme Lemons’ Jaywalker Signs First-Look Deal with Platform One Media
Laura Dern is following in the footsteps of her “Big Little Lies” co-star Nicole Kidman. Dern and Jayme Lemons’ Jaywalker Pictures has signed a first-look deal with Platform One Media,...
Céline Sciamma Will Start Shooting Her Next Film This Fall
Céline Sciamma’s fourth feature is in the works. The French filmmaker will follow up “Girlhood” with “Portrait de la jeune fille en feu,” which roughly translates to...
Research: New DGA Study Shows Lack of Opportunity for Women and Minority Feature Directors
“From the largest studio tent poles to the smallest indie films, diversity among feature film directors remained low in 2017,” a press release announcing the findings of a comprehensive...
Angie Wang’s “MDMA” Acquired by Shout! Studios
Shout! Studios has snagged North American rights to MDMA, Angie Wang’s semi-autobiographical crime drama. Variety broke the news. Set in 1984, the pic tells the story of a student (Annie Q.,...
Trailer Watch: A Girl Finds Her Crew in Crystal Moselle’s “Skate Kitchen”
“For a while I was feeling really lonely — that loneliness that you have even in a crowded room. But I don’t feel it anymore,” says Camille (newcomer Rachelle Vinberg) in a...
Trailer Watch: A Teen’s Love Letters Are Leaked in “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”
Meet Lara Jean, the teen at the center of Susan Johnson’s “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” When she gets super intense crushes, the high schooler writes letters to the...
Jane Fonda to Be Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award at Michael Moore’s Fest
Jane Fonda is set to collect yet another trophy. The “Grace and Frankie” star will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival, a press...
“Coroner” Adaptation Coming to CBC, Serinda Swan Will Star
Jenny Cooper is coming to TV, and “Inhumans” alumna Serinda Swan will play her. Deadline reports that Swan will topline CBC’s adaptation of M.R. Hall’s best-selling book series...
Apple Orders Immigrant Anthology Series Co-Created by Emily V. Gordon
Emily V. Gordon has booked another gig. Apple just ordered a timely half-hour anthology series inspired by immigrant stories co-written by “The Big Sick” scribe, Deadline reports....
Trailer Watch: A Peasant Travels Through Time in Alice Rohrwacher’s “Happy as Lazzaro”
A newly released trailer for Alice Rohrwacher’s Cannes winner “Happy as Lazzaro” begins and ends with the titular character’s name being whispered. This odd intro and book-end...
Jennifer Lee Named Head of Walt Disney Animation
Disney is getting a much-needed revamp. Jennifer Lee has officially been named chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Deadline confirms. The news comes following the announcement...
U.S. Rights to Judy Davis-Starrer “Mystery Road” Snagged by Acorn TV
“Mystery Road” is headed stateside thanks to Acorn TV. The SVOD service has acquired U.S. rights to the Australian drama, Deadline confirms. The Judy Davis-starrer is scheduled to air in...
Netflix Orders Female-Led Heroin Drama “Hache”
Netflix has another Spanish-language original series on the way, Variety confirms. Created and written by Verónica Fernández, “Hache” is drug thriller based on real events and takes...
Lena Waithe to Participate in Keynote Conversation at Essence Fest 2018
Fresh off her Trailblazer Award win at last night’s MTV Movie & TV Awards comes word that Lena Waithe will participate in a keynote conversation at the 2018 Essence Festival. The...
Trailer Watch: Tiffany Haddish Vows to Catch a Catfisher in “Nobody’s Fool”
Tiffany Haddish made history last night as the first black woman to host the MTV Movie Awards. She also took home the trophy for Best Comedic Performance at the event. Now the “Girls...
Sundance Now Snags University-Set Psychological Thriller “Cheat”
Sundance Now has become the U.S. partner for “Cheat,” an upcoming psychological thriller from British network ITV. Deadline reports that the SVOD platform will bring the four-part series...
Trailer Watch: A Teen Avenges Her Mother’s Death in Sundance Winner “Night Comes On”
A trailer has landed for “Night Comes On,” Jordana Spiro’s award-winning feature debut about a 17-year-old on a mission. Recently released from juvenile detention, Angel (Dominique...
Heather Graham to Topline Aisling Chin-Yee’s Family Dramedy “The Rest of Us”
Babe Nation Creation’s first feature has begun filming, Deadline confirms. The female-driven production company is behind “The Rest of Us,” Aisling Chin-Yee’s directorial debut....
Trailer Watch: Kristen Bell and Kelsey Grammer Go on a Cruise in “Like Father”
Kristen Bell takes to the sea with unexpected company in a new trailer for Lauren Miller Rogen’s “Like Father.” She and her fiancé planned to go on a cruise to celebrate their...
