Films
Natalie Erika James’ Emily Mortimer-Starrer “Relic” Acquired by IFC Midnight
Some bright news for an SXSW title. “Relic,” which was slated to screen at the now-cancelled fest, has found a home. IFC Midnight snagged North American rights to Natalie Erika...
Andrea Dorfman’s Chelsea Peretti-Starrer “Spinster” Lands at Vertical Entertainment
Vertical Entertainment has acquired U.S. and U.K. rights to Andrea Dorfman’s latest, Variety reports. The comedy made its U.S. premiere at the Miami Film Festival...
Liz Hannah Will Make Directorial Debut with “Under Another Name”
Liz Hannah is adding director to her rapidly expanding résumé. “The Post” co-writer is set to helm an adaptation of “Under Another Name,” Alexandra Andrews’ upcoming...
“Misbehavior” Scribe Rebecca Frayn to Make Her Feature Directorial Debut with “Spies”
British novelist, screenwriter, and helmer Rebecca Frayn is set to make her feature directorial debut. She’s bringing an adaptation of “Spies,” her father’s award-winning...
Dolly Parton Doc “The Library That Dolly Built” Will Screen Throughout the Country on April 2
Dolly Parton’s advocacy for reading will soon be hitting the big screen. A press release has announced that Dollywood and Abramorama, in association with The Dollywood Foundation, have...
Lionsgate Lands Rights to Kelly Fremon Craig’s Adaptation of “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret”
Lionsgate has emerged the victor of a “heated bidding war” for the film rights to “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” The Hollywood Reporter confirms. In other...
“Free Solo’s” Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi & Jimmy Chin to Direct Drama Inspired by Thai Cave Rescue
The filmmakers behind the 2019 Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature have lined up their next project. “Free Solo” directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin will helm...
Janet Mock to Make Feature Directorial Debut with Netflix Drama About Janet Cooke
Janet Mock is set to direct her first feature. The Emmy-nominated “Pose” writer, director, and producer will helm “Janet,” a Netflix drama inspired by the true story of Janet...
Hanelle M. Culpepper to Direct “1000 Miles,” True Story of an Enslaved Couple’s Escape to Freedom
Hanelle M. Culpepper is bringing Ellen and William Craft’s story to the big screen. The history-making “Star Trek: Picard” director has been tapped to helm “1000 Miles,”...
“Saudi Runaway” Lands at Nat Geo Documentary Films
National Geographic Documentary Films has acquired the rights to “Saudi Runaway” following its world premiere at last month’s Sundance Film Festival, Deadline confirms. Susanne...
Diane Warren and Tamara Chestna Working on a Musical Drama for Paramount
Diane Warren has netted 11 Oscar nominations for penning various movies’ theme songs, and now there’s a movie in the works based on her original music. According to Deadline, the “Til...
Star-Studded Female Assassin Pic “Gunpowder Milkshake” Lands at STX
“Jumanji’s” Karen Gillan, “Game of Thrones'” Lena Headey, “9-1-1’s” Angela Bassett, “Crazy Rich Asians'” Michelle Yeoh, and “The...
“Frozen’s” Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez Have a Movie Musical in the Works
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez have already won two Oscars for Best Original Song and scored a third nomination this year for “Frozen II” anthem “Into the Unknown,”...
Caroline Link’s Adaptation of “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit” Acquired by Greenwich Entertainment
Caroline Link’s latest has secured U.S. distribution. Greenwich Entertainment scored U.S. rights to “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit,” which Deadline reports was a “local hit in...
Hannah Marks Writing and Directing Open Relationship Comedy “Mark, Mary & Some Other People”
Hannah Marks’ feature directorial debut, “After Everything,” focused on a new couple getting serious very quickly after one partner is diagnosed with cancer. Her next project will...
Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton Reunite for “Family Jewels”
The stars behind “The First Wives Club” are re-teaming. Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton will topline “Family Jewels,” a multigenerational family comedy...
Garrett Bradley’s Sundance Winner “Time” Acquired by Amazon
The winner of Sundance 2020’s Directing Award: U.S. Documentary is heading to Amazon. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon Studios acquired Garrett Bradley’s “Time” for...
