BY Laura Berger
Beyond the Bechdel Test: New Ways of Measuring Hollywood’s Gender Imbalance
The Bechdel Test is a useful but limited tool, a fact many have recognized for years. Created by cartoonist Alison Bechdel and her friend Liz Wallace, the test is often used to determine whether or...
Quote of the Day: Jessica Chastain Says “We All Need to Acknowledge & Blow Up This Cycle of Abuse”
Eminently quotable Jessica Chastain is back at it again. The two-time Oscar nominee is speaking out about Hollywood’s toxic culture in a new interview with Time, and, as always, she’s offering...
Trailer Watch: Heather Graham Says Goodbye to Jerks in Directorial Debut “Half Magic”
“I want to have hot sex with someone who’s really nice to me,” says Heather Graham in a new trailer for her directorial debut, “Half Magic.” She stars as Honey, a woman who is sick of...
Trailer Watch: Lily James Plays a Young Meryl Streep in “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”
It’s time to head back to Kalokairi, and all the singing, dancing, and stunning scenery that made audiences fall in love with the Greek island in “Mamma Mia!” A trailer for the 2008 film’s...
Eliza Hittman and Penny Lane Receive Grants from Rooftop Films
“Beach Rats” writer-director Eliza Hittman and “Nuts!” helmer Penny Lane both have something to celebrate. They’ve scored grants from non-profit org Rooftop Films, Variety reports. The...
Trailer Watch: “Grace and Frankie” Welcomes Lisa Kudrow in Season 4
Grace and Frankie are back, and so are their sex toys. A trailer has dropped for Season 4 of “Grace and Frankie,” and it sees the BFFs getting into some trouble at a college campus. A security...
Margot Robbie to Produce Female-Led Wall Street Series from Kat Blasband Page
2013’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” marked Margot Robbie’s breakout role. Now the “I, Tonya” star and producer is returning to the infamous business hub, but this time, she’ll be working...
141 Original Scores Are in the 2017 Oscar Race, and Just 6 of Them Are By Women
The most iconic night in the industry is almost upon us. The Academy Awards take place March 4, and nominations won’t be announced until January 23, but we’re gradually learning more and more...
HBO Documentary President Sheila Nevins Is Stepping Down
After nearly four decades of making HBO her home, Sheila Nevins is moving on. The President of HBO Documentary Films revealed the big news in an interview with The New York Times. As an executive...
Trailer Watch: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are Back in Vanessa Caswill’s “Little Women”
“Four small children is a recipe for heartache, headache, and indigestion,” says a mighty critical Aunt March (Angela Lansbury) in the first trailer for “Little Women.” But anyone familiar...
Colette Burson on Showing a Different Side of the South in “Permanent”
Colette Burson co-created and executive produced HBO’s Golden Globe-nominated series “Hung.” She helmed several episodes of the show. Her other directing credits include short “Little Black...
“Awkward” Creator Lauren Iungerich Has a New Comedy Series in the Works at Netflix
“Awkward” creator Lauren Iungerich is set to deliver another coming-of-age comedy. Deadline reports that Netflix has ordered 10 episodes of a new half-hour series she co-created titled “On My...
“Step” Helmer Amanda Lipitz to Direct English-Language Remake of “Instructions Not Included”
Amanda Lipitz directed one of our favorite documentaries released this year, and now she’s set to make her narrative directorial debut. The “Step” helmer has signed on to bring an...
Jennifer Morrison’s Directorial Debut “Sun Dogs” Goes to Netflix
“Once Upon a Time” star Jennifer Morrison has found a home for her feature directorial debut. Deadline reports that Netflix snagged the rights to “Sun Dogs,” a drama about a man who is...
Tina Fey to Receive Comedy Honor from WGA East
Tina Fey is high fiving a million angels. She and Robert Carlock are set to receive an honor from The Writers Guild of America, East, a press release has announced. The “Unbreakable Kimmy...
Trailer Watch: Pussy Riot Mix Art and Politics in “Act & Punishment”
“Act & Punishment” centers on all-girl Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot, and a new trailer for the documentary doesn’t shy away from some of the controversies surrounding the polarizing...
“Pitch’s” Kylie Bunbury to Topline Courtney Kemp’s Reboot of “Get Christie Love” for ABC
If you loved “Pitch” and were sad to see it cancelled, here’s a silver lining: the baseball show’s star, Kylie Bunbury, has booked a new gig. Deadline reports that she’s signed on to...
