BY Laura Berger
Hailee Steinfeld Eyeing Lead Role in “Transformers” Spinoff “Bumblebee”
Hailee Steinfeld may be teaming up with an Autobot. The Hollywood Reporter writes that the Oscar-nominated actress is in talks to topline “Bumblebee,” Paramount’s first “Transformers”...
Gabrielle Union to Topline and Produce Home-Invasion Drama “Breaking In”
If you can’t get enough of movies like “You’re Next,” “The Strangers,” and “Panic Room,” you’ll want to check out Gabrielle Union’s next project. The “Being Mary Jane”...
Maggie Gyllenhaal to Star in Sara Colangelo’s “The Kindergarten Teacher”
Maggie Gyllenhaal is stepping into the classroom. The Oscar-nominated actress has signed on to topline “The Kindergarten Teacher,” a film based on a critically acclaimed 2014 Israeli drama of...
Ramona S. Diaz’s Sundance Winner “Motherland” Acquired by FilmRise
An intimate look into one of the world’s biggest and busiest maternity hospitals is coming to theaters. A press release announced that FilmRise has acquired North American distribution rights to...
STXfilms to Release Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein’s Amy Schumer-Starrer “I Feel Pretty”
STXfilms has snagged distribution rights to the Amy Schumer-led comedy “I Feel Pretty,” Variety reports. The project marks the directorial debut of “How to Be Single” and “He’s Just Not...
Quote of the Day: Jessica Chastain Calls Depictions of Women at Cannes “Quite Disturbing”
When we found out Jessica Chastain would be serving on the jury at Cannes this year, we knew the outspoken feminist would make a mark at the fest. Sure enough, the two-time Oscar nominated actress...
Applications Open for the Canadian Academy’s Apprenticeship for Women Directors
Canada-based directors, this one’s for you: applications are now open for the Canadian Academy’s Apprenticeship for Women Directors. The program will offer intensive professional development for...
Blake Lively to Star in Adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s “The Husband’s Secret”
Addicted to “Big Little Lies” and anxiously awaiting confirmation of a second season? Well, here’s something to help tide you over. The author who wrote the novel the HBO murder mystery is...
Drama About Cleopatra in the Works at Amazon
History nerds, rejoice: Amazon Studios is developing a drama about Egypt’s most famous queen, Cleopatra. Described as a revisionist take “on one of history’s most misunderstood women,”...
Gina Prince-Bythewood to Direct Marvel’s “Silver Sable and Black Cat”
Gina Prince-Bythewood is getting a superhero movie. Variety reports that the “Secret Life of Bees” writer-director has signed to to helm “Silver Sable and Black Cat.” She’ll also rewrite...
Quote of the Day: Helen Mirren Explains Why She’s a “Declared Feminist”
The self-described “Nastiest of all Nasty Women” recently gave the commencement address at Tulane University, and her speech was characteristically candid, hilarious, and feminist — Helen...
Ellen DeGeneres Has a Netflix Special on the Way
Long before Ellen DeGeneres brought smiles to people’s faces every weekday as the host of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” she was lighting up stages as a stand-up comic. The Emmy winner is set to...
Anne Hathaway to Topline Untitled Romantic Comedy from STXfilms
Anne Hathaway is getting back into the rom-com game. ComingSoon.net reports that the Oscar winner has signed on to star in an untitled romantic comedy from STXfilms penned by writing partners Abby...
WIF Launches Campaign Encouraging Audiences to See “Wonder Woman” Opening Weekend
We know where we’ll be next weekend — watching Gal Gadot kick ass on the big screen. After years of anticipation, Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” is opening in theaters. And we’ll be...
Toni Collette Options “The Best of Adam Sharp”
Toni Collette has nabbed the rights to Graeme Simsion’s novel and screenplay for “The Best of Adam Sharp,” Deadline reports. The romance marks Collette’s first project under her...
Cannes Update: Chloé Zhao’s “The Rider” Snagged by Sony Pictures Classics
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the North American rights to Chloé Zhao’s “The Rider,” a press release has announced. The company will also distribute the cowboy drama in Latin America,...
Elisabeth Moss to Star in and Produce TV Adaptation of Mary Beth Keane’s “Fever”
Elisabeth Moss is set to topline another TV adaptation of a novel. Deadline reports that the Golden Globe winner will star in and executive produce “Fever,” a limited series based on Mary Beth...
Cannes 2017 Women Directors: Meet Natalia Santa — “La Defensa del Dragón”
“La Defensa del Dragón” is Natalia Santa’s directorial debut. The film will premiere at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival on May 24. W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words. NS:...