Thandie Newton to Topline Western Thriller “God’s Country”
Thandie Newton’s next project will see her returning to the Wild West. The Emmy-winning “Westworld” actress will star in neo-Western thriller “God’s Country” for Cold...
Claire Denis’ “The Stars at Noon” Acquired by A24, Margaret Qualley Stars
North American rights to Claire Denis’ latest led to “a competitive situation on the eve of the European Film Market,” with A24 coming out victorious. Deadline reports that...
Katharine O’Brien’s “Lost Transmissions” and Frankie Ingrassia’s “Vampire Dad” Secure Distribution
Katharine O’Brien and Frankie Ingrassia have found homes for their respective feature directorial debuts, “Lost Transmissions” and “Vampire Dad.” The former is a drama...
Ruth Wilson Will Play an AIDS Activist in “The Book of Ruth”
Ruth Wilson is bringing Ruth Coker Burks’ story to the big screen. The “His Dark Materials” actress will topline “The Book of Ruth,” a drama inspired by the life of the...
Gaby Dellal to Direct Shark Pic “Something in the Water”
Cue the “Jaws” theme. Another shark pic will make beachgoers think twice before taking a dip. “Something in the Water,” a shark thriller directed by Gaby Dellal, is headed to...
Hilary Brougher’s “South Mountain” Acquired by Breaking Glass Pictures
“South Mountain” has found a home. Broadway World reports that Breaking Glass Pictures secured U.S. rights to Hiliary Brougher’s award-winning drama. Set in the Catskills,...
Julie Taymor’s Gloria Steinem Biopic “The Glorias” Lands at LD Entertainment & Roadside Attractions
“The Glorias” will hit theaters early this fall. LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions have scored domestic rights to Julie Taymor’s adaptation of Gloria Steinem’s 2015...
Olivia Wilde Will Direct “Perfect” Biopic of Olympic Gymnast Kerri Strug
Olivia Wilde has an Independent Spirit Award win and a new gig to celebrate this week. On Saturday the multi-hyphenate picked up the Spirit Award for Best First Feature for “Booksmart,”...
Lydia Dean Pilcher and Ginny Mohler’s “Radium Girls” to Open at the Quad
“Radium Girls” will soon be hitting theaters. Lydia Dean Pilcher and Ginny Mohler’s feature directorial debut will open April 3 at the Quad Cinema in New York City, a press release...
Oorlagh George Begins Filming IRA-Inspired Drama “Stranger With a Camera,” Ellie Bamber Stars
Oorlagh George has kicked off principal photography on “Stranger With a Camera,” the Oscar-winning producer’s directorial debut. Screen Daily broke the news. Developed via the...
Zoe Saldana Will Play an Olympic Hopeful in Jasmine McGlade’s “Fencer”
Zoe Saldana is eyeing a trip to the Olympics after battling in space, “Avatar,” and everywhere in between. The actress will play a competitive fencer in new drama, a press release...
Awkwafina Will Play a High Profile Gambler in “The Baccarat Machine”
Awkwafina plays an underachieving stoner in her semi-autobiographical Comedy Central series “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens,” but she’ll step into the shoes of a high roller on the...
Cynthia Erivo to Star in Sci-Fi Thriller “Carrier”
Cynthia Erivo kicked off the week at Sunday’s Oscars, where she was up for two awards and performed, and now word comes that the “Harriet” breakout is set to topline another pic...
Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson Will Topline Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Adaptation of “The Lost Daughter”
Maggie Gyllenhaal has assembled a star-studded cast for her directorial debut. Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson will topline the Oscar-nominated actress’ adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s...
Sarah Adina Smith Directing Ballet Drama “Birds of Paradise,” Kristine Froseth & Diana Silvers Star
Sarah Adina Smith’s latest will be of special interest to fans of “Black Swan” and “Bunheads”: the writer-director of “Buster’s Mal Heart” is working...
Dee Rees Will Write and Direct Big Screen Rendition of “Porgy and Bess” for MGM
It’s wintertime and, thanks to this news, the livin’ is still easy. Dee Rees is writing and directing a big screen adaptation of the Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess” for MGM,...
Rachel Chavkin Will Direct Paramount’s Psychological Thriller “Shrew’s Nest”
A Tony-winning director is set to make her feature directorial debut. Rachel Chavkin, who snagged last year’s Tony for Best Direction of a Musical for “Hadestown,” is locked in to...
