Features
Quote of the Day: Lena Waithe Wants to Tell More Black, Queer Stories
“I am tired of white folks telling my stories,” actress, writer, and producer Lena Waithe said in Vanity Fair’s April 2018 cover story. “We gotta tell our shit. Can’t no one tell a black...
Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth Are Re-Teaming for “Men in Black” Spinoff — Let’s Talk About Pay
“Thor: Ragnarok” co-stars Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth are reuniting for another big budget project. Thompson is in talks to join Hemsworth in Sony’s “Men in Black” spinoff, Variety...
Rude Awakenings: Crowdfunding Picks
“Sirens” When life hands you lemons, go find a life coach who moonlights as a mermaid. Well, at least that’s the conceit of one of our latest crowdfunding picks. Mermaids aside, all of our...
Weekly Update for March 16: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Tomb Raider” Films About Women Opening This Week Tomb Raider — Co-Written by Geneva Robertson-Dworet Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander) is the fiercely independent daughter of an eccentric...
Guest Post: How Starting a Film Festival Helped Expand My Social Awareness
Guest Post by Nora Armani Awareness is the first step towards reclaiming our rights as women. So long as we are unaware that we are experiencing inequality, and so long as we accept the status quo...
Quote of the Day: Zoey Deutch on the Lack of Complex Film Roles for Women
In her new movie, “Flower,” Zoey Deutch portrays an opportunistic, morally ambiguous teen who turns to vigilantism to take down a sex offender. Deutch’s Erica isn’t the usual teen...
Under the Radar: “Shakedown” Celebrates Black Lesbian Labor and Desire in Los Angeles
Under the Radar is Women and Hollywood’s newest feature. Published monthly, the post offers a chance for us to highlight works by and/or about women that haven’t received big releases or...
Netflix Must Lead on Inclusion Issues — Instead, They Are Lagging Behind
It’s been 10 days since Frances McDormand uttered those two words that set Hollywood afire — inclusion rider. And in those 10 days Brie Larson, Michael B. Jordan, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon,...
The World of #MeToo: Crowdfunding Picks
Originally used by social activist and community organizer Tarana Burke, the term “me too” has become prolific in recent months, following the many exposés of sexual abuse allegations made...
Weekly Update for March 9: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“A Wrinkle in Time” Films About Women Opening This Week A Wrinkle in Time — Directed by Ava DuVernay; Written by Jennifer Lee A reimagining of Madeleine L’Engle’s classic novel that...
Guest Post: What I Learned From Making a Doc About a Refugee
Guest Post by Kate McCaslin Much of what I know about filmmaking I learned this year from a Sudanese refugee named Rebecca Mabior. I admit it’s peculiar given that I’ve worked in the film...
Rachel Brosnahan on Playing an Undercover Feminist in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Brosnahan in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”: Sarah Shatz At a recent event at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, Rachel Brosnahan was asked about the #MeToo movement and its potential impact on...
Women Who Persist: March’s VOD and Web Series Picks
This month we find ourselves especially inspired by the determination of women — perhaps because it’s Women’s History Month, and we’re feeling particularly conscious of the struggles...
Frances McDormand Made My Night at the Oscars a Memorable One
I’ve tried to get Oscar credentials for the past several years. This year, my dream finally came true. Like most people, I’ve watched the Oscars every year I can remember — years ago for...
Indie Spirit Awards: Greta Gerwig, Dee Rees, and Agnés Varda Win Big
Saturday’s Indie Spirit Awards were a takedown of sexist bullshit and a celebration of inclusive talent. Hosts John Mulaney (“SNL”) and Nick Kroll (“Big Mouth”) had plenty to say about...
British Actresses Launch Campaign for Equal Representation on Stage and Screen
With two-thirds of screen time going to men, actresses in the UK turned activists this week and launched the Equal Representation for Actresses (ERA) campaign for gender equality in television,...
