Films
Mary Elizabeth Winstead to Star in Eva Vives’ Feature Directorial Debut
Hot off the heels of her turn as con artist-with-a-heart-of-gold Nikki Swango on FX’s “Fargo,” Mary Elizabeth Winstead has booked her next role — and it’s in a woman-helmed film....
Trailer Watch: No One Says What They Mean in Michelle Morgan’s “It Happened in L.A.”
Remember that episode of “30 Rock” where Liz and her boyfriend go to IKEA and suddenly every conversation they have about furniture turns into a metaphor for their relationship? Well, the...
Selma Blair Nabs Rights to Sarah Beth Durst’s “The Lost”
Selma Blair wants us to get lost. The “Kath & Kim” alumna and her production company, Sainted Productions, have snagged the rights to Sarah Beth Durst’s 2013 novel “The Lost,”...
Katie Lovejoy’s Drama Series “Dead Inside” Put Into Development by The CW
Screenwriter Katie Lovejoy’s new project could join the ranks of “Jane the Virgin” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” Deadline confirms that her drama series “Dead Inside” has been put into...
Hilary Swank Toplining Sci-Fi Thriller “I Am Mother”
Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank has lined up her next role. Variety reports that Swank will star in “I Am Mother,” a mother-daughter story with a sci-fi twist. The feature has already begun...
Kathleen Kennedy Calls for Zero Tolerance Policy in Response to Weinstein Abuse Allegations
Lucasfilm prez and producer Kathleen Kennedy delivered the keynote speech at Elle’s Women in Hollywood Event last night and used her platform to acknowledge — and condemn — the...
Meet the NYC and LA First-Time Female Filmmaker Contest Winners
Women and Hollywood has selected the New York and Los Angeles winners and runners up of its First-Time Female Filmmaker Contest, an initiative to help build a pipeline of women directors. The NYC...
Netflix Snags Spec About “Wizard of Oz” and “Alice in Wonderland” Heroines
Two iconic, beloved characters are teaming up for a whole new epic adventure. Netflix has snagged the rights to “Dorothy & Alice,” a spec script inspired by the protagonists of “The Wizard...
Quote of the Day: Sarah Polley on How Directing Made Her More Aware of Hollywood’s Sexism
Actress, writer, and director Sarah Polley is sharing her story about Harvey Weinstein. The producer propositioned Polley, the “Stories We Tell” helmer writes in an opinion piece for the New...
Helen Mirren to Receive the Chaplin Award
Oscar, Golden Globe, Emmy, Olivier, and Tony Award-winner Helen Mirren is set to add yet another trophy to her well-used mantle. The “Eye in the Sky” star will receive The Film Society of...
Weekly Update for October 13: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” Films About Women Opening This Week M.F.A. — Directed by Natalia Leite; Written by Leah McKendrick (Also Available on VOD) “M.F.A.” An art...
Ashley Judd to Receive Honor from Women’s Media Center
Ashley Judd has been using her voice to combat sexism in the film industry for years, and now the Women’s Media Center is recognizing the two-time Golden Globe-nominated actress for doing just...
The Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program Announces This Year’s Participants
The five participants of this year’s Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program have been announced. Launched to provide industry support, funding, and other resources to new...
Firing Harvey Weinstein Was a Start, But Hollywood Needs a Revolution
Every woman I’ve spoken with or seen on social media is gutted right now. We are raw. While some people clearly knew what was going on — at this point many are acknowledging it’s been an...
Quote of the Day: Patty Jenkins on Her Duty to Fight for Equal Pay on “Wonder Woman 2”
“Wonder Woman” helmer and record-smasher extraordinaire Patty Jenkins made headlines last month when, after a long negotiation process, she officially signed on to helm the superheroine sequel...
Reina Gossett Says “Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson” Director Stole Her Work
The director of the new Netflix doc “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson,” David France, has come under fire for allegedly stealing ideas and research from Reina Gossett. Gossett, a...
Trailer Watch: Jennifer Garner’s Family Falls Apart in “The Tribes of Palos Verdes”
A trailer for “The Tribes of Palos Verdes” kicks off with a toast — “to new beginnings, to us.” “It was always my father’s dream to move to California — that we could start a...