Oprah Winfrey Signs Content Deal with Apple
Apple has secured another major talent. Reese Witherspoon has a number of projects in development with the streamer, and now the company has snagged a deal with none other than her “Wrinkle...
Weekly Update for June 15: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING THIS WEEK The Year of Spectacular Men – Directed by Lea Thompson; Written by Madelyn Deutch “The Year of Spectacular Men” follows...
Alicia Keys Announces Initiative for Female Advancement in the Record Biz
The “Girl on Fire” is looking to elevate and empower other women in the music industry. Alicia Keys has revealed that she’s working on a new initiative to “further female...
Tribeca Winner “Little Woods” Lands Distribution, Tessa Thompson and Lily James Star
Nia DaCosta’s feature directorial debut has secured North American distribution. Neon acquired the rights to the Tribeca winner, The Hollywood Reporter confirms.Tessa Thompson and Lily James...
Nicole Kidman Signs First-Look Deal with Amazon Studios
Nicole Kidman has inked a first-look deal with Amazon Studios, Deadline confirms. The pact sees the Oscar winner’s Blossom Films developing original series that will be available exclusively on...
Pinar Toprak Will Score “Captain Marvel,” Marking a Major Milestone
Pinar Toprak is about to make history alongside Brie Larson and Anna Boden. “Captain Marvel” marks Marvel’s first female-centric release, with Oscar-winning “Room” star...
Hilde Lysiak-Inspired Mystery Gets Series Order at Apple
A real-life Nancy Drew story is coming to Apple. The streamer has given a 10-episode straight-to-series order to a project inspired by Hilde Lysiak, a pre-teen investigative reporter, The Hollywood...
Sally Potter to Be Honored with FIPRESCI 93 Platinum Award
Sally Potter will receive the FIPRESCI 93 Platinum award at the Transatlantyk Festival, ScreenDaily confirms. The Polish fest will also screen five of the British writer-director’s films in its...
Quotes of the Day: Frances McDormand and Brie Larson on the Importance of Inclusion
“I’m here to take responsibility for my actions and restate a call to action,” said Frances McDormand as she took the stage at Women in Film’s Crystal + Lucy Awards. “I have this...
“The Girlfriend Experience” Co-Creator Amy Seimetz Signs Overall Deal with FX
Hot off directing two episodes of “Atlanta’s” sophomore season, Amy Seimetz has signed an overall deal with the company behind the acclaimed Donald Glover-starrer. According to...
Deborah S. Esquenazi Launches Production Company, Adapting LGBTQ Doc “Southwest of Salem” for TV
“Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four” director Deborah S. Esquenazi “is set to demystify stories and myths about women of color and LGBTQ individuals with her...
Annecy Animation Film Festival Signs 5050×2020 Pledge
Last month Thierry Frémaux sparked international headlines when he signed a pledge for gender parity at Cannes Film Festival. The head of the fest, along with with his colleagues at the...
Sony Buys Two Scripts from “Cristela” Alumna Emilia Serrano
A rising star in TV, Emilia Serrano is poised to make her mark on the big screen. The Latina writer just sold two scripts to Sony, Variety reports. The feature comedies are being developed by...
Abby Elliott and The Reductress Join Forces for Late-Night Talk Show at Comedy Central
“Saturday Night Live” alumna Abby Elliott is teaming up with Reductress co-creators Beth Newell and Sarah Pappalardo. Comedy Central has ordered a pilot for “The Reductress...
TIFFxInstagram Shorts Festival Announces All-Female Jury and New Share Her Journey Prize
TIFFxInstagram Shorts Festival has announced its 2018 jurors, and they’re all women. Now in its third year, the Toronto International Film Festival’s “tiniest film festival”...
Jane Fonda to Be Honored with France’s Lumière Award
Oscar-winning actress, activist, and fitness icon Jane Fonda can add Lumière Award recipient to her stacked résumé. France’s Institut Lumière will recognize the “Grace and Frankie”...
Exclusive: Shirley Henderson Is Grieving but Hopeful in “Never Steady, Never Still” Trailer
“I’m full of memories. I’m full of regrets. I’m full of hope,” says Shirley Henderson in an exclusive new trailer for “Never Steady, Never Still.” The...
Alanna Thompson Swingers Comedy in Development at Showtime
Actress-writer Alanna Thompson has a new comedy in development at Showtime. Currently untitled, the half-hour project is created by Thompson and “focuses on relationships from three...
Trailer Watch: Alison Brie Steps Back into the Ring in “GLOW” Season 2
Zoya the Destroyer, Liberty Belle, Machu Picchu, Welfare Queen, and your other faves are returning to the ring. A trailer has dropped for “GLOW’s” second season, and it sees the...