BY Rachel Montpelier
Catt Sadler Leaves E! News After Years of Receiving Half of Male Co-Host’s Pay
Catt Sadler is leaving E! Entertainment after 12 years with the network. According to a blog post on her website, The Catt Walk, Sadler views her her time at E! as a dream come true, but recently...
Teaser Watch: A Classic Tale Gets a Dark Twist in “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms”
The new teaser trailer for “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” includes what you’d expect from any “Nutcracker” adaptation: ballet, the music to “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” and a...
Metrograph to Host “Tell Me: Women Filmmakers, Women’s Stories” Film Series
The Metrograph wants to amplify women’s voices. The NYC theater has announced that an upcoming film series will focus on women directors, their work, and how their female subjects see the world....
Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller Named Exec VPs of HBO Doc and Family
Sheila Nevins is leaving HBO Documentary in good hands. A press release has announced that Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller have been promoted to executive vice presidents of HBO Documentary and Family...
Trailer Watch: Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett Get the Team Together in “Ocean’s 8”
“It was a mistake,” Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) explains in her parole hearing. “But it happened. And, if I were to be released, I would just want the simple life.” In “Ocean’s 8,”...
Ursula MacFarlane to Direct Harvey Weinstein Doc for the BBC
Harvey Weinstein’s abuse of women has been dominating the news cycle since early October. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the disgraced mogul will be the subject of a BBC documentary...
Industry Execs Launch Commission to Fight Sexual Harassment, Anita Hill Will Lead
The fight to end sexual harassment and assault is still going strong. According to a press release, entertainment industry execs, independent experts, and advisors have come together to launch and...
J.J. Abrams to Receive Athena Film Fest’s 2018 Leading Man Award
The Athena Film Festival has named director, producer, and writer J.J. Abrams its Leading Man. Abrams will receive the fest’s 2018 Athena Leading Man Award in honor of his “extraordinary career...
Weekly Update for December 15: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi”: Lucasfilm Films About Women Opening This Week Star Wars: The Last Jedi Rey (Daisy Ridley) develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker...
Patty Jenkins Will Be First Woman to Receive Variety’s Creative Impact in Directing Award
Academy, take note: “Wonder Woman” helmer Patty Jenkins will be honored with Variety’s Creative Impact in Directing Award. According to a press release, the superheroine film’s star, Gal...
Women Screenwriters and Animation Pros Open Up About Sexism in Hollywood
In 2016 women represented only 13 percent of the writers on the top 250 films, and according to 2015 research, women comprise only 10 percent of animation directors and producers. Obviously...
Oprah Winfrey to Receive Cecil B. de Mille Award at 2018 Golden Globes
Add this to your list of favorite things: Oprah Winfrey is the recipient of the 2018 Cecil B. de Mille Award. The multi-hyphenate will take home the honor at the Golden Globe Awards on January 7. A...
SAG Awards Will Be Presented Entirely by Women, Kristen Bell to Host
The Screen Actors Guild will stand with women at its 24th annual awards ceremony. According to The Hollywood Reporter, women will present each statuette at the January 21 event. This gesture is...
Trailer Watch: It’s Carrie vs. the President in “Homeland” Season 7
The last time we saw Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), she had failed to stop an assassination attempt on President-elect Keane (Elizabeth Marvel). Turns out Carrie and the entire intelligence...
Jada Pinkett Smith Criticizes Hollywood Foreign Press for “Girls Trip” Golden Globes Snub
“Girls Trip” made more than $115 million at the domestic box office — from a budget of $19 million — and its breakoug star Tiffany Haddish is fast becoming one of the most in-demand...
CAA Pledges 50–50 Gender Parity by 2020, Begins Defense Fund for Harassment Cases
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is turning over a new leaf after last week’s New York Times story. According to the exposé about Harvey Weinstein’s wide-reaching network of allies and protectors,...
Awards Round-Up: Honors for “Mudbound,” “I Am Not a Witch,” and More
Awards season is heating up and while the Golden Globes didn’t show much love for women directors, the British Independent Film Awards and New York Film Critics Online sure did. “I Am Not a...
