BY Laura Berger
Maggie Greenwald’s Sundance Romance “Sophie and the Rising Sun” Acquired
“Sophie and the Rising Sun” has found a home, Deadline reports. Monterey Media has acquired the U.S. and Canadian rights to the period romance, starring Julianne Nicholson (“August: Osage...
“Miss Sloane” to Make World Premiere at AFI Fest
Elizabeth Sloane is headed from Capitol Hill to Hollywood. “Miss Sloane,” a thriller centered on a lobbyist who faces off against the gun industry, will make its World Premiere at AFI Fest 2016,...
Tina Fey, Nancy Abraham, and More to Speak at PGA Event in NY
Tina Fey is best known as a writer and actress, but she’s also a powerhouse producer whose credits include “30 Rock,” “Sisters,” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” It’s Fey’s role as...
Kadri Kõusaar on Directing “Mother,” Estonia’s Oscar Submission
Kadri Kõusaar is an Estonian writer and director. Her first feature, “Magnus,” premiered in 2007, and was the the first Estonian film ever to be selected for Cannes Film Festival, screening in...
Every Episode of “Jessica Jones” Season 2 Will Be Directed by Women
Your favorite superhero is adding some amazing allies to her team. “Marvel’s Jessica Jones” executive producer and showrunner Melissa Rosenberg has revealed that Season 2 of the hit Netflix...
Jennifer Lawrence to Play Zelda Fitzgerald in Biopic
Jennifer Lawrence is swapping Mystique’s blue body paint for flapper dresses. The Oscar winner has signed on to portray Jazz Age icon Zelda Fitzgerald in “Zelda,” an upcoming biopic about the...
Rebel Wilson Honored with Inaugural Annette Kellerman Award
“Pitch Perfect” actress Rebel Wilson was honored at the annual Australians in Film Awards gala, held yesterday in LA. Wilson received the inaugural Annette Kellerman Award, which recognizes...
Weekly Update for October 21: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“It Had to Be You” Films About Women Opening This Week It Had to Be You — Written and Directed by Sasha Gordon Sonia (Cristin Milioti) is a quirky, neurotic jingle writer who has always...
Reed Morano to Direct “I Think We’re Alone Now,” Starring Elle Fanning
“Meadowland” helmer Reed Morano has signed on to direct “I Think We’re Alone Now,” a post-apocalyptic movie starring Elle Fanning (“Neon Demon”) and Peter Dinklage (“Game of...
Gotham Award Nominations Announced: “Certain Women,” “Weiner,” and More
“Certain Women’s” profile continues to rise. The nominations for the 26th annual IFP Gotham Independent Film Awards have been announced, and the Kelly Reichardt-directed drama is among the...
Glenn Close to Star in Film Adaptation of Meg Wolitzer’s “The Wife”
Glenn Close is set to star in “The Wife,” a film adaptation of Meg Wolitzer’s 2003 novel of the same name. The drama sees the six-time Oscar nominee playing Joan Castleman, a woman best known...
Quote of the Day: Universal Head Donna Langley Talks Inclusion and Diversity
Universal Chairperson Donna Langley spoke about the importance of inclusion and diversity at Fortune’s Most Powerful Woman Summit on Tuesday, but the exec also recognized that Hollywood needs to...
Issa Rae to Exec Produce “Minimum Wage” Anthology Series Written by Women
“Insecure” debuted on HBO less than a month ago to rave reviews, but the comedy’s star, co-creator, and executive producer isn’t just basking in the success of her new series — she’s...
Jane Campion Becomes a Dame
Award-winning writer-director Jane Campion is officially a Dame. The Sydney-based filmmaker accepted the honor in a ceremony held in Wellington, New Zealand — her hometown — earlier...
Maria Maggenti to Write Pilot for TV Land’s “Re Jane”
“Finding Carter” alumna Maria Maggenti is adapting Patricia Park’s 2015 novel “Re Jane” for the small screen. The half-hour, single-camera comedy series is being developed at TV Land,...
Cathryn Humphris to Write New FBI Procedural at Fox
WGA Award winner Cathryn Humphris is set to pen an FBI procedural drama being developed at Fox, reports Variety. She’s working on the hour-long, untitled series with former “Law & Order:...