Weekly Update for March 2: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Red Sparrow” Films About Women Opening This Week Red Sparrow When she suffers a career-ending injury, Dominika (Jennifer Lawrence) and her mother are facing a bleak and uncertain future. That...
March 2018 Film Preview
It’s Women’s History Month! We can’t think of a better time to celebrate women in film, whether behind the camera or on-screen. On International Women’s Day (March 8), Netflix debuts...
March 2018 Film Preview
“A Wrinkle in Time”: Disney It’s Women’s History Month! We can’t think of a better time to celebrate women in film, whether behind the camera or on-screen. On International Women’s Day...
Quote of the Day: Ava DuVernay on Hollywood’s “Broken System”
The past year has seen several barriers busted open in Hollywood: Patty Jenkins made history as the highest-paid female director, Dee Rees became the first black woman nominated for the best adapted...
Quote of the Day: Lynne Ramsay on Her Reputation for “Being Difficult”
“I’ve got a reputation for being difficult,” says Lynne Ramsay in a new interview with The Guardian, “and yet with my crew and my cast, I’m super-collaborative and we get on really well,...
Weekly Update for February 23: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Annihilation” Films About Women Opening This Week Annihilation After her husband disappears, a biologist (Natalie Portman) signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition in an environmental...
Adventures in Authenticity: Crowdfunding Picks
“Lorene’s Gotta Boogie” Follow the beaten path or the one less traveled? Life presents us many opportunities to explore this question, but every person’s journey towards a more authentic...
Quote of the Day: Natalie Portman on What the Woody Allen Conversations Are Missing
Natalie Portman has never been one to remain silent about gender inequality in Hollywood. She’s spoken out about receiving one-third of co-star Ashton Kutcher’s pay for “No Strings...
Under the Radar: “Almost Heaven” Is a Winning Portrait of a Teen Girl Surrounded by Death
Under the Radar is Women and Hollywood’s newest feature. Published monthly, the post offers a chance for us to highlight works by and/or about women that haven’t received big releases or...
Weekly Update for February 16: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“The Party” Films About Women Opening This Week “The Boy Downstairs” The Boy Downstairs — Written and Directed by Sophie Brooks (Opens in NY; Opens in LA February 23) Diana (Zosia...
Quote of the Day: Viola Davis on Receiving Fewer Opps and Less Pay as a WOC
What’s absent from far too many conversations about pay equality in Hollywood — and elsewhere — is recognition of the fact that all women aren’t compensated equally. As bad as things...
Weekly Update for February 9: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“The Female Brain” Films About Women Opening This Week The Female Brain — Directed by Whitney Cummings; Co-Written by Whitney Cummings and Louann Brizendine (Also Available on VOD) What...
Autonomy and Me: Crowdfunding Picks
Whether fighting the system, combating societal prejudices, or coping under the weight of a parent’s expectations, women all around the world struggle with maintaining their autonomy. This...
Berlinale Competition Program Is 17 Percent Women-Directed
The Berlin International Film Festival has announced its complete Competition lineup. Of 24 films screening in the program, four are directed by women, amounting to about 17 percent of the total....
Weekly Update for February 2: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“A Fantastic Woman” Films About Women Opening This Week A Fantastic Woman Marina (Daniela Vega) and Orlando (Francisco Reyes) are in love and planning for the future. Marina is a young waitress...
Black Herstory Month: February’s VOD and Web Series Picks
We’re kicking off Black History Month with some Black Herstory: our VOD and web series selections are all written and directed by Black women. This month’s VOD picks come from two participants...
Women Directors Dominate SXSW Competition
The lineup for the 2018 edition of South by Southwest Conference and Festival has been announced, and it’s cause for celebration. Of 10 films screening in the Narrative Feature Competition, eight...
February 2018 Film Preview
“Annihilation” February is when many of us need a mid-winter pick-me-up. Luckily, there are plenty of theatrical releases this month that make for the perfect antidote to cabin fever. Kicking...