Hedgebrook’s Screenwriters Lab Now Accepting Applications
If you’re dreaming of writing for the big screen, take note: Hedgebrook’s third annual Screenwriters Lab is now accepting applications. Selected screenwriters will be in residence for ten days...
Haifaa Al-Mansour to Direct “The Perfect Candidate”
“Wadjda” writer-director Haifaa Al-Mansour has lined up her next project. The trailblazing Saudi Arabian filmmaker will helm “The Perfect Candidate,” a drama about a young female physician...
Cannes Update: Rihanna, Lupita Nyong’o, Ava DuVernay, and Issa Rae Team Up for Buddy Film
This is not a drill: Rihanna and Lupita Nyong’o are starring in a buddy movie together. “Insecure” co-creator Issa Rae is writing the script. “Selma” helmer Ava DuVernay is directing. If...
Cannes Update: Amma Asante’s Amandla Stenberg-Starrer “Where Hands Touch” Acquired by Sony Pictures…
Cannes Update: Amma Asante’s Amandla Stenberg-Starrer “Where Hands Touch” Acquired by Sony Pictures Worldwide Amandla Stenberg is one step closer to breaking audience’s hearts yet again....
Elvira Lind’s Tribeca Winner “Bobbi Jene” Acquired by Oscilloscope
Elvira Lind’s “Bobbi Jene” has found a home. Oscilloscope Laboratories snagged the U.S. rights to the the award-winning documentary about American dancer Bobbi Jene Smith, a press release has...
Cannes Update: Joanna Hogg to Direct “The Souvenir”
“Exhibition” writer-director Joanna Hogg has a new project in the works. The British filmmaker will helm “The Souvenir,” a romantic mystery executive-produced by Sikelia Productions’...
Cannes Update: Jessica Chastain to Star in and Produce “Seducing Ingrid Bergman”
Jessica Chastain is set to portray an icon of the silver screen. The two-time Oscar-nominated actress will topline and produce “Seducing Ingrid Bergman,” Deadline reports. Chastain will play the...
Trailer Watch: Whitney Houston Struggles with Fame in “Whitney: Can I Be Me”
“Success doesn’t change you — fame does,” says Whitney Houston in a newly released trailer for “Whitney: Can I Be Me.” The documentary follows the icon’s personal and...
Cannes Update: Claire Denis’ “Let the Sunshine In” Acquired by Sundance Selects
Sundance Selects has snagged all North American rights to Claire Denis’ “Let the Sunshine In,” Variety reports. The dramedy just made its world premiere at Cannes, where it received positive...
Catherine Zeta-Jones to Star in Lifetime’s “Cocaine Godmother”
Catherine Zeta-Jones is set to play a criminal mastermind. The Oscar winner has signed on to star in Lifetime’s “Cocaine Godmother,” a biopic about Griselda Blanco, better known as the...
Cannes 2017 Women Directors: Meet Bonni Cohen — “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power”
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...
Trailer Watch: Brie Larson Reunites with Her Dysfunctional Family in “The Glass Castle”
Try as she might, Brie Larson can’t bury her past in a new trailer for “The Glass Castle.” The Oscar-winning actress stars as Jeannette, a woman who’s tried to distance herself from the...
Cannes Update: Greta Gerwig to Star in Mia Hansen-Løve’s English-Language Debut
French filmmaker Mia Hansen-Løve is set to make her English-language debut. ScreenDaily reports that the award-winning writer-director will helm “Bergman Island,” starring Greta Gerwig, Mia...
Trailer Watch: A Little Girl Fights to Rescue Her GMO Friend in “Okja”
“We needed a miracle. And then we got one,” says Tilda Swinton in the first trailer for “Okja.” The Oscar-winning actress plays the CEO of a corporation that endeavors to revolutionize the...
Misha Green Teaming Up with Jordan Peele for HBO’s “Lovecraft Country”
If you couldn’t get enough of “Get Out’s” winning combination of horror thrills and biting social commentary about racism, you’re in luck. The smash hit’s writer-director, Jordan Peele,...
Trailer Watch: An Aspiring Rapper Makes a Name for Herself in “Patti Cake$”
A trailer has finally landed for one of Sundance 2017’s biggest hits, “Patti Cake$.” The spot kicks off by giving the drama’s protagonist an amazing introduction: “Bow down, the Queen is...