Glamour and Girlgaze Announce #NewView Film Competition Winners
A jury including directors Sam Taylor-Johnson, Dee Rees, Kimberly Peirce, and Victoria Mahoney have selected the winners of the #NewView short film competition, a press release has announced....
Weekly Update for December 8: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“I, Tonya” Films About Women Opening This Week I, Tonya (Opens in NY and LA) Based on the unbelievable but true events, “I, Tonya” is a darkly comedic tale of American figure skater Tonya...
Ava DuVernay to Receive Producers Guild’s 2018 Visionary Award
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) is recognizing Ava DuVernay’s commitment to making “topical films and television shows focusing on important social issues.” Variety reports that the...
Marvel TV’s Upcoming Animated Film Will Center on Female & Diverse Superheroes
Frustrated by the lack of women and people of color in superhero films? Well, we have some exciting news for you: all of the superheroes in Marvel Television’s upcoming animated feature “Marvel...
Academy Sends Newly Affirmed Standards of Conduct to Its Members
The Academy of of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revised its code of conduct amidst the onslaught of sexual abuse revelations coming out of Hollywood. Per Variety, Academy CEO Dawn Hudson sent...
Helen Mirren to Be Honored at AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards
Helen Mirren embraces being an adult — which is no easy feat in an industry that marginalizes women over 40. She’s called out Hollywood’s ageism as “fucking outrageous” and spoken...
Talent Agency ICM Partners Vows to Reach 50–50 Gender Parity by 2020
ICM Partners is making its workplace a better environment for women. The talent agency has pledged to reach full 50–50 gender parity by 2020 with a special focus on leadership roles. “In two...
Sundance 2018 Shorts Lineup Is 52 Percent Women-Directed
Sundance Film Festival has announced its 2018 shorts programs. Thirty-six of the 69 shorts screening, or about 52 percent, are directed or co-directed by women. This marks a slight increase from...
Robin Wright Will Lead Final Season of “House of Cards”
Claire Underwood has finally made it to the White House. According to The New York Times, “House of Cards’” sixth season will center on Robin Wright’s character, who inherited the presidency...
Saoirse Ronan Will Be Honored at Palm Springs International Film Festival
Saoirse Ronan’s chances of nabbing a third Oscar nomination are getting stronger by the day. She’s already received an Indie Spirit nod, a Gotham Award, and a New York Film Critics Circle Award...
Sonia Bonspille Boileau Wins Feature Film Award from Women In the Director’s Chair
Filmmaker Sonia Bonspille Boileau has won the 2017 Feature Film Award from Women In the Director’s Chair’s (WIDC), a professional development organization for female filmmakers in Canada. Given...
Four Women Make Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch List
Variety has named its 10 Directors to Watch in 2018. The emerging filmmakers will be recognized at a brunch at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on January 3. Four women made the cut:...
Women In Film Sexual Harassment Hotline Is Now Live
Thanks to Women In Film (WIF), it’s now a little easier for those experiencing sexual harassment to receive help. The Los Angeles Times confirms that the Help Line WIF announced last month is now...
Misha Green to Write and Produce Reboot of Blaxploitation Film “Cleopatra Jones”
Misha Green has lined up yet another project. The “Underground” co-creator will write and produce a new “Cleopatra Jones” film for Warner Bros., Deadline confirms. 1973’s “Cleopatra...
Weekly Update for December 1: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“The Shape of Water” Films About Women Opening This Week The Shape of Water — Co-Written by Vanessa Taylor (Opens in NY; Opens in LA December 8) Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is a mute, isolated...
Biopic About Oscar-Winning Actress Who Fought Sexual Harassment in the Works
With stories about workplace harassers breaking every day, it’s important to remember the women who helped pave the way to this current moment by standing up to sexist, entitled bullies....
Holly Hunter to Receive Career Achievement Award at Palm Springs Film Fest
Holly Hunter will be joining Allison Janney and Gal Gadot in Palm Springs. A press release has announced that Oscar winner Hunter will be receiving the Career Achievement Award at the Palm Springs...
