BY Rachel Montpelier
Irish Film Board Introduces New Incentives for Female Writers, Directors, & Producers
Six months after awarding 75 percent of its production loans to women directors, the Irish Film Board has unveiled another plan to bolster gender equality in Ireland’s film industry. Scannain...
Carolyn McCall to Be ITV’s First Female CEO
Carolyn McCall is ITV’s new CEO effective January 8, 2018. According to The Hollywood Reporter, McCall will soon leave her post as easyJet’s CEO and take over the UK TV corporation. With this...
Trailer Watch: Take an Epic Adventure with Oprah in Ava DuVernay’s “A Wrinkle in Time”
“Your father has accomplished something extraordinary — also dangerous,” Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey) tells Meg Murry (Storm Reid). “He’s trapped by a darkness that’s actively...
Donna Deitch’s Digitally Restored “Desert Hearts” to Screen at IFC, Receives New Trailer
“Desert Hearts” Donna Deitch’s pioneering LGBTQ film “Desert Hearts” is returning to the big screen. The 1986 movie, which recently received a digital restoration, will be screening at the...
Weekly Update for July 14: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“To the Bone” Films About Women Opening This Week To the Bone — Written and Directed by Marti Noxon (Available on Netflix) Based on the real-life experiences of writer-director Marti...
Biopic About Civil Rights Activist Fannie Lou Hamer Is in the Works
Black women were and are a major force in the fight for civil rights, but it is still so rare for the Hollywood biopic machine to greenlight projects about activists like Anne Moody, Maya Angelou,...
Study: There Is Significant Gender Disparity in German Film and Television
Don’t let “Toni Erdmann’s” success fool you: Gender inequality persists in German movies and TV. Per The Hollywood Reporter, a recent study from University of Rostock concluded that “women...
Emma Rice to Establish New Theater Company at London’s Old Vic
Emma Rice is wasting no time setting up her new theater company, Wise Children. According to BBC News, the Globe’s exiting artistic director has unveiled plans to launch Wise Children at...
Amy Schumer’s “I Feel Pretty” & Cate Blanchett’s “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” Get Release Dates
Theatrical releases have been set for the Amy Schumer comedy “I Feel Pretty,” and the Cate Blanchett-led “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” “I Feel Pretty,” in which Schumer plays a woman...
2017 Emmy Awards: “Big Little Lies” and “Handmaid’s Tale” Make a Major Mark
The Emmy nominations were announced earlier today and there was plenty of recognition for female-centric series like “Big Little Lies,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “Feud: Bette and...
Why Is Rey Still Missing from the “Star Wars” Monopoly Game?
Daisy Ridley successfully anchored the big budget, international smash hit “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” So why is her character, Rey, still missing from the “Monopoly: Star Wars” board?...
Submit Your Script for Sundance Screenwriting Fellowship
Submissions are now open for the fifth annual Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship. From the Black List and producer Elwes (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler”), the fellowship will grant...
Renée Zellweger & Isabella Rossellini Join Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Best Day of My Life”
New details have surfaced about the previously-untitled Sarah Jessica Parker romantic drama. The project, which will see Parker play a singer, now has a title and supporting cast. According to...
We Might Be Getting More “L Word”
Everyone’s favorite “Lez Girls” could be returning to the small screen. According to Variety, Showtime is developing a sequel to the “The L Word,” the Ilene Chaiken-created drama series...
“Criminal Minds” Boss Erica Messer Signs Two-Year Pod Deal with ABC Studios
“Criminal Minds” showrunner Erica Messer isn’t giving up the profiling biz quite yet. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Messer has signed a two-year pod deal with ABC Studios, “Criminal...
Study: West End Musicals Are Overwhelmingly Written by Men
London’s West End just earned a dubious honor: it’s just as inhospitable to women as Broadway. A new study from The Stage examined the West End musical productions that ran for at least three...
Toronto International Film Fest Launches Share Her Journey Campaign
This year’s edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is still about two months away, but the fest is already introducing Share Her Journey, a program that will spotlight women in...