Trailer Watch: Helen Hunt Leads a Girls’ Volleyball Team to Glory in “The Miracle Season”
“How many teams ever win two championships back to back? Almost none,” a high school volleyball coach (Helen Hunt) tells her team in the trailer for “The Miracle Season.” The girls of West...
Cara Mertes Named Hot Docs’ 2018 Doc Mogul
Cara Mertes is set to be honored at the 2018 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, POV Magazine reports. The director of the JustFilms initiative at the Ford Foundation will receive...
Trailer Watch: Natalie Portman Tries to Save Her Husband’s Life in “Annihilation”
“Start from the beginning,” Natalie Portman is told in a new trailer for “Annihilation.” We’re transported to the not-so-distant past, and see the Oscar winner’s character, a biologist,...
Black List 2017 Features Record Number of Scripts By and About Women
If the 2017 Black List is any indication — and hopefully it is — we’re going to see more films written by women going into production soon. And more female-led stories, too. Compiled...
Quote of the Day: Jessica Chastain Reflects on the Price of Speaking Out
“To be honest, I’m mainly surprised about my nomination,” Jessica Chastain told The New York Times regarding her recently announced Golden Globe nod for “Molly’s Game.” The actor took...
Alicia Vikander to be Honored by Goteborg Festival
Alicia Vikander hasn’t celebrated her 30th birthday yet, but the Oscar winner is set to receive yet another prestigious honor. She’ll take home the Nordic Honorary Dragon Award from Sweden’s...
“Masters of Sex” Creator Michelle Ashford Signs Overall Deal With FX
Michelle Ashford is making it official with FX Productions. The “Masters of Sex” creator has inked an overall deal with the company, Variety confirms. While Ashford earned an Emmy nod for...
Julie Delpy Honored at European Film Awards, Calls Out Sexism in Funding Female Directors
Most award winners use all of their time at the podium to breathlessly thank agents and deliver words of inspiration. Not so for Julie Delpy. In a bold and amazing move, the multihyphenate made an...
Tanya Saracho Series “Brujas” Being Developed by Big Beach
Playwright and TV scribe Tanya Saracho has a new project in the works. She’s tapped to serve as showrunner on “Brujas,” a series being developed by indie producer and financer Big Beach....
“Jessica Jones” Season 2 Gets a Premiere Date and Teaser
Jessica Jones is back and as deadpan as ever. “If you say with great power comes great responsibility I swear I’ll throw up on you,” says our favorite antihero in a date announcement for...
Second Season of “Big Little Lies” Confirmed, Andrea Arnold to Direct
We haven’t seen the last of Madeline, Celeste, and the rest of Monterey just yet. It’s official: “Big Little Lies” is no longer a limited series — the HBO show is coming back for a...
Trailer Watch: Hayley Atwell Is Proud of Her Independence in “Howards End”
A trailer has arrived for Hayley Atwell-starrer “Howards End.” Starz’s upcoming period drama sees the “Agent Carter” alumna playing Margaret, a young woman who lives in London with her...
“Wonder Woman,” “Lady Bird,” and “Insecure” Among AFI’s Top Films and TV Shows of 2017
“Wonder Woman” earned rave reviews and grossed over $821 million worldwide, and now we know we can count The American Film Institute among its millions of fans. AFI has announced its 10 best...
“Unrest,” “One of Us,” and Other Women-Directed Documentaries Advance in Oscar Race
The Oscar race is heating up. The Academy has narrowed down the films in the running for Documentary Feature to 15, and four of them are directed or co-directed by women, amounting to about 27...
Mary J. Blige to Be Honored at Palm Springs Film Fest
Mary J. Blige delivers a standout performance in Dee Rees’ “Mudbound,” and the nine-time Grammy winner is set to be recognized for her supporting role in the Southern epic. Blige will receive...
Sally Field Memoir on the Way
They like her. They really like her. Grand Central Publishing (GCP) has snagged the North American rights to Sally Field’s upcoming memoir, Deadline reports. Described as the two-time Oscar...
Angelina Jolie, Patty Jenkins, and Greta Gerwig Participate in THR’s Director Roundtable
Gerwig: THR It’s frustratingly common to see director roundtables and panels with zero women participants — discussions where female filmmakers literally don’t have a voice. Fortunately...
