Films
Lauren Greenfield to Make Narrative Debut with “Man Under”
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Lauren Greenfield is set to make her narrative debut. The “Generation Wealth” helmer is stepping behind the camera for indie pic “Man...
Nia DaCosta to Direct “Sleeping with the Enemy” Reboot for Fox Searchlight
Nia DaCosta is breathing new life into another ’90s pic. Late last year it was announced that the “Little Woods” writer-director would helm a “spiritual sequel” to...
Leslye Headland to Direct “American Huckster” for HBO Films
Leslye Headland is following up a never-ending birthday party with an epic con story. The “Russian Doll” co-creator has been tapped to direct “American Huckster” for HBO...
Yulin Kuang to Write “Jade Palace” for New Line
Yulin Kuang has signed on to pen “Jade Palace” for New Line, Deadline confirms. The comedy tells the story of an Asian American woman who returns to New Jersey to help her father manage...
Amy Poehler to Direct Riot Grrrl-Inspired “Moxie” for Netflix
Amy Poehler’s feature directorial debut, “Wine Country,” doesn’t hit Netflix until May, but the Emmy winner has already lined up another project with the streamer. The...
Gurinder Chadha’s Ode to Springsteen “Blinded by the Light” Gets Release Date
Sundance breakout “Blinded by the Light” is slated to hit theaters this August, offering audiences the best possible weather to roll down their windows and blast some Bruce Springsteen on...
Antoinette Nwandu to Adapt Nafissa Thompson-Spires’ “Wash Clean the Bones” for Amazon
Antoinette Nwandu has signed on to pen Amazon Studios’ film adaptation of “Wash Clean the Bones,” a short story from Nafissa Thompson-Spires’ acclaimed 2018 collection,...
Gabrielle Union to Star in & Produce Deborah Riley Draper’s “Coffee Will Make You Black”
Gabrielle Union is set to play double duty for an adaptation of April Sinclair’s 1994 coming-of-age novel “Coffee Will Make You Black.” The “Being Mary Jane” alumna will...
Kim Longinotto’s “Shooting the Mafia” Nabbed by Cohen Media Group
Another woman-directed Sundance pic will receive distribution. Cohen Media Group snagged U.S. rights to Kim Longinotto’s latest documentary, “Shooting the Mafia,” following its recent...
Award-Winning Sundance Docs From Liza Mandelup and Tamara Kotevska Secure Distribution
Two more women-directed Sundance pics have found homes. Liza Mandelup’s “Jawline” and Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov’s “Honeyland” have nabbed...
Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” Acquired by Fox Searchlight, Frances McDormand Stars
Frances McDormand is following up her Oscar-winning performance in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” — and her impassioned acceptance speech calling for more inclusivity...
Melora Walters to Write, Direct, and Star in “Drowning”
Melora Walters is re-teaming with Mira Sorvino. She’ll direct the Oscar winner and co-star with her in indie drama “Drowning.” Deadline confirmed the news. Based on Walters’...
Tuva Novotny’s “Britt-Marie Was Here” Lands at Cohen Media
Cohen Media Group has snagged North American rights to Tuva Novotny’s follow-up to “Blind Spot,” “Britt-Marie Was Here.” Variety broke the news. Based on a bestselling...
Issa López Is Writing and Directing a Revenge Thriller for Legendary
Mexican filmmaker Issa López is set to write and direct another supernatural story. The “Tigers Are Not Afraid” helmer is teaming up with Legendary for an untitled feature. The Hollywood...
Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche Drama “The Truth” Goes to IFC
Two of French cinema’s most celebrated actresses are teaming up for “The Truth,” and IFC Films is set to bring their collaboration to North American audiences. The company snagged...
Sara Colangelo to Direct Drama About 9/11 Lawyer “What Is Life Worth”
Sara Colangelo will follow up “The Kindergarten Teacher” with a biopic. She’s been tapped to helm MadRiver Picture’s “What Is Life Worth,” Deadline reports. Based...
Nisha Ganatra to Direct “Covers” for Universal and Working Title
Nisha Ganatra scored one of the biggest deals out of Sundance 2019 for “Late Night,” and the helmer will follow it up with another high profile project. She’s in negotiations to...
