BY Laura Berger
Trailer Watch: Angelina Jolie Tells a Harrowing Story in “First They Killed My Father”
A trailer has landed for Angelina Jolie’s latest directorial effort, “First They Killed My Father.” The spot is scarce on plot details — and includes no dialogue — but it manages...
Quote of the Day: Jessica Lange Says “Ageism is Pervasive” in the Film Biz
After more than four decades in the industry, Jessica Lange continues to deliver standout performances and rack up awards. She’s up for an Emmy this year for playing Joan Crawford in “Feud:...
Starz Developing Series Based on Stephanie Danler’s “Sweetbitter”
“Sweetbitter” may be coming to the small screen. A half-hour drama series based on Stephanie Danler’s critically acclaimed 2016 coming-of-age novel is being developed by Starz. According to...
Carol Burnett to Star in Unscripted Netflix Comedy
Carol Burnett is teaming up with Netflix — and kids. The streaming giant has given a 12-episode series order to “A Little Help with Carol Burnett,” an unscripted, half-hour comedy that...
TIFF Announces More Lineups: “Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami” to Open Doc Program
The Toronto International Film Festival is rolling out more of its lineups. About a week ago, TIFF announced its most high-profile programs, Galas and Special Presentations (which include Susanna...
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady Doc About Hasidic Judaism Lands at Netflix
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s portrait of an Evangelical Christian summer camp earned them an Oscar nomination, and the “Jesus Camp” directors’ latest project, “One of Us,” explores...
Trailer Watch: Noomi Rapace Plays Seven Identical Sisters in “What Happened to Monday”
Noomi Rapace is taking on another ass-kicking role — or rather, roles — in her latest film, “What Happened to Monday.” The “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” star plays seven...
Jane Campion’s “Top of the Lake: China Girl” Gets U.S. Premiere Date
Your other Elisabeth Moss TV obsession is coming back. The “Handmaid’s Tale” star reprises her role in “Top of the Lake’s” highly anticipated sophomore season, “China Girl,” and this...
Quote of the Day: Phoebe Waller-Bridge Calls People-Pleasing “A Fucking Nightmare”
“Being proper and sweet and nice and pleasing is a fucking nightmare. It’s exhausting,” says Phoebe Waller-Bridge in a new interview with The Guardian. It’s just the kind of observation her...
Bryce Dallas Howard to Make Feature Directorial Debut with “Sorta Like a Rock Star”
Bryce Dallas Howard is stepping behind the camera again. The Golden Globe-nominated actress has signed on to make her feature directorial debut with an adaptation of Matthew Quick’s novel “Sorta...
Lifetime Renews “UnREAL” for Fourth Season and “Mary Kills People” for Second
If controversial dark comedies are your thing, Lifetime’s got you covered: the network is bringing lots more “UnREAL” and “Mary Kills People” your way, according...
The First Season of HBO’s “Room 104” is Over 50 Percent Women-Directed
Year after year we’re disappointed by “Game of Thrones,” an addictive and entertaining series that clearly prides itself on its depictions of powerful female characters yet doesn’t hire...
Weekly Update for July 28: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Atomic Blonde” Films About Women Opening This Week Atomic Blonde Oscar-winner Charlize Theron explodes into summer in “Atomic Blonde,” a breakneck action-thriller that follows MI6’s most...
Trailer Watch: The Pfeffermans Go to Israel in “Transparent” Season 4
“You can just start again and never look back,” says Maura (Jeffrey Tambor) in a newly released trailer for “Transparent’s” upcoming fourth season. But — for better and for...
Bonni Cohen on Why “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” Gives Viewers A Bucket of Hope
Bonni Cohen is an award-winning producer and director. She co-directed “Audrie & Daisy,” which premiered in competition at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and was picked up as a Netflix...
Could “Wonder Woman” Be an Oscar Contender? Warner Bros. Thinks So
Goddess willing, this Oscar season could be a game-changer. “Wonder Woman” is the highest-grossing film of the summer, the second highest-grossing film of the year behind “Beauty and the...
Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston to Star in Series About Morning Shows
Nearly 20 years after playing sisters on “Friends,” Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston are teaming up for another project. The pair are attached to star in and executive produce an untitled...
