BY Laura Berger
The Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program Announces This Year’s Participants
The five participants of this year’s Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program have been announced. Launched to provide industry support, funding, and other resources to new...
Trailer Watch: Jennifer Garner’s Family Falls Apart in “The Tribes of Palos Verdes”
A trailer for “The Tribes of Palos Verdes” kicks off with a toast — “to new beginnings, to us.” “It was always my father’s dream to move to California — that we could start a...
Patty Jenkins and Geena Davis Named Keynoters at Women in Entertainment Summit
Two Wonder Women are set to deliver keynotes at the the upcoming third annual Women in Entertainment Summit: record-breaking “Wonder Woman” helmer herself, Patty Jenkins, and Oscar-winning...
Wanda Sykes and Jill Soloway Honored at Point Foundation Gala
“Slowly but surely I realized by writing this TV show, and distributing this TV show to the world, it would actually make the world safer for somebody that I love,” “Transparent” creator...
Keira Knightley to Topline Spy Drama Written by Camilla Blackett
Keira Knightley is joining the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Blake Lively, and Daisy Ridley, all of whom are playing spies in upcoming films. Variety reports that the two-time Oscar nominee has signed...
Trailer Watch: A Throuple Makes Comic Book History in “Professor Marston & The Wonder Women”
“I’m going to inject my ideas right into the thumping heart of America,” announces esteemed psychologist Dr. William Moulton Marston (Luke Evans, “Beauty and the Beast”) in a new trailer...
Trailer Watch: A Little Girl is Sent to a Witch Camp in Rungano Nyoni’s “I Am Not a Witch”
“Now it’s up to you whether to be a goat or a witch,” eight-year-old Shula (Margaret Mulubwa) is told in the first trailer for Rungano Nyoni’s “I Am Not a Witch.” Shula has been accused...
“Atypical” Creator Robia Rashid Signs New Overall Deal at Sony Pictures TV Studios
Robia Rashid is staying put. Deadline reports that the “Atypical” creator and executive producer has signed a new overall deal with the studio behind the Netflix coming-of-age series, Sony...
Vox Media to Launch “Divided States of Women” Series This Month, Liz Plank to Host
Vox Media is offering a platform for women to discuss issues that affect “every woman in America.” The Hollywood Reporter confirms that the company is launching “Divided States of Women,” a...
NBC Developing Legal Drama from Actress Maya Dunbar
Former “Banshee” star Maya Dunbar has sold a family legal drama to NBC, Deadline reports. The actress, whose credits include Ava DuVernay’s second feature “Middle of Nowhere,” “The...
Foreign-Language Oscar Race is 27 Percent Women-Directed
We’ll have to wait until January 23 for Oscar nominations to be announced, but the Academy has released the titles of all of the films competing in the foreign-language Oscar race. According to...
Quote of the Day: Nicole Kidman on Her Feminist Roots and Goals
“The idea that women and men are equal is a part of my DNA,” writes Nicole Kidman in the new issue of Net-a-Porter’s Porter Magazine. In an open letter addressed to her “3.5 billion strong...
Trailer Watch: The Cards Are Stacked Against Jessica Chastain in “Molly’s Game”
“In this room, you couldn’t buy your win, you couldn’t buy me, and you couldn’t buy a seat at the table,” explains Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) in a new trailer for “Molly’s Game.”...
Liz Hannah to Write MGM’s 9/11 Air Force One Drama “Only Plane in the Sky”
Liz Hannah’s incredible breakout year just got even better. The screenwriter’s debut, “The Post,” bows December 22 and boasts Steven Spielberg as a director and stars Meryl Streep and Tom...
Alyssa Milano Has Gigs in the Works with Netflix, The CW, and Lifetime
Alyssa Milano is lighting it up. Deadline reports that the “Charmed” alumna has three new gigs in the works, all at different networks. She just closed deals that will see her developing,...
Nicole Kidman to Star in Karyn Kusama’s Next Film
Karyn Kusama is joining forces with Hollywood royalty for her next feature. Nicole Kidman will topline “Destroyer,” an LA-based crime thriller directed by Kusama, The Hollywood Reporter...
Regina Hicks’ “Black Don’t Crack” Snagged by ABC, Viola Davis to Exec Produce
A new comedy from “Insecure” writer and co-executive producer Regina Hicks has sold to ABC, Deadline reports. The multi-camera show about old friends counts Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis...
