News
National Sawdust Names Winners of First Female & Non-Binary Composer Contest
National Sawdust, the Brooklyn performance venue, has announced the winners of its inaugural Hildegard Competition for Female and Non-Binary Composers: Kayla Cashetta, X. Lee, and Emma O’Halloran....
Anne Sewitsky’s Sonja Henie Biopic Scores Pre-Sale Deals
Figure skating is back in the news thanks to the PyeongChang Olympics and Margot Robbie-starrer “I, Tonya.” Now another controversial skater has a biopic on the way: three-time Olympic champion...
Trailer Watch: Carey Mulligan Butts Heads with MI5 in “Collateral”
The military, politics, the church, law enforcement: a handful of institutions collide in “Collateral,” the Carey Mulligan-starring drama that premiered last week in the UK. A trailer has...
Winner of NYC’s #GreenlightHer Announced
The winner of #GreenlightHer, New York City’s inaugural women’s screenwriting competition, has been revealed: Patty Carey’s show “Half Life.” The comedy follows a woman juggling the...
Berlinale 2018 Women Directors: Meet Emily Atef — “3 Days in Quiberon”
Emily Atef is an award-winning writer-director. Her credits include “Molly’s Way,” “The Stranger in Me,” and “Kill Me.” She’s one of the six German directors participating in this...
Berlinale 2018: Isabelle Huppert to Lead Anne Fontaine’s New Film, Fest Hosts Gender Equality…
Berlinale 2018: Isabelle Huppert to Lead Anne Fontaine’s New Film, Fest Hosts Gender Equality Events The 68th Berlinale hasn’t reached its midway point yet but it’s already seen the...
Rachel Lee Goldenberg to Direct Pilot for CW Funeral Home Dramedy “Playing Dead”
Rachel Lee Goldenberg has an eclectic résumé: her directorial efforts include upcoming movie musical “Valley Girl,” meta Lifetime TV movie “A Deadly Adoption,” and the pilot for Andrea...
Changes at Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY: Maori Holmes Named Exec Director, Tilane Jones Promoted
Ava DuVernay is weeks away from debuting her first blockbuster, but the “Wrinkle in Time” helmer hasn’t left her independent roots behind. In 2010 the “13th” director founded AFFRM, which...
Berlinale 2018 Women Directors: Meet Tinatin Kajrishvili — “Horizon”
Tinatin Kajrishvil made several short films before her feature debut, “Brides.” The drama premiered at the Berlinale in 2014, where it won the Audience Award, and went on to screen at many...
Time’s Up Dominates BAFTAs, New UK Anti-Harassment Campaign Introduced
The anti-harassment movement has taken the United Kingdom by storm. Less than a week after the BFI and BAFTA introduced new anti-bullying/anti-harassment guidelines, the BAFTA Awards were dominated...
Keira Knightley-Starrer “Colette” and Debra Granik’s “Leave No Trace” Get Release Dates
Two films to score distribution out of Sundance 2018 have received release dates, Keira Knightley-starrer “Colette” and Debra Granik’s father-daughter story “Leave No Trace. ” Bleecker...
Anne Hathaway May Star in Dee Rees’ Joan Didion Adaptation “The Last Thing He Wanted”
Anne Hathaway may be joining Dee Rees’ upcoming Joan Didion adaptation. Variety reports that the Oscar winner is in negotiations to topline political thriller “The Last Thing He Wanted.”...
Olivia Wilde Is Making Her Feature Directorial Debut with “Booksmart”
Olivia Wilde is stepping behind the camera for her feature directorial debut. After helming a couple of music videos and a short, the “House” alumna is teaming up with Annapurna Pictures and...
TV Updates: Julie Plec to Helm “Roswell” Reboot Pilot, “Deadlier Than the Male” Ordered to Series
Another woman has landed her first-ever pilot directing gig. Deadline reports that “Vampire Diaries” co-creator and showrunner Julie Plec will helm the “Roswell” reboot’s pilot. She is the...
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...
Trailer Watch: Michelle Pfeiffer Is in Over Her Head in “Where Is Kyra?”
Michelle Pfeiffer loses her knight in shining armor in a new trailer for Sundance drama “Where Is Kyra?” “Thank God for my mom, she saved my ass,” Kyra (Pfeiffer) says in a new trailer for...