Weekly Update for January 26: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Please Stand By” Films About Women Opening This Week Please Stand By (Also Available on VOD) A young autistic woman (Dakota Fanning) runs away from her caregiver in order to boldly go and...
Guest Post: Why I Stepped in Front of the Camera for My Short About Grief and Aging
Guest Post by Susan Bay Nimoy In 1979 I was one of six women in the Directors Guild of America that confronted the male-run Hollywood machine by demanding more directing opportunities for women....
Oscar Noms: Greta Gerwig Up for Best Director, “Mudbound’s” Dee Rees & Rachel Morrison Make History
Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson is moving up from her high school production of “Merrily We Roll Along” all the way to the Academy Awards. Oscar nominations are in, and Greta Gerwig’s...
Weekly Update for January 19: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Forever My Girl” Films About Women Opening This Week Mary and the Witch’s Flower — Co-Written by Riko Sakaguchi “Mary and the Witch’s Flower” Mary (Ruby Barnhill) is a plain,...
Guest Post: Why I Made a #MeToo PSA With a Team of Survivors
Guest Post by Summera Howell In recent months outcries of “me too” have rocked Hollywood, politics, and America. As woman after woman has come forth, each voice has strengthened the roar. A...
Quote of the Day: Ellen Pompeo on Asking for What She Deserves
Equal pay in Hollywood is back in the news in the wake of Michelle Williams and Mark Wahlberg’s wildly different paydays for “All the Money in the World’s” reshoots becoming public...
Quote of the Day: Keira Knightley on Hiring More Women and #TimesUp
Throughout her career, Keira Knightley has been anything but shy when asked about Hollywood’s disappointing lack of female stories and creators. She has consistently spoken her mind and continues...
Sundance 2018 Preview: Films About the Apocalypse, LGBTQ Teens, RBG, and More
“On Her Shoulders” The Sundance Film Festival begins this Thursday, January 18 and as expected, there are tons of exciting projects by and about women. For those of you making the trek to Park...
Quote of the Day: Sarah Jessica Parker on the Launch of #TimesUp
While promoting the second season of “Divorce” this week in New York City, Sarah Jessica Parker, fresh off the plane from LA, where she presented a Golden Globe Award, had a lot to say about...
Guest Post: Mary Pickford, Frances Marion, and the Influence of Women in Hollywood’s Early Days
Guest Post by Melanie Benjamin Some of the highest grossing and critically-acclaimed films released last year were by and about women. 2017 was somewhat of a banner year for women in Hollywood,...
Weekly Update for January 12: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Proud Mary”: Dana Starbard/CTMG Films About Women Opening This Week Proud Mary Mary (Taraji P. Henson) is a hitwoman working for an organized crime family in Boston. Mary’s life is completely...
Golden Globes 2018: Women Rule and Men Hide
After all the post-mortems are finished, last night’s Golden Globes ceremony will be remembered as the night that the women in Hollywood stood up to the powers that be and said Time’s Up. The...
Weekly Update for January 5: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“In Between” Films About Women Opening This Week In Between — Written and Directed by Maysaloun Hamoud “In Between” captures the daily duality of three young Palestinian women (Mouna...
Winter 2018 TV Preview: Shows Created By & About Women to Mark on Your Calendar
“2 Dope Queens”: HBO Looking for a way to avoid the post-holidays winter doldrums? You’ve come to the right place. There are a bunch of women-centric and created shows premiering or returning...
NYT Film Critics Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott on Hollywood’s Tectonic Shift
“Wonder Woman” helped shift the plates “It’s hard to survey the landscape in the middle of an earthquake,” observes A.O. Scott in yesterday’s edition of The New York Times. The piece...
Guest Post: The Importance of Amplifying Quieter Voices in Film
Guest Post by Elhum Shakerifar At the end of 2017, I was humbled to accept the Women in Film and TV Factual Award. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in news, factual programming, current...
January 2018 Film Preview
“Proud Mary” January is here with a collection of women-centric, women-directed, and women-written films that range from kick-ass to life-altering to eye-opening. The month begins with “In...