Kelly Marcel to Make Directorial Debut with “Ferryman” Adaptation
Best known for writing the screenplays for “Venom,” “Fifty Shades of Grey,” and “Saving Mr. Banks,” Kelly Marcel is set to make her directorial debut. The BAFTA...
“The Hate U Give” Author Angie Thomas Re-Teaming with Fox for Adaption of Her Next Book
Angie Thomas’ new novel, “On the Come Up,” hits bookshelves today but the story is already on its way to the big screen. The author is re-teaming with Fox 2000, the studio behind...
Brie Larson Sets “Unicorn Store” and “Lady Business” at Netflix
Brie Larson’s feature directorial debut premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival and went on to screen at the 2018 Edinburgh International Film Festival, but after that the...
Sundance: “Knock Down the House,” “Them That Follow,” and More Land Distribution
Sundance doesn’t just present filmmakers with the opportunity to have their films seen — the fest is also a great place to have your work seen by someone who wants to buy it. Gurinder...
Gabriela Cowperthwaite Teaming Up with Dakota Johnson for “The Friend”
Gabriela Cowperthwaite is following up Kate Mara-starrer “Megan Leavey” with another feature inspired by a true story. She’s teaming up with “Suspiria” actress Dakota...
Women Directing 40 Percent of Upcoming Disney Films, CEO Announces
Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Robert Iger made an exciting announcement via Twitter while addressing the 4% Challenge, the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and Time’s Up campaign...
“Westworld’s” Lisa Joy to Make Feature Directorial Debut with Sci-Fi “Reminiscence”
“Westworld” co-creator Lisa Joy is taking on another sci-fi story for her feature directorial debut. She’ll helm “Reminiscence,” a co-production between Kilter Films,...
Elizabeth Banks Set to Direct and Produce “The Grace Year” for Universal
In news that suggests Elizabeth Banks may be the owner of a time-turner, the prolific multi-hyphenate has added yet another project to her slate. She’s signed on to direct and produce...
Chloë Grace Moretz to Topline Roseanne Liang Horror Pic “Shadow in the Cloud”
Roseanne Liang has lined up yet another project. Already attached to direct a feature version of her short “Do No Harm” as well as thriller “Fuse,” the Chinese-New Zealand...
Ava DuVernay’s Array Acquires Sundance Title “Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen”
Ava DuVernay made history at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival when she became the first Black woman to take home the Directing Award for U.S. Dramatic Film. She won the honor for “Middle of...
Chinonye Chukwu to Direct Female-Led Black Panther Drama “A Taste of Power”
Chinonye Chukwu is having a dynamite week. She just premiered her latest film, “Clemency,” at Sundance over the weekend — where it received a standing ovation — and now word...
Apple Snags Global Rights to Minhal Baig’s Feature Debut “Hala”
“Hala” has found a home. Written and directed by Minhal Baig and based on her short of the same name, the coming-of-age story just premiered at Sundance. Apple scooped up worldwide rights...
Julie Dash to Direct Angela Davis Biopic
One trailblazer is set to bring another’s life story to the big screen. Julie Dash, who made history as the first black female director to helm a feature with a theatrical release with...
Joanna Hogg Lands Distribution for “The Souvenir – Part 2” Before “Part 1’s” Sundance Premiere
Another installment of “The Souvenir” is in the works. Ahead of the film’s world premiere at Sundance 2019, A24 has snagged North American rights for its sequel, Deadline confirms....
Doc About Hollywood Gender Discrimination “This Changes Everything” Secures Release
“This Changes Everything,” a documentary investigating Hollywood’s decades of discrimination against women on and off-screen, has nabbed distribution. According to a press...
Sofia Coppola to Direct Apple and A24’s First Film, “On the Rocks”
Sofia Coppola is set to team up with Bill Murray for a third time. The frequent collaborators are joining forces for “On the Rocks,” Apple and A24’s first film partnership, and...
Diane Keaton Cheerleading Comedy “Poms” Gets a Release Date
If you’re looking for Mother’s Day plans, Diane Keaton’s got you covered. The Oscar winner’s latest, “Poms,” hits theaters May 10, Mother’s Day weekend....