Trailer Watch: Emmanuelle Riva Goes Missing in Dominique Abel and Fiona Gordon’s “Lost in Paris”
A woman travels to Paris with an unusual mission in Fiona Gordon and Dominique Abel’s latest offering, “Lost in Paris.” A U.S. trailer has dropped for the whimsical comedy, which centers on...
Quote of the Day: Ava DuVernay on the Privilege of Being Able to Say No
Ava DuVernay is dropping truth bombs yet again. The Hollywood Reporter recently brought together some of the top showrunners and producers in the business, and the resulting feature is full of...
Cannes 2017: Salma Hayek, Robin Wright, and More to Participate in Women in Motion Talks
Women-directed films are — once again — scarcely represented in Cannes’ Competition lineup, but fortunately Kering’s third annual Women in Motion program promises to initiate and...
Teaser Watch: A Girl Disguises Herself as a Boy to Help Her Family in “The Breadwinner”
“When I was young, Parvana, I knew what peace felt like,” a father tells his daughter in a new trailer for “The Breadwinner.” He explains, “Stories remain in our hearts even when all else...
DC Announces “Wonder Woman Day” Celebrations
“Wonder Woman” will — at long last — hit multiplexes June 2. But the fun won’t stop there. DC Entertainment has announced that June 3 will be “Wonder Woman Day,” complete with...
Scripted Series About Anna Wintour and Tina Brown Greenlit by Bravo
If you’re interested in the publishing industry and/or behind the scenes drama — and who isn’t? — you’ll want to keep an eye out for “All That Glitters,” a six-hour series that...
Cannes 2017 Updates: Rosamund Pike, Blake Lively, and Noomi Rapace Line Up New Projects
Cannes is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, but it’s also a business hub. The fest — and Cannes market — officially kick off tomorrow, May 17, but new projects...
Julianne Moore to Star in Re-Imagining of 2013’s “Gloria”
Julianne Moore has signed on to topline a re-imagining of Sebastian Lelio’s critically acclaimed “Gloria.” The 2013 Santiago-set drama earned rave reviews and took home three awards at the...
Kristin Scott Thomas to Play BMW Heiress in Alexandra-Therese Keining’s “Paramour”
Kristin Scott Thomas has signed on to star in “Paramour,” a thriller about a doomed romance. Swedish helmer Alexandra-Therese Keining will direct the film, Deadline reports. Inspired by the...
Trailer Watch: Alison Brie Enters the Ring and Changes Her Life in “GLOW”
A trailer has finally landed for Alison Brie-starrer “GLOW,” and it’s perfect. The Netflix series is set in the ’80s and centers on Ruth (Brie, “Community”), an out-of-work actress who...
Submissions Are Open for the 2018 Athena Film Festival
Does your short or screenplay portray a female leader? If so, take note: the Athena Film Festival at Barnard College is now accepting submissions. Co-founded by Women and Hollywood founder and...
Trailer Watch: Zoe Lister-Jones and Adam Pally Turn Their Fights into Music in “Band Aid”
“Band Aid” “What if we turned all our fights into songs? Let’s start a band,” says Anna (Zoe Lister-Jones) in a new trailer for “Band Aid.” The comedy centers on a married couple who...
Trailer Watch: Lola Kirke Falls in Love with a Married Woman in Deb Shoval’s “AWOL”
A trailer has landed for Deb Shoval’s “AWOL,” a lesbian romance toplined by Lola Kirke (“Mistress America”). “You need to start thinking about your future,” Joey (Kirke) is told by her...
Sally Potter’s “The Party” Gets U.S. Distribution
Three months after making its world premiere at the Berlinale, “The Party” has found a U.S. home. Writer-director Sally Potter’s latest feature has been acquired by Roadside Attractions, The...
Teaser Watch: Reese Witherspoon Gets New Roommates in Hallie Meyers-Shyer’s “Home Again”
“I just always act out on my birthday. It’s like my own personal New Year’s Eve,” explains Alice (Reese Witherspoon) in a newly released teaser for Hallie Meyers-Shyer’s “Home Again.”...
Frankie Shaw’s “SMILF” Gets Picked Up by Showtime
Showtime has given a series order to Frankie Shaw’s “SMILF,” The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The former “Mr. Robot” actress is wearing many hats on the semi-autobiographical 10-episode...
Bette Gordon Talks Recognizing the Evil Within Ourselves in “The Drowning”
Bette Gordon’s films have been screened theatrically in the U.S. and abroad, as well as in all the major film festivals, including Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, and Sundance. Her films are in the...