Lone Scherfig’s “Their Finest” Gets Release Date
“An Education” director Lone Scherfig will close out the Santa Barbara International Film Festival with her latest film, “Their Finest,” on February 11, and about a month later the WWII-set...
Freeform Orders “Brown Girls” Comedy Pilot from Shilpi Roy and Nastaran Dibai
“Brown Girls” has been given a pilot order from Freeform, the network behind “Pretty Little Liars,” “The Fosters,” and “Switched at Birth,” Deadline reports. The multi-camera comedy...
Reese Witherspoon and Robin Wright Team Up for New Series About First Ladies
Reese Witherspoon and Robin Wright are joining forces. Deadline reports that Witherspoon’s production company, Pacific Standard, and “Spotlight” producer Anonymous Content are collaborating on...
Margaret Nagle to Write “Bonfire of the Vanities” Series
Margaret Nagle has signed on to pen a series based on “Bonfire of the Vanities,” Tom Wolfe’s bestselling 1987 novel. Along with writing the project, “The Good Lie” screenwriter will serve...
Kelly Reichardt’s “Certain Women” Wins Best Film at London Film Fest
Kelly Reichardt’s “Certain Women” took home top honors at the BFI London Film Festival. The ensemble drama was named Best Film at the 60th edition of the fest. The Montana-set story centers on...
Teaser Watch: Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman Uncover “Big Little Lies”
A teaser has arrived for “Big Little Lies,” HBO’s hotly anticipated, star-studded limited series. Based on Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel of the same name, the darkly comedic murder...
DOC NYC’s Feature Film Lineup Is 44 Percent Women-Directed
The complete lineup for DOC NYC 2016 has been revealed, and the gender composition of directors is refreshingly even. Women-directed or co-directed 48 of 110 feature films screening at the fest, or...
Weekly Update for October 14: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Certain Women” Films About Women Opening This Week Certain Women — Written and Directed by Kelly Reichardt Kelly Reichardt directs an ensemble cast led by Michelle Williams, Kristen...
Annette Bening to Be Honored at AFI Fest
Mike Mills’ “20th Century Women” recently premiered to rave reviews at the New York Film Festival, and much of that praise was directed towards the drama’s star, Annette Bening. The...
Lifetime Greenlights Dark Comedy Series Created by Tara Armstrong
Lifetime has found great success exploring the cutthroat behind-the-scenes world of reality television in “UnREAL,” and now the network is tapping into more controversial subject...
Best-Selling Author Helen Walsh To Direct Second Feature
Award-winning novelist Helen Walsh is stepping behind the camera for a second time, Screen International reports. The English writer-director will follow up her 2015 debut “The Violators” with...
Aubrey Plaza’s “Nightmare Time” Gets Pilot Order from TBS
“Parks and Recreation” star Aubrey Plaza is involved in a new TV project, but this time she’ll be working behind the scenes, Deadline reports. TBS has given a pilot order to Plaza’s...
Lifetime’s “UnREAL” Gets a New Showrunner
“UnREAL” has a new captain steering the ship. The Emmy-nominated Lifetime series has hired a new showrunner for its third season, which begins production in February, 2017. The Hollywood...
Queen Latifah to Be Honored with Princess Grace Award
Queen Latifah is set to receive a prestigious honor from the Princess Grace Foundation, Shadow and Act reports. The Prince Rainier III Award, given in recognition of “a renowned leader in the Arts...
LFF 2016 Women Directors: Meet Wang Yichun — “What’s in the Darkness”
“What’s in the Darkness” marks Wang Yichun’s directorial debut. The film screened at the Berlinale and the ninth FIRST International Film Festival in Xining, China. Yichun won the Best...
Oscar Foreign Language Race is 19 Percent Women-Directed
The Academy Awards won’t air until February 26, 2017 — over four months from today. Still, Oscar buzz is mounting. The Academy has announced all of the submissions for Best Foreign Language...
NYFF 2016 Women Directors: Meet Natalia Almada — “Everything Else”
Natalia Almada is recipient of the 2012 MacArthur Genius Award and of the 2009 Sundance Documentary Directing Award for her film “El General.” Almada’s 2011 film “El Velador” premiered at...
LFF 2016 Women Directors: Meet Alice Lowe — “Prevenge”
Known for her work as a UK television comedy actress, Alice Lowe made her move into film with her screenwriting debut “Sightseers,” directed by Ben Wheatley, in which she also starred. After...