Allison Janney Named Honorary Chair of 2018 Women’s Voices Theater Festival
Allison Janney is adding another gig to her jam-packed résumé. The multiple Emmy award-winning actress will serve as the Honorary Chair of the 2018 Women’s Voices Theater Festival. According to...
“SMILF” Renewed for Season 2
This calls for a celebratory snack run. “SMILF” is getting a second season, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Frankie Shaw’s Showtime comedy centers on young single mother Bridgette (Shaw) and...
TriStar TV’s Suzanne Patmore Gibbs Teases New Women-Centric Series, More “Good Girls Revolt”
Much like the main characters in “Good Girls Revolt,” Suzanne Patmore Gibbs is a feminist force. In an interview with Deadline, the TriStar TV exec vp of original series discussed a number of...
Producers Blast Lars von Trier’s Production Company for “Toxic Masculinity”
Lars von Trier’s production company, Zentropa, and its culture of misogyny have made the news again. Only a couple weeks after a report was published detailing the organization’s constant...
Nancy Malone’s Estate Donates $500K to AFI in Support of Women Filmmakers
The estate of the late actor, director, producer, and philanthropist Nancy Malone has gifted $500,000 to the American Film Institute (AFI) with the goal of advancing female filmmakers. The donation...
Laurie Nunn’s Dramedy Series “Sex Education” Receives Order from Netflix
Sex ed might be disappearing from U.S. public schools but at least it’s alive and well on Netflix. According to Deadline, the streamer has ordered “Sex Education,” a dramedy series from Laurie...
Opioid Epidemic Drama from “Gotham” Writer-Producer Rebecca Cutter Headed to Starz
Rebecca Cutter is turning her gaze from the fictional world of Gotham to the very real opioid epidemic in Provincetown, MA. The writer-producer of Fox’s Batman prequel “Gotham” has a new show...
Quote of the Day: Jane Campion on Why the Post-Weinstein World Is a “Fairytale” for Women
As accounts of sexual harassment and abuse continue to come out of Hollywood (and elsewhere), terms like “reckoning” and “long time coming” are being thrown around. And now, according to...
Weekly Update for November 22: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story” Films About Women Opening This Week Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (Documentary) — Directed by Alexandra Dean (Opens in NY November 24) Austrian...
Round-Up: Updates on Sexual Misconduct In and Out of Hollywood
The avalanche of stories about predatory behavior in Hollywood and beyond continues. In the past few days alone reports have come to light about news anchor Charlie Rose, Disney head and Pixar...
Women Comprise 60% of Variety‘s 2017 Screenwriters to Watch List
Variety has announced the scribes selected for its 10 Screenwriters to Watch of 2017 and six of the writers are women. They include Liz Hannah (“The Post”), Maggie Betts (“Novitiate”), and...
Female-Led Bids Vie to Buy Weinstein Company, Support Women
In the seven weeks or so since The New York Times published an exposé on Harvey Weinstein, Weinstein has fallen swiftly and rightfully from grace, and other industry predators like Brett Ratner,...
Weekly Update for November 17: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Mudbound” Films About Women Opening This Week The Breadwinner — Directed by Nora Twomey; Written by Anita Doron and Deborah Ellis “The Breadwinner” Parvana (Saara Chaudry) is an...
Liz Hannah and Amy Pascal Developing Female Astronaut Miniseries for Amazon
Liz Hannah and Amy Pascal are teaming up again. The respective co-writer and producer of “The Post” are adapting Martha Ackmann’s non-fiction book “The Mercury 13: The Untold Story of...
Women In Animation and Raising Films Join the Fight Against Sexual Harassment
Women In Animation (WIA) and Raising Films are joining the growing movement combating sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry. Per Deadline, WIA has been bringing the subject up at...
Swedish Film Institute Introduces Sexual Harassment Education Program
The Swedish Film Institute is developing a program to inform and educate filmmakers about sexual harassment. Expected to officially launch in 2018, the full-day initiative appears to have been...
Ava DuVernay to Receive Industry Visionary Award at American Black Film Fest Honors
2018 is gearing up to be a great year for Ava DuVernay. The “Selma” director’s much-anticipated adaptation of “A Wrinkle in Time” hits theaters March 9, and now comes word that she’ll be...