Daisy Ridley to Star in “Daddio”
Daisy Ridley’s heading from a galaxy far, far away to New York City. The “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” star has signed on to topline “Daddio,” a spec project penned by Christy Hall....
Quote of the Day: Frances McDormand on How Her Feminist Politics Cross Over Into Her Roles
Frances McDormand is well-aware of the kinds of characters she’s known to play — and her own reputation. “I mean, I know I’m profane. And outspoken. But I don’t know, [these roles are]...
Patricia Arquette to Make Feature Directorial Debut with “Love Canal”
Patricia Arquette is stepping behind the camera. Deadline reports that the Oscar-winning actress is set to make her feature debut with “Love Canal,” a drama based on “The Canal,” an upcoming...
Quvenzhané Wallis Adds Author to Her Résumé
Quvenzhané Wallis holds the record for the youngest-ever Best Actress Oscar nominee, and now she’s making her mark on another medium. The 14-year-old “Beasts of the Southern Wild” and...
Lucrecia Martel’s “Zama” Submitted as Argentina’s Foreign-Language Oscar Pick
Lucrecia Martel’s first feature in nine years may earn her an Academy Award nomination. Argentina has submitted “Zama” as their foreign-language Oscar pick, The Hollywood Reporter confirms....
Tracy Oliver Writing New “First Wives Club” TV Reboot
Tracy Oliver struck box office gold with “Girls Trip,” and now the screenwriter is tackling a project for the small screen. Deadline reports that she’s signed on to pen a half-hour series...
Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi on Celebrating a “Badass Butch” in “Chavela”
Catherine Gund is an Emmy-nominated producer, director, writer, and activist. Her media work focuses on strategic and sustainable social transformation, arts and culture, HIV/AIDS and reproductive...
Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani’s “Let the Corpses Tan” Acquired by Kino Lorber
“Let the Corpses Tan” has found a home weeks after screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. Variety reports that Kino Lorber snagged North American rights to the neo-Western,...
Meryl Streep to Narrate Women’s Rights Documentary
Meryl Streep and Alicia Keys are teaming up on a short film chronicling the women’s rights movement. The former will narrate “We Rise,” and the latter’s song “We Are Here” will be...
Kristen Stewart & Lupita Nyong’o Being Eyed for Elizabeth Banks’ “Charlie’s Angels” Reboot
Kristen Stewart and Lupita Nyong’o may be stepping in front of the camera for Elizabeth Banks. The actresses are being eyed to star in Banks’ upcoming reboot of “Charlie’s Angels,” Variety...
Diablo Cody and Emily Silver Collaborating on New Cop Drama for Fox
Just over a week ago Diablo Cody signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television, and now comes word that the Oscar winner has a new project in the works at Fox. Variety reports that the...
Glenn Close-Starrer “The Wife” Acquired by Sony Classics
Glenn Close’s latest project has found a home weeks after bowing at the Toronto International Film Festival. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony Pictures Classics snagged all North American...
Nancy Buirski on Exploring Hidden Stories in the Civil Rights Movement in “The Rape of Recy Taylor”
Nancy Buirski’s writing, directing, and producing credits include “By Sidney Lumet,” “Afternoon of a Faun,” and the the Oscar shortlisted, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning “The Loving...
Roya Sadat’s “A Letter to the President” Is Afghanistan’s Foreign-Language Oscar Pick
Roya Sadat is joining the foreign-language Oscar race. Afghanistan has submitted her feature debut, “A Letter to the President,” as its pick for the upcoming ceremony, The Hollywood Reporter...
Debra Martin Chase Signs First-Look Deal with Universal Television
Debra Martin Chase is joining forces with Universal Television. The film and TV producer, whose credits include “The Princess Diaries” and “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” has signed a...
Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams-Starrer “Disobedience” Acquired by Bleecker Street
“Disobedience” has found a home following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival a few weeks back. Deadline reports that Bleecker Street snagged the U.S. distribution...
Julie Taymor to Adapt Gloria Steinem’s Memoir
In what sounds like fan fiction dreamed up by feminist film lovers, word has come that Gloria Steinem’s memoir, “My Life on the Road,” is being adapted for the big screen. And Julie Taymor and...
Dee Rees to Direct Film Adaptation of Joan Didion’s “The Last Thing He Wanted”
Dee Rees has lined up her next project before her latest has even hit theaters. Since its debut at Sundance, “Mudbound” has been earning rave reviews and causing plenty of Oscar buzz. Rees will...