Kerry Washington to Be Honored for LGBTQ Advocacy
Kerry Washington is set to receive yet another well-deserved award. If you think the “Scandal” actress is badass as Olivia Pope, just wait until you hear what she gets up to when the cameras...
Jenna Mattison’s Directorial Debut “The Sound” Acquired, Rose McGowan Stars
Jenna Mattison’s directorial debut has found a home. According to Deadline, Orion Pictures and Samuel Goldwyn Films have joined forces to acquire “The Sound,” a thriller toplined by...
Katherine Dieckmann on Crafting an Unconventional Female Protagonist in “Strange Weather”
Katherine Dieckmann’s films include “Motherhood,” “Diggers,” and “A Good Baby.” She began her career as a journalist, writing for such publications as Rolling Stone, The Village Voice,...
Patty Jenkins to Direct New TNT Drama “One Day She’ll Darken”
Patty Jenkins’ is following up “Wonder Woman” with a return to the small screen. The herstory-making director will helm the pilot of “One Day She’ll Darken,” a six episode limited drama...
Women-Directed Films Account For Less Than 5 Percent of Venice’s Competition Lineup
“Venice is recognized as the oldest film festival in the world, but the 73rd iteration of the fest demonstrates that they are lagging behind when it comes to gender equality in their...
Welle Entertainment Nabs Rights to Book About the Female Heroes of Silicon Valley
Love HBO’s “Silicon Valley” but wish women had more of a presence in the comedy? Fortunately it looks like a story about “the unsung female heroes of Silicon Valley” is coming to the...
“Broad City” Season 4 Gets a New Premiere Date
It’s time to start counting down the days: “Broad City” is returning in less than two months. Everyone’s favorite BFF stoners are headed back to Comedy Central for the cult comedy’s fourth...
Venice Days Competition is 33 Percent Women-Directed
Another day, another festival lineup. Less than 24 hours after the Toronto International Film Festival announced its Gala and Special Presentation programs, Venice Days, The Venice Film Festival’s...
Trailer Watch: A Teen Questions His Sexuality in “Beach Rats”
“Do you think its hot when two guys make out?” a teen boy nervously asks his new girlfriend in a trailer for “Beach Rats.” Seconds before, Simone (Madeline Weinstein) told the boy (Harris...
TIFF Galas and Special Presentations: Greta Gerwig, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, & More
The Toronto International Film Festival has announced the first batch of films heading up north, and as always, the fest is highlighting both A-List stars and emerging talent. Many of the films...
Exclusive: Women Re-Adjust to Life Outside of Prison in Clip of “Returning Citizens”
“Since I’ve been home, I’ve been fortunate enough to be in a position to form an organization known as The WIRE, Women Involved in Re-Entry Efforts. And The WIRE is basically a group of...
Jane Campion Calls for Quotas for Women Directors
Jane Campion is proposing a solution to make the film world more equitable: quotas. The first female filmmaker ever to win the Palme d’Or, Campion took home the honor in 1993 for “The Piano.”...
Venice Critics’ Week Competition is Over 70 Percent Female-Helmed
For the second year in a row, a female director’s feature debut will open Venice Critics’ Week. The independently run Venice sidebar kicked off last year’s screenings with Alice Lowe’s...
Venice Critics’ Week Competition is Over 50 Percent Female-Helmed
“Pin Cushion”For the second year in a row, a female director’s feature debut will open Venice Critics’ Week. The independently run Venice sidebar kicked off last year’s screenings with...
“Girls Trip” Outperforms Expectations at the Box Office
Yet another female-led film is “opening above expectations at the domestic box office.” Strong reviews helped “Girls Trip” draw big numbers this weekend. “Even during a crowded weekend,”...
Quote of the Day: Jenny Slate Doesn’t Want to Be “Known as the Woman Dating So-and-So”
Jenny Slate has a movie coming out today. She’d rather talk about “Landline” — a project she worked hard on and wants people to see — than who she’s sleeping with. And she’s...
Sarah DeLappe’s “The Wolves” to Make Off-Broadway Return This Fall
Listen up, “Bend it Like Beckham” fans: If you’re in New York City this fall, you may be able to catch “The Wolves,” an all-too-rare story about female athletes. According to Playbill,...
“UnReal” Co-Creator Sarah Gertrude Shapiro to Make Film About Women Who Fight ISIS
Sarah Gertrude Shapiro is no stranger to heavy topics. The “UnREAL” co-creator has tackled a racially-charged police shooting, rape, and suicide in her Lifetime hit. And now she’s set to take...