Apply Now for the EWA’s 2018 Scriptwriter Residency Program
Submissions are now being accepted for the European Women’s Audiovisual Network’s (EWA) second annual scriptwriter residency program. The EWA will select one female screenwriter and help her...
Weekly Update for July 7: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Austin Found” Films About Women Opening This Week Austin Found — Written by Brenna Graziano (Also Available on VOD) Leanne Miller (Linda Cardellini, “Freaks and Geeks”) is a...
“Empire” Showrunner Ilene Chaiken Renews Contract with 20th Century Fox
Ilene Chaiken will continue ruling her “Empire” — so to speak. The showrunner of the Lee Daniels-created soap opera has extended her contract with 20th Century Fox Television. According to...
Quote of the Day: Emma Stone on the Importance of Male Allies in Fighting the Pay Gap
Something that’s often missing from conversations about feminism and pay parity for women is, well, guys. While men should definitely not dictate the gender pay gap dialogue, their support is...
Study: Nonprofit Theaters Have a Woman Problem Too
Another day, another horror story for women in the theater world. Last week it was the Actors’ Equity study that found acting and stage management jobs are still being dominated by white men....
Apply Now for a Fellowship with WritersForWriters
The lack of mentorship is one the largest barriers to entry women and people of color face in Hollywood. Breaking into the industry is hard, and it’s damn near impossible if you don’t have...
BRITDOC CEO Jess Search Joins Kickstarter Board
With more than a decade of funding documentaries under her belt, BRITDOC CEO Jess Search is poised to join Kickstarter, the crowdfunding organization that helps all kinds of projects find financing....
Weekly Update for June 30: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“The Little Hours” Films About Women Opening This Week The Little Hours (Opens in NY and LA) Medieval nuns Alessandra (Alison Brie), Fernanda (Aubrey Plaza), and Ginevra (Kate Micucci) lead a...
“Flip the Script” Web Series Turns the Table on Workplace Sexism
Would you say that to a guy? Would you do that in front of a guy? That’s the basic sexism litmus test, and it was definitely a major influence on the Women in Film (WIF) web series “Flip...
Academy Board of Governors Is Now 39% Female
Shortly after inviting a historic 774 new members to join its ranks, the Academy held its annual board of governors election and, per The Hollywood Reporter, women were elected in...
The Academy Continues to Diversify with 774 New Members
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, best known as the body behind the Academy Awards, has invited 774 new members to join its ranks — topping last year’s record-setting 683...
Trailer Watch: Learn More About Leia, Rey, & Jyn Erso in “Star Wars: Forces of Destiny”
Today in non-controversial “Star Wars” news: You won’t have to wait for “The Last Jedi” to hit theaters to see more of Rey, Daisy Ridley’s badass “Force Awakens” character. A trailer...
Quote of the Day: Halle Berry Talks the Lack of Change Since Her Historic 2002 Oscar Win
“This is for every nameless, faceless woman of color who now has a chance because this door has been opened,” a triumphant Halle Berry announced when she won the Best Actress Oscar for...
Exiting Globe Artistic Director Emma Rice to Start New Theater Company
Emma Rice won’t leave her post as artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe until 2018, but she has already lined up her next gig. Per The Stage, Rice has announced her plans to establish Wise...
Veteran TV Director Gail Mancuso to Helm Her First Feature Film
Gail Mancuso’s name probably sounds familiar to you — chances are you’ve seen at least a couple episodes she’s helmed during her 25-year career as a television director. Now, as Deadline...
Study: Women and People of Color Are Being Shut Out of Theater Jobs
Probably more than any other entertainment field, the theater prides itself on being a haven for everyone, for being progressive, and for continuously pushing the envelope. So it’s extra...
Quote of the Day: Solange Thanks BET for Always Giving Women a Seat at the Table
When Solange won the Centric Award at Sunday’s BET Awards, her acceptance speech seemed fairly run-of-the-mill at first. She thanked her family and friends, her husband and son, and her...
The Kilroys Publishes List Spotlighting Women Playwrights of Color
The Kilroys, an independent collective in Los Angeles, has released its annual list of “new plays by women deemed worthy of production,” The New York Times reports. This year’s installment...