Octavia Spencer, Patty Jenkins, Priyanka Chopra, & More to Be Honored at Variety’s Power of Women
Some of the most philanthropic and inspiring women in Hollywood will be celebrated at an upcoming event. A press release has announced Variety’s honorees for their Power of Women luncheon in LA....
Teaser Watch: Natalie Portman Embarks on a Terrifying Expedition in “Annihilation”
Natalie Portman is subjected to a bizarre interrogation in the first teaser for Alex Garland’s hotly anticipated follow-up to “Ex-Machina,” “Annihilation.” After returning home from...
“Pretty Woman” Coming to Broadway, Samantha Barks to Star
Vivian Ward made it to Rodeo Drive and now she’s going all the way to Broadway. “Pretty Woman” is headed to the stage. According to the BBC, “Les Misérables” actress Samantha Barks will...
Julie Dash to Direct Biopic of Rosa Parks
Writer-director Julie Dash made history with 1991’s “Daughters of the Dust,” the first feature directed by an African-American woman to be distributed theatrically in the U.S. Now she’s...
Women In Entertainment to Launch Women-Directed Doc Series at ArcLight Santa Monica
Women in Entertainment and ArcLight Santa Monica are joining forces. The group of activists, artists, entrepreneurs, executives, and journalists are set to launch a series highlighting...
Fox Snags Legal Dramedy from “Guilt” Creators Kathryn Price and Nichole Millard
“Guilt” creators Kathryn Price and Nichole Millard have scored a script commitment plus penalty from Fox for their new project, “One Call That’s All.” Deadline writes that the network...
Trailer Watch: Steven Spielberg Steps in Front of the Camera for Susan Lacy’s HBO Doc
Steven Spielberg is one of the most prolific and celebrated filmmakers of all time, but according to the man himself, he still gets nervous every time he starts a new scene. “When that verges on...
“Insecure” Director Melina Matsoukas to Adapt “A Brief History of Seven Killings” for Amazon…
“Insecure” Director Melina Matsoukas to Adapt “A Brief History of Seven Killings” for Amazon Studios If you haven’t already heard Melina Matsoukas’ name, you will soon. The frequent...
Trailer Watch: Jane Goodall Enters the Field and History Books in “Jane”
“Day after day, in the sun and the rain and the wind, I climbed into the hills,” recalls Jane Goodall in the first trailer for “Jane.” “This is where I was meant to be. The more I learned,...
“Pretty Little Liars” Spinoff on the Way, Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish to Star
We haven’t seen the last of Alison DiLaurentis and Mona Vanderwaal just yet. The reformed Rosewood mean girls are leading an expansion of the “Pretty Little Liars” universe. According to...
Annie Proulx to Receive National Book Award for Lifetime Achievement
Annie Proulx is adding yet another major accomplishment to her storied CV. The Pulitzer and PEN/Faulkner award-winning author will be presented with the National Book Foundation’s Medal for...
Singapore Selects Kirsten Tan’s “Pop Aye” for Foreign-Language Oscar Pick
“Pop Aye” will be representing Singapore in the 2018 foreign-language Oscar race, Variety reports. Written and directed by Kirsten Tan, the award-winning drama is set in Thailand and centers on...
Margot Robbie’s “I,Tonya” to Get Awards-Qualifying Run
Tonya Harding never found herself on an Olympic podium, but a biopic about the figure skater may be headed for awards season glory. “I, Tonya” has received an awards-qualifying release date, The...
Trailer Watch: Rebecca’s on the Warpath in Season 3 of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”
Rebecca Bunch has never been one for subtlety, and it looks like Season 3 of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” will see its anti-heroine really embrace the “crazy” part of her moniker like never before....
Watch: A Newly Single Bisexual Woman Goes Off-Script in Exclusive Clip of “Strangers”
The presence of a film crew doesn’t deter a woman from spilling her guts to a love interest in our exclusive new clip of “Strangers.” Created and directed by Mia Lidofsky, the series follows...
“Being Mary Jane” Showrunner Erica Shelton Kodish Inks Overall Deal with CBS TV Studios
Erica Shelton Kodish is heading back to CBS. The “Good Wife” alumna has signed a multi-year overall deal with CBS TV Studios after serving as showrunner on the fourth season of BET’s “Being...