Ava DuVernay to Direct Nipsey Hussle Documentary for Netflix
Ava DuVernay’s next film will honor late rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle. She’s set to direct a feature-length documentary about him for Netflix, Deadline confirms. “A...
Sharon Choi, Bong Joon-ho’s Interpreter, Is Working on a Film About Awards Season
Sharon Choi has been a staple on the awards circuit in recent months, taking the stage to accept award after award, most notably at Sunday’s Oscars. Choi has been serving as...
Josephine Decker’s Sundance Winner “Shirley” Acquired by Neon
“Shirley” is continuing its Sundance hot streak. Following its Special Jury Award for Auteur Filmmaking win and the stigma-shattering portrait taken of breastmilk-pumping director...
Meryl Streep Is Backing Rachel Feldman’s Lilly Ledbetter Biopic
Meryl Streep has joined Rachel Feldman’s long-in-the-works biopic about fair pay whistleblower and activist Lilly Ledbetter. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the three-time Oscar winner is...
Miranda July’s “Kajillionaire” Acquired by Focus Features
Focus Features has acquired worldwide rights to Miranda July’s latest hot off its premiere at Sundance Film Festival, where the con-artist comedy was met with positive reviews. A press release...
Radha Blank’s Sundance Winner “The 40-Year-Old Version” Lands at Netflix
Radha Blank’s banner week continues. Just days ago her feature directorial debut, “The 40-Year-Old Version,” landed her the Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic at Sundance Film Festival,...
Brenda Chapman Will Write and Direct “Ghost Squad”
Brenda Chapman is ready to step behind the camera again. Just weeks after the world premiere of “Come Away,” her “Alice in Wonderland” and “Peter Pan” prequel,...
Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick’s “On the Record” Lands at HBO Max Following Sundance Premiere
After much controversy, Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick’s “On the Record” has found a new home. The film made headlines weeks ahead of its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival when...
HBO Max Lands Rights to YA Novel About Korean-American K-Pop Hopeful, Nahnatchka Khan May Direct
Lyla Lee’s YA novel “I’ll Be the One” hasn’t hit shelves yet, but Hollywood seems certain that the story about an aspiring K-Pop star will strike a chord with readers...
Sundance: ACLU Doc “The Fight” Goes to Magnolia Pictures, Elyse Steinberg Co-Directs
Another woman-directed film has secured distribution out of Sundance. “The Fight,” from Elyse Steinberg, Josh Kriegman, and Eli Despres, has been acquired by Magnolia Pictures in “a...
Jodie Foster Is Directing a Drama Inspired by the 1911 Theft of the Mona Lisa
Jodie Foster is already attached to topline and direct a remake of “Woman at War,” Iceland’s submission for 2019’s Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award, and now word comes that...
“Zola” Secures International Distribution via Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions
Florida was just the first stop on Zola’s epic adventure. A24 has sold international distribution rights to “Zola” to Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA). SPWA will...
Ashley Williams to Topline Adaptation of Female Butcher Memoir “Killing It,” Pamela Fryman to Direct
“How I Met Your Mother” alumni Ashley Williams and Pamela Fryman are teaming up for a new project. The former portrayed recurring fan favorite Victoria and the latter directed almost...
“Rafiki” Writer-Director Wanuri Kahiu Will Helm Gotham Group’s Adaptation of “The Black Kids”
“Rafiki” writer-director Wanuri Kahiu is revisiting an important chapter in American history. The Gotham Group has tapped the Kenyan filmmaker to direct “The Black Kids,” a...
Phyllida Lloyd’s “Herself” Acquired by Amazon Studios
“Herself” has found a home. Phyllida Lloyd’s latest made its world premiere at Sundance to strong reviews just days ago, and now word comes that Amazon Studios has snagged North...
“Ammonite” Lands at Neon, Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan Star
A love story starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan is one step closer to hitting the screen. Neon has secured North American rights to Francis Lee’s “Ammonite,” a press release...
Celine Song Will Write and Direct A24’s Korean Romance “Past Lives”
Celine Song is set to make her feature directorial debut. The “Endings” playwright will write and direct Korean romance “Past Lives” for A24. Collider broke the...