Watch: Jessica Sanders Celebrates the Power of Female Filmmakers in New Short
Academy Award-nominated producer and documentary filmmaker Jessica Sanders has turned her lens towards female directors, and the results are glorious. The activist has assembled a group of twenty...
LFF 2016 Women Directors: Meet Anna Muylaert — “Don’t Call Me Son”
Anna Muylaert was born in São Paulo. She has directed many shorts, including the award-winning “The Origin of Babies.” Her feature credits include “Durval Discos,” “É Proibido Fumar,”...
Tina Fey to Be Honored at THR’s Women in Entertainment Breakfast
Tina Fey will be honored at The Hollywood’s Reporter’s 2016 Women in Entertainment breakfast, THR reports. The writer, actress, and producer will receive the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award,...
Trailer Watch: Germany’s Delightfully Dysfunctional Oscar Pick “Toni Erdmann”
“Toni Erdmann” has had critics and audiences talking since its world premiere at Cannes back in May. Those who haven’t caught Maren Ade’s acclaimed comedy on the festival circuit finally...
LFF 2016 Women Directors: Meet So Yong Kim — “Lovesong”
So Yong Kim is an award-winning Korean-American independent filmmaker. In 2006 Kim received the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival for her debut feature, “In Between Days.” Her...
Trailer Watch: Zoe Kazan Faces “The Monster” in New Horror Film
A pulse-quickening trailer has been released for “The Monster,” a mother-daughter horror film toplined by Emmy-nominated actress Zoe Kazan. The “Olive Kitteridge” star plays a divorced...
“Finding Dory” Passes $1 Billion Mark
A blue tang has found herself among box office royalty — superheroes, star-crossed lovers Rose and Jack, and her old friend Nemo the clownfish. That’s right: “Finding Dory” has joined...
Trailer Watch: Isabelle Huppert is Finally Free in “Things to Come”
“I met someone.” A newly released trailer for writer-director Mia Hansen-Løve’s “Things to Come” starts on a sour note: The film’s protagonist, Nathalie (Isabelle Huppert), learns that...
Weekly Update for October 7: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“The Girl on the Train” Films About Women Opening This Week The Girl on the Train — Written by Erin Cressida Wilson Rachel (Emily Blunt), devastated by her recent divorce, spends her...
NYFF 2016 Co-Directors: Linda Saffire and Adam Schlesinger— “Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan”
Linda Saffire has worked on numerous award-winning film and television productions. Among her feature documentary and film credits are “A Conversation with Gregory Peck,” a collaboration with...
Hamptons Film Fest 2016 Women Directors: Meet Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg — “Marathon: The…
Hamptons Film Fest 2016 Women Directors: Meet Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg — “Marathon: The Patriots Day Bombing” Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg’s credits include “Joan Rivers: A...
“The Watermelon Woman” Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Revival Run
LGBTQ festival favorite “The Watermelon Woman” is heading back to to the cinema with a makeover, Shadow and Act reports. First Run Features has announced the re-release of writer-director Cheryl...
NBC Snags New Comedy About Siblings Created by Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling’s stacked resume continues to expand, Deadline reports. The creator, executive producer, and star of Hulu’s “The Mindy Project” just scored a put pilot commitment from NBC for a...
LFF 2016 Women Directors: Meet Shahrbanoo Sadat — “Wolf and Sheep”
Shahrbanoo Sadat is an Afghan screenwriter and director. Sadat’s first short fiction film, “Vice Versa One,” was selected at Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes in 2011. In 2013, she launched her...
Watch: “Gilmore Girls” Featurette Revisits the Past and Looks Into the Future
Pour yourself a cup — or five cups — of coffee and prepare to be transported back to Stars Hollow by watching a newly released featurette celebrating the return of “Gilmore Girls.”...
Dolly Parton to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at CMAs
Dolly Parton will soon be adding another well-deserved trophy to her mantle. The music legend will receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming Country Music Association...
Hope Dickson Leach Wins Inaugural IWC Filmmaker Bursary Award
Hope Dickson Leach has been named the inaugural recipient of the IWC Filmmaker Bursary Award, presented in association with the BFI, ScreenDaily reports. According to the BFI, the £50,000 award...