Teaser Watch: Zoey Deutch Is a Vigilante in “Flower”
ARed Band teaser trailer has dropped for Zoey Deutch-starrer “Flower.” “I know what goes down in this town behind closed doors,” says Erica (Deutch). And the 17-year-old feels compelled to...
Angela Robinson to Receive Inaugural Mind the Gap Award
Angela Robinson earned raves for her depiction of “Wonder Woman’s” origin story in “Professor Marston & The Wonder Women,” and now the writer-director is set to be honored for the...
Laurie Collyer’s Road Trip Movie Starring Tessa Thompson and Melissa Leo Secures Distribution
IFC Films will steer U.S. and Canadian distribution of Laurie Collyer’s new road movie, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Led by rising star Tessa Thompson and Oscar winner Melissa Leo,...
Trailer Watch: Joaquin Phoenix Is Brutal in Lynne Ramsay’s “You Were Never Really Here”
AU.S. trailer has landed for Lynne Ramsay’s Joaquin Phoenix-starrer “You Were Never Really Here,” and it’s intense. “They said you were brutal,” a State Senator (Alex Manette) tells Joe...
THR’s Women in Entertainment Power 100: Ava DuVernay, Shonda Rhimes, Ashley Judd, & More
With new sexual harassment stories breaking every day, many have suggested that having more women in power would result in less toxic, sexist workplace environments in Hollywood and everywhere else....
Oscars 2018: Best Documentary Short Semi-Finalists Announced, Over 50 Percent Are Women-Directed
Oscar nominations won’t be announced until January 23, but we’re getting a peek at what to expect next month. A “screening committee drawn from documentary branch members has winnowed a field...
Film Society of Lincoln Center to Host Evening with Laura Dern
“Few actors of her generation have amassed as consistent, eclectic, and dazzling a body of work as Laura Dern,” a press release from the Film Society of Lincoln Center reads. The film...
Jessica Chastain to Receive Chairman’s Award at Palm Springs Film Fest
Two-time Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain is adding another honor to her stacked CV. The Cinemacon Female Star of the Year has been named as the 2018 recipient of the Chairman’s Award at the...
Trailer Watch: Christina Hendricks, Mae Whitman, and Retta Rob a Store in “Good Girls”
“I’m going to start capping people and I’m not even joking,” shouts Christina Hendricks in the first trailer for “Good Girls.” As threatening as her words are, the “Mad Men”...
Sight & Sound’s 2017 Critics’ Poll Includes “Mudbound,” “Zama,” and More Women-Directed Films
Sight & Sound asked 180 critics to pick their top five films of the year, and the results are in. The UK mag announced the 20 films to receive the most votes, and six are helmed by women. The...
Rashida Jones and Kerry Washington Join Forces for “Goldie Vance” Adaptation
Angie Tribeca and Olivia Pope are teaming up. Rashida Jones and Kerry Washington are set to collaborate on an adaptation of “Goldie Vance” for 20th Century Fox, Variety reports. The former will...
“The Girl on the Train” Is Coming to the Stage
“The Girl on the Train” has already sold over 15 million copies and been adapted into a film starring Emily Blunt. Broadway World reports that Paula Hawkins’ literary sensation is now heading...
Jenny Slate Is Writing a Book of Feminist Fables
Who doesn’t want to be Jenny Slate’s BFF? If you’re delighted by the “Landline” actress’ stories about going to astronomy class high and faking illnesses to get attention as a middle...
“Lady Bird” Named Best Film By New York Film Critics Circle
The (New York) critics have spoken. “Lady Bird” is 2017’s Best Film. Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut took top honors from The New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC), a press release has...
Trailer Watch: Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy Plot a Murder in “Thoroughbreds”
“You cannot hesitate. The only thing worse than being incompetent or being unkind or being evil is being indecisive,” Amanda (Olivia Cooke, “Bates Motel”) warns her BFF Lily (Anya...
Sundance 2018 Competition Lineup Is 38 Percent Women-Directed
“The Miseducation of Cameron Post” will screen at Sundance next year Sick of hearing about awards season and this year’s contenders? Look onward. Sundance Film Festival has announced its 2018...
Liu Yifei to Star in Niki Caro’s Live-Action “Mulan”
“Mulan” has found its leading lady. Liu Yifei, also known as Crystal Liu, has booked the high-profile role, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. “The Zookeeper’s Wife” helmer Niki Caro is...