Trailer Watch: The Bellas Are Ready to “Aca-Finish This” in “Pitch Perfect 3”
The Barden Bellas have finally graduated and it turns out the real world isn’t as fun as collegiate a cappella competitions. Beca (Anna Kendrick) just quit her job. Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) is doing...
Trailer Watch: Women Directors Step in Front of the Camera in “Seeing Is Believing”
“I’m not afraid to say, ‘I don’t know,’” says Leslie Hope, director of TV and docs, in a trailer for “Seeing Is Believing: Women Direct.” “I’m also not afraid to say, ‘This is...
Weekly Update for June 23: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“The Beguiled” Films About Women Opening This Week The Beguiled — Written and Directed by Sofia Coppola (Opens in Limited Release; Opens Wider on June 30) “The Beguiled” is an...
Jennifer Lopez to Topline and Produce Rom-Com “Second Act”
Jennifer Lopez is returning to romantic comedies. The “Shades of Blue” actress and multi-hyphenate has signed on to star in and produce STXfilms’ “Second Act,” a rom-com about a woman over...
Women Directors Win Big at LA Film Festival
Women-directed films accounted for 46 percent of the films screening at this year’s LA Film Festival. The level playing field resulted in women directors dominating the fest’s awards ceremony....
Barbra Streisand and Yvonne Rainer Film Retrospectives Announced
Film retrospectives will honor two icons of the stage and screen this summer in New York City. An exhibition celebrating Oscar-winning actress and singer Barbra Streisand, called “Simply...
Gillian Jacobs, Vanessa Bayer, and Phoebe Robinson to Star in Clubbing Comedy “Ibiza”
Gillian Jacobs is going to Spain with “SNL” alumna Vanessa Bayer and “2 Dope Queens” podcast co-host Phoebe Robinson. The three will star in the Netflix comedy film “Ibiza,” per The...
Gaming Company Ubisoft Launches Fellowship for Female Screenwriters
Are you a female gamer with filmmaking ambitions? If so, gaming company Ubisoft has introduced the perfect fellowship for you. The Hollywood Reporter writes that Ubisoft’s film division will...
New York State Senate and Assembly Pass TV Diversity Bill
The New York State Senate and Assembly have passed new landmark legislation: the TV Diversity Bill. Spearheaded by State Senator Marisol Alcantara and Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, the bill would...
“Queen Sugar” Season 2 Premiere Scores Series-High Ratings Among Women Aged 25–54
All hail the “Queen.” The second season premiere of OWN’s “Queen Sugar” drew 2.3 million viewers as well as a 0.7 18–49 rating and a 2.09 rating among women 25–54 on Tuesday night. As...
Study: CAA Finds That Diverse Films of All Budgets Fare Better at Box Office
A recent study and corresponding database from Creative Artists Agency (CAA) found that diversity does, indeed, sell. As the Los Angeles Times writes, the research suggests that racially inclusive...
Common Sense Media Unveils “Positive Gender Representations” Seal
Since 2003, Common Sense Media has suggested suitable children’s entertainment to parents and educators. In addition to rating TV series and movies based on age-appropriate content and the...
“One Day at a Time” Co-Showrunner Gloria Calderon Kellett Signs Deal with Sony TV
If “this is it” for “One Day at a Time” co-showrunner Gloria Calderon Kellett, then she must be having a ball. The co-creator and EP of the updated Norman Lear series has inked an overall...
Cheryl Dunye, Aurora Guerrero, & DeMane Davis Among Directors of “Queen Sugar” Season 2
Season 1 of Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar” was helmed entirely by female directors. As she explained in a Los Angeles Times profile, that was no accident — and Season 2 will be no...
Mireille Enos-Starrer “Never Here” Acquired by Vertical Entertainment
Vertical Entertainment has snagged the U.S. rights to the Mireille Enos thriller “Never Here,” Deadline reports. The film, which made its world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June...
Teaser Watch: The Bellas Are on Tour in Behind-the-Scenes Look at “Pitch Perfect 3”
“Pitch Perfect 3” doesn’t hit theaters for another six months, but the comedy’s new teaser promises it’ll be well worth the wait. The spot features behind-the-scenes footage from the third...