Liesl Tommy to Direct Aretha Franklin Biopic, Jennifer Hudson Will Star
Liesl Tommy is making sure Aretha Franklin’s story gets the R-E-S-P-E-C-T it deserves on the big screen. The Tony Award-nominated stage director has been tapped to helm “Respect”...
Jennifer Kent’s Venice Winner “The Nightingale” Goes to IFC
“The Nightingale” will land in theaters this summer. IFC Films has secured U.S. rights to Jennifer Kent’s award-winning follow-up to “The Babadook,” Variety confirms. A...
Weekly Update for January 4: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING Rust Creek – Directed by Jen McGowan; Written by Julie Lipson (Also Available on VOD) An ordinary woman must summon extraordinary courage to survive a nightmare...
“Quantico” Star Yasmine Al Massri to Topline and Produce “Juliet”
Yasmine Al Massri is taking on producing duties for her next project. The “Quantico” and “Miral” actress is set to star in and produce “Juliet,” a feature drama...
Reese Witherspoon Taps Liz Hannah to Write “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” Adaptation
Things are moving forward on Reese Witherspoon’s adaptation of “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.” Deadline confirms Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine is joining forces with...
Another Rosa Parks Biopic Is in the Works
Back in September it was announced that “Daughters of the Dust” writer-director Julie Dash has a drama about Rosa Parks in the works from Invisible Pictures. Now Deadline is reporting...
Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan to Star in Lesbian Romance “Ammonite”
Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan will play unlikely lovers in the next project from writer-director Francis Lee (“God’s Own Country”). According to Deadline, the two actresses are...
Natalie Wood Documentary in the Works at HBO
Natalie Wood is being paid tribute to by her nearest and dearest in a new documentary. A press release from HBO Documentary Films announced that production has kicked off on “Natalie Wood: What...
Actress Daphne Zuniga to Make Feature Directorial Debut
No stranger to twisty drama, “Melrose Place” veteran Daphne Zuniga will be making her feature directorial debut with a thriller. Deadline confirms the actress has signed on to helm...
Pic About Feud Between Actresses Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse in the Works
The rivalry between 19th century stage actresses Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse could be coming to the big screen. A feature about their feud, described as “‘The Favourite’ meets...
Claudia Llosa to Direct “Distancia De Rescate” for Netflix
Claudia Llosa to set to make history. Again. She’s been tapped to become the first Peruvian filmmaker to direct a Netflix film, Deadline reports. Best known as the helmer of “The Milk of...
Sally Potter in Production on Her Next Film, Cast Includes Elle Fanning, Salma Hayek, Laura Linney
Sally Potter is re-teaming with Elle Fanning on her next pic. The “Ginger & Rosa” collaborators are in production on an as-yet untitled feature. Currently filming in Spain, the drama...
Constance Wu in Negotiations to Topline a Rom-Com
Constance Wu may be starring in another romantic comedy. The “Crazy Rich Asians” star is in negotiations to topline an untitled pic for Screen Gems, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. Also...
Jodie Foster Will Star in and Direct English-Language Remake of Iceland’s “Woman at War”
Jodie Foster is going to war. Deadline reports the Oscar winner will topline and direct a remake of “Woman at War,” Iceland’s submission for 2019’s Best Foreign Language Film...
Priyanka Chopra-Led Family Drama from Shonali Bose Is in Production
Priyanka Chopra is taking on a true story for her next project. According to Variety, the “Quantico” actress will star in Shonali Bose’s “The Sky Is Pink.” Currently in...
Sophie Brooks to Direct Adaptation of “You Me Everything” For Lionsgate
Sophie Brooks is shifting her gaze from Brooklyn to the French countryside. The filmmaker will follow up her feature debut, New York-set “The Boy Downstairs,” with an adaptation...
BIFA and Tribeca Winner “Adult Life Skills” Gets U.S. Release Date
“Adult Life Skills” is finally hitting theaters stateside. The British comedy is being released by Screen Media in theaters and On Demand in the U.S. January 18, 2019. Written and...