Women and Hollywood Announces 10th Anniversary Trailblazer Award Winners
Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot on the set “Wonder Woman”: Warner Bros. Entertainment and THR Women and Hollywood is honored to share the recipients of the Trailblazer Awards, which will be given...
Guest Post: What It’s Like to Be a Fiercely Independent Woman Film Fest Director in the Trenches
Guest Post by Meira Blaustein When I co-founded the Woodstock Film Festival 18 years ago I had no sense of how hard the work would be, and how immense the positive influence on so many people, near...
Patty Jenkins and Geena Davis Named Keynoters at Women in Entertainment Summit
Two Wonder Women are set to deliver keynotes at the the upcoming third annual Women in Entertainment Summit: record-breaking “Wonder Woman” helmer herself, Patty Jenkins, and Oscar-winning...
BFI Encouraging Greater Inclusivity with Film Fund Changes
The British Film Institute (BFI) has renewed its commitment to finding and supporting a wider range of voices and perspectives in its films. ScreenDaily confirms that BFI has introduced several...
Trailer Watch: Rey Is Drawn to the Dark Side in “The Last Jedi”
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” proved that a female protagonist could successfully carry an established and beloved franchise — and now it appears that “The Last Jedi” will set out to...
Maisie Williams Launches Daisy Chain Productions
Arya Stark would definitely approve. “Game of Thrones” star Maisie Williams has launched production company Daisy Chain Productions with actor Bill Milner and producer Dom Santry, ScreenDaily...
Trailer Watch: Alien Elle Fanning Discovers Punk Music in “How to Talk to Girls at Parties”
The trailer for the 1977 London-set “How to Talk to Girls at Parties” begins with Enn (Alex Sharp, Marti Noxon’s “To the Bone”) and his friends attending a concert’s after-party. Hoping...
Keira Knightley to Topline Spy Drama Written by Camilla Blackett
Keira Knightley is joining the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Blake Lively, and Daisy Ridley, all of whom are playing spies in upcoming films. Variety reports that the two-time Oscar nominee has signed...
Trailer Watch: A Throuple Makes Comic Book History in “Professor Marston & The Wonder Women”
“I’m going to inject my ideas right into the thumping heart of America,” announces esteemed psychologist Dr. William Moulton Marston (Luke Evans, “Beauty and the Beast”) in a new trailer...
Quote of the Day: Sally Potter on Being a Feminist vs. Making Feminist Films
Sally Potter is a proud, self-identified feminist. As she told The Guardian in a new interview, everyone on her newest film, the black comedy “The Party,” received equal pay. However, she is...
Trailer Watch: A Little Girl is Sent to a Witch Camp in Rungano Nyoni’s “I Am Not a Witch”
“Now it’s up to you whether to be a goat or a witch,” eight-year-old Shula (Margaret Mulubwa) is told in the first trailer for Rungano Nyoni’s “I Am Not a Witch.” Shula has been accused...
Weekly Update for October 6: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“The Florida Project” Films About Women Opening This Week The Florida Project Set on a stretch of highway just outside the imagined utopia of Disney World, “The Florida Project” follows...
Drama Critic Lyn Gardner to Be Honored at UK Theatre Awards
Drama critic Lyn Gardner will receive the outstanding contribution to British theater prize at the upcoming UK Theatre Awards. According to The Stage, Gardner, who serves as The Guardian’s theater...
Vox Media to Launch “Divided States of Women” Series This Month, Liz Plank to Host
Vox Media is offering a platform for women to discuss issues that affect “every woman in America.” The Hollywood Reporter confirms that the company is launching “Divided States of Women,” a...
Struggles That Define Us: Crowdfunding Picks
We all face personal struggles that are drastically altered and influenced by the world we live in. For this round of crowdfunding picks, we’re looking at shorts centered on the struggle to...
Foreign-Language Oscar Race is 27 Percent Women-Directed
We’ll have to wait until January 23 for Oscar nominations to be announced, but the Academy has released the titles of all of the films competing in the foreign-language Oscar race. According to...
Trailer Watch: The Cards Are Stacked Against Jessica Chastain in “Molly’s Game”
“In this room, you couldn’t buy your win, you couldn’t buy me, and you couldn’t buy a seat at the table,” explains Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) in a new trailer for “Molly’s Game.”...
Liz Hannah to Write MGM’s 9/11 Air Force One Drama “Only Plane in the Sky”
Liz Hannah’s incredible breakout year just got even better. The screenwriter’s debut, “The Post,” bows December 22 and boasts Steven Spielberg as a director and stars Meryl Streep and Tom...
Nicole Kidman to Star in Karyn Kusama’s Next Film
Karyn Kusama is joining forces with Hollywood royalty for her next feature. Nicole Kidman will topline “Destroyer,” an LA-based crime thriller directed by Kusama, The Hollywood Reporter...
Daisy Ridley to Star in “Daddio”
Daisy Ridley’s heading from a galaxy far, far away to New York City. The “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” star has signed on to topline “Daddio,” a spec project penned by Christy Hall....
Dee Rees’ Next Film “Uncivil War” Will Tell Story of the Equal Rights Amendment
Dee Rees is on a roll. Less than a week after news surfaced that the “Pariah” director would helm an adaptation of a Joan Didion’s “The Last Thing He Wanted,” Deadline has confirmed that...
Quote of the Day: Frances McDormand on How Her Feminist Politics Cross Over Into Her Roles
Frances McDormand is well-aware of the kinds of characters she’s known to play — and her own reputation. “I mean, I know I’m profane. And outspoken. But I don’t know, [these roles are]...
Patricia Arquette to Make Feature Directorial Debut with “Love Canal”
Patricia Arquette is stepping behind the camera. Deadline reports that the Oscar-winning actress is set to make her feature debut with “Love Canal,” a drama based on “The Canal,” an upcoming...
Quvenzhané Wallis Adds Author to Her Résumé
Quvenzhané Wallis holds the record for the youngest-ever Best Actress Oscar nominee, and now she’s making her mark on another medium. The 14-year-old “Beasts of the Southern Wild” and...
Clea DuVall & Sally El Hosaini Among Selectees for Universal’s Directors Intensive
Universal Filmed Entertainment Group has announced the first eight filmmakers chosen for its “Directors Intensive: Pitch to Premiere” initiative — and seven of the participants are women....
Lucrecia Martel’s “Zama” Submitted as Argentina’s Foreign-Language Oscar Pick
Lucrecia Martel’s first feature in nine years may earn her an Academy Award nomination. Argentina has submitted “Zama” as their foreign-language Oscar pick, The Hollywood Reporter confirms....
Andrea Arnold Named Jury President of BFI London Film Fest’s Official Competition
“Fish Tank” director Andrea Arnold is heading to the 61st BFI London Film Festival. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that the Oscar-winning filmmaker will lead the official competition’s jury....
Tracy Oliver Writing New “First Wives Club” TV Reboot
Tracy Oliver struck box office gold with “Girls Trip,” and now the screenwriter is tackling a project for the small screen. Deadline reports that she’s signed on to pen a half-hour series...
Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi on Celebrating a “Badass Butch” in “Chavela”
Catherine Gund is an Emmy-nominated producer, director, writer, and activist. Her media work focuses on strategic and sustainable social transformation, arts and culture, HIV/AIDS and reproductive...
Trailer Watch: Three Young Women Are Forced into the Sex Trade in “Trafficked”
“You both owe me 500 men,” Mali (Jessica Obilom) and Amba (Alpa Banker) are told in the new trailer for “Trafficked.” The two young women — from Nigeria and India,...
Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani’s “Let the Corpses Tan” Acquired by Kino Lorber
“Let the Corpses Tan” has found a home weeks after screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. Variety reports that Kino Lorber snagged North American rights to the neo-Western,...
Council of Europe Condemns Gender Bias in Film and Issues Recommendations on How to Fight It
Europe’s leading human rights group, the Council of Europe, has published the Recommendation on Gender Equality in the Audiovisual Sector. In addition to being a strong rebuke to gender inequality...
Meryl Streep to Narrate Women’s Rights Documentary
Meryl Streep and Alicia Keys are teaming up on a short film chronicling the women’s rights movement. The former will narrate “We Rise,” and the latter’s song “We Are Here” will be...
Weekly Update for September 29: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
“Te Ata”: The Chickasaw Nation Films About Women Opening This Week Te Ata — Written by Esther Luttrell (Opens in Oklahoma; Opens October 13 in NY and LA) “Te Ata” (TAY’ AH-TAH) is...