Amazon Acquires Natalie Dormer Series “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” Larysa Kondracki to Direct
Margaery Tyrell is making her way to Amazon. Deadline reports that the streaming service has picked up “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” a six-episode Australian period drama toplined by “Game of...
Nisha Ganatra to Direct Margaret Cho’s TNT Pilot
“Transparent,” “Girls,” “Better Things” — Nisha Ganatra has directed some of TV’s most critically acclaimed comedies, and now she’s set to helm Margaret Cho’s hourlong TNT...
Suranne Jones to Topline Sally Wainwright’s New Series About Anne Lister
“Gentleman Jack” has found its leading lady. “Doctor Foster” star Suranne Jones will play Anne Lister in Sally Wainwright’s upcoming HBO and BBC One series, Deadline reports. Formerly...
Trailer Watch: Taraji P. Henson is a Hit-Woman in “Proud Mary”
Taraji P. Henson is switching gears from playing a gifted mathematician to a gifted assassin. A trailer has just been released for the “Hidden Figures” star’s next film, “Proud Mary.” The...
Anne Hathaway to Star in Sci-Fi Thriller “O2”
Anne Hathaway is getting her “Gravity” on. The Oscar winner has signed on to star in “O2,” a “contained thriller with sci-fi elements” that Deadline compares to 2014’s “Gravity,”...
Trailer Watch: Sally Hawkins Stuns in Other-Worldly Fairy Tale “The Shape of Water”
“If I told you about her, the princess without voice, what would I say?” So begins the first trailer for “The Shape of Water.” The so-called “princess” in question is Elisa (Sally...
Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil’s “Love Is ___” Lands at OWN
Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil are joining forces with OWN. The wife-and-husband team are working on “Love Is ___,” a new hourlong series for Oprah Winfrey’s TV network, The Hollywood Reporter...
Julia Roberts to Topline Amazon Series “Homecoming”
“Homecoming” is headed to the small screen and Julia Roberts is leading the way. The Oscar winner will star in a TV adaptation of the fictional podcast of the same name. According to The...
Sandra Bullock to Star in Post-Apocalyptic Netflix Thriller Directed by Susanne Bier
Sandra Bullock is the latest A-lister to team up with Netflix. The Hollywood Reporter writes that the “Gravity” star has signed on to topline “Birdbox,” a post-apocalyptic thriller helmed by...
Greta Gerwig’s Solo Directorial Debut Starring Saoirse Ronan Lands at A24
“Lady Bird” is set to take flight. Deadline reports that A24 has snagged worldwide distribution rights to Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut, and the company seems to see awards potential...
Inaugural Half Fest Directors Showcase to Highlight Women and Minorities in Hollywood
Ryan Murphy is expanding the work of the Half, a foundation within his 20th Century Fox-based production company. Launched in the summer of 2016, Half aims to diversify Hollywood by offering...
Apply Now: Black List & Women In Film Feature Film Lab for Female Writers & Second Annual TV Lab
The Black List and Women In Film (WIF), LA have announced that they are re-teaming for the second annual episodic TV lab for women writers. A press release also revealed that they are also joining...
Trailer Watch: Natalie Portman Embraces Her Supernatural Abilities in “Planetarium”
“Don’t expect to see a show — but to live an experience,” an audience is told before spiritualist sisters Laura (Natalie Portman) and Kate (Lily-Rose Depp, “Yoga Hosers”) take the...
Drama Series Based on Mariah Carey’s Life Being Developed by Starz
Mariah Carey is best known for two things: her incredible pipes and the fact that she’s an incredible character. Her amazing talent and larger-than-life persona have captivated millions for...
Trailer Watch: Learn the Story Behind Diana Prince in “Professor Marston & The Wonder Women”
“Wonder Woman” has now grossed over $765 million worldwide, making the Patty Jenkins-directed blockbuster the highest-grossing live-action film ever helmed by a woman. For many, Diana Prince’s...
Christina Hendricks, Alysia Reiner, & Anna Camp to Star in Marianna Palka’s “Egg”
A radical depiction of unconventional motherhood is on the way. A press release has announced that Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”), Alysia Reiner (“Orange Is the New Black”), and Anna Camp...