Lone Scherfig to Direct Modern-Day Fairy Tale “Secrets from the Russian Tea Room”
Lone Scherfig’s follow-up to “Their Finest” sees her leaving the London Blitz behind for a modern-day fairy tale set in New York City. The Danish filmmaker has signed on to write and direct...
Trailer Watch: Rooney Mara Refuses to Be Silent in “Mary Magdalene”
“God made you to be a mother,” Rooney Mara is told in a new trailer for “Mary Magdalene.” But she insists that she’s “not made for that life,” and instead decides that she’ll commit...
Berlinale 2018 Women Directors: Meet Janet van den Brand — “Ceres”
Janet van den Brand is a Dutch director currently living in Brussels. Her films have been selected for numerous film festivals including the Generation Kplus competition at the Berlinale in 2013 and...
Oscar Nominee Ildikó Enyedi Is Making Her English-Language Debut, Léa Seydoux to Star
Palme d’Or-winning actress Léa Seydoux has signed on to star in “The Story of My Wife,” the new film from “On Body and Soul” director Ildikó Enyedi. The upcoming pic will focus on a...
“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” Season 4 Premiere Date Announced
The world’s most lovable weirdo is set to make her triumphant return to Netflix. “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’s” fourth season will hit the streamer May 30, Deadline reports. But there’s a...
Berlinale 2018 Women Directors: Meet Katharina Mueckstein — “L’animale”
Katharina Mueckstein made her feature debut with 2013’s “Talea.” She is the co-founder of production company La Banda Film. “L’animale” will premiere at the 2018 Berlinale on...
“Grace and Frankie” Renewed for Season 5
The small screen’s most delightful odd couple is staying put. Less than one month after “Grace and Frankie’s” fourth season dropped comes word that the Netflix series has been renewed for...
Irish Film Board Launches POV Production & Training Scheme for Female Filmmakers
Calling all Irish women writers, directors, and/or producers: Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) has announced a new initiative for female filmmakers. According to Scannain, the...
Valeska Grisebach on Exploring Heroes and Male Mythology in “Western”
Interview by Kelsey Moore Valeska Grisebach’s directorial debut, “Be My Star,” won the Critics’ Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Torino Film Festival’s main prize....
Study: Women Are Underrepresented Onscreen and Off in Korean Film
The Korean Film Commission has released the findings from a study on Korean movies released in 2017 — and the numbers show an obvious gender disparity on both sides of the camera. As Soompi...
“The Chi” Creator Lena Waithe Has a New Show in the Works at TBS
Lena Waithe seems poised to build an empire. Her new Showtime series, “The Chi,” was renewed for a second season just weeks ago, and now comes word that she has another series in development at...
BFI and BAFTA Announce New Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Guidelines
The British Film Institute (BFI) and BAFTA are joining forces to fight bullying and sexual harassment in the UK film industry. Deadline confirms that the two organizations have put together plans...
Pilot Updates: Hannah Simone to Lead “Greatest American Hero,” Zetna Fuentes to Helm “Chiefs”
Pilot news continues to roll in. The previously announced gender-swapped “Greatest American Hero” reboot has found its star: “New Girl’s” Hannah Simone. And CBS drama pilot “Chiefs”...
Tessa Thompson to Star in and Produce Biopic of Jewel Thief Doris Payne
“Ocean’s 8” isn’t the only female-led heist story in the works. “Thor: Ragnarok” star Tessa Thompson has signed on to star in a biopic about legendary American jewel thief Doris Payne,...
AFI Directing Workshop for Women Announces 2018–2019 Participants
AFI has announced the 2018–2019 participants of its Directing Workshop for Women (DWW). Parisa Barani, Zoe Bell, Jessica Kaye, Shilpi Roy, Amber Sealey, Siyou Tan, Carly Usdin, and Talia Zucker...
Trailer Watch: Award-Winning Autism Rom-Com “Keep the Change” Tells a Universal Story
“Because [‘Keep the Change’] deals with the subject of disabilities and specifically autism, people who haven’t yet seen it might dismiss it as a niche film — but it’s not a niche...
Michelle Wolf Has a Netflix Show on the Way
Michelle Wolf is getting her own show. The “Daily Show with Trevor Noah” contributor and writer will host a half-hour weekly talk show on Netflix, the streamer announced in a press release....
Trailer Watch: Lily James Wants to Write About “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”
Juliet Ashton’s (Lily James, “Cinderella”) career is off to a frustrating start in the trailer for “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.” As a journalist, she’s not getting...
Melissa McCarthy to Co-Star with Tiffany Haddish in Andrea Berloff’s “The Kitchen”
Two of Hollywood’s funniest women are teaming up for a project. Melissa McCarthy has joined the cast of mob drama “The Kitchen,” Variety reports. Tiffany Haddish is also starring in the pic,...
Keira Knightley to Topline Spy Thriller “Official Secrets”
Keira Knightley is set to star in another spy story. Just months after signing on to topline a spy drama penned by Camilla Blackett (“Fresh Off the Boat”) comes word that the two-time Oscar...
Bette Midler & Sharon Stone to Star in Film Adaptation of “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife”
Bette Midler and Sharon Stone are taking “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” to the big screen. Variety reports that the pair will star in a film adaptation of the award-winning play, which...
Ava DuVernay, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Producer Dan Lin Launch Inclusion Fund
“Selma”director Ava DuVernay, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and “The Lego Movie” producer Dan Lin have teamed up with the shared goal of giving Hollywood a much-needed makeover. Variety...
Trailer Watch: Carey Mulligan Tries to Solve a Murder in “Collateral”
Carey Mulligan swaps period garb for a badge in “Collateral.” A trailer has dropped for the four-part crime thriller. The Oscar nominee plays Kip Glaspie, a detective determined to find answers...
All-Women Group Plans to Buy London Theater, Make It Venue for Female-Driven Shows
The West End’s Theatre Royal Haymarket might become the London’s next feminist drama venue, thanks to Accalia Arts. The Guardian confirms that the all-women collective have started a...
Alicia Vikander to Topline Adaptation of “The Marsh King’s Daughter”
Alicia Vikander is expanding her ass-kicking résumé. The star of the upcoming “Tomb Raider” reboot is set to topline an adaptation of “The Marsh King’s Daughter,” a best-selling thriller...
WGA Winners: Tina Fey, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Flint,” and More
Offred’s story is still striking a chord. The 70th annual Writers Guild of America Awards took place over the weekend, and Emmy, Golden Globe, and DGA winner “The Handmaid’s Tale” took home...
SAG-AFTRA Unveils Code of Conduct on Sexual Harassment
SAG-AFTRA is the latest organization to publish a code of conduct pertaining to sexual harassment and misconduct. Variety reports that the union introduced its Code of Conduct on Sexual Harassment...
NBC’s Jennifer Salke Takes Over as Head of Amazon Studios
Jennifer Salke is saying goodbye to NBC and hello to Amazon Studios. After six years as entertainment president at NBC, the exec has been hired as the head of Amazon Studios, Variety confirms. Her...
Elizabeth Olsen Will Star in Facebook Dramedy Series from Kit Steinkellner
Elizabeth Olsen portrayed an Instagram influencer in “Ingrid Goes West” and her next project will see her become a social media star in her own right — sort of. The Hollywood Reporter...
“Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami” Release Date Announced
Sophie Fiennes’ Grace Jones doc has a release date. Described by Fiennes as intimate and experiential, “Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami” shows a different side of the iconic...
Trailer Watch: Edie Falco Has a Complex Bond with a Former Student in Lynn Shelton’s “Outside In”
Edie Falco plays a teacher whose work goes far beyond the classroom in Lynn Shelton’s latest. A trailer has arrived for “Outside In,” a drama that sees the “Nurse Jackie” alumna taking on...
Trailer Watch: A Woman Rebuilds Her Life in Kate Davis’ Police Brutality Short Doc “Traffic Stop”
Breaion King is a teacher. She’s the first person in her family to attend college or to get a Master’s degree and she’s determined to earn a PhD. Breaion is also a survivor of police...
Lysa Heslov to Direct Adaptation of YA Hit “This Is Where It Ends”
“Served Like a Girl” director Lysa Heslov has booked her next project. She’ll follow up her award-winning doc about female veterans with an adaptation of Marieke Nijkamp’s hit YA novel...
Jennifer Garner to Topline Lena Dunham’s New HBO Series
Lena Dunham’s next TV project has found its star. Entertainment Weekly confirms that Jennifer Garner will lead “Camping,” a comedy about an outdoorsy weekend gone awry. Dunham is writing and...
WeForShe Announces 2018 WriteHer List
Get used to seeing these names. WeForShe has announced the 2018 WriteHer List, a curated collection of women-penned TV scripts that have been sourced from